Almost

Quote: Bigpev "And he has only been there a year, but if i remember there were only about 15 schools nationwide who bothered to nominate their heads, two from Salford. Which is quite a high proportion from a City which is very low down on academic success. I reckon this was an exercise in self promotion the other nominee being the head of Swinton High who gets more coverage in the Advertiser than Hazel Blears.

They should concentrate on improving their schools not their own images
The Head at Hope won the award for Headteachers in the North West, not whether it was actually a nationwide competition?

Not sure what makes you think that John Biddlestone from Swinton High was nominated either?

Also, what criteria are you using for the conclusion that Salford is 'very low down on academic success'? (just made it up by any chance?)

Salford is the 4th best authority in England (out of around 150) at 'adding value' to their secondary school students. Nice to see you celebrating that success.

And besides, why would the fact that Salford was 'very low down on academic success' mean that the headteachers in the area don't deserve recognition?

Swinton High is the 32nd best school in the country (out of around 4000) at 'adding value' to their students. They've posted record results every year since Biddlestone arrived and have been above the national average in each of the last 4 years. They've just been announced as the most improved Performing Arts College in the country, last year received an award from the SSAT for Sustained Improved and were given 'High Performing Specialst School status last year too.

Whether you think this 'an exercise in self-promotion' is pretty much irrelevant, as you've proved that you have very little idea what you're talking about.

The only thing you've posted that might actually be true is that John Biddlestone is in the Advertiser more than Hazle Blears; I sincerely hope that this IS the case as, if it is true, it is thoroughlly well deserved.