Tristram Jones-Parry
Encyclopedia
Tristram Jones-Parry is a British
former teacher of mathematics
. He was headmaster of Emanuel School
(1994–1998) and Westminster School
(1998-2005), independent schools
in the UK.
Upon his departure from Westminster, Jones-Parry received a great amount of attachment and approval from staff and pupils. He was depicted as "an excellent leader and educator, who devoted his time entirely for the sake of education rather than to building excessive relationship with external high-society figures, who bears a warm heart under a stern appearance, who will always be remembered for picking up rubbish from the Little Dean's Yard
ground." There was rumour that he was in argument with the school council over issues concerning the allocation of funds gathered from benefactors. The council thought the fund should be used for improving school facilities while he was of the opinion that the money should be provided to smart students unable to afford fees.
He became involved in media and political controversy in 2004, when on retiring from independent schools at the age of 58, after 30 years' teaching experience, applied to teach in a state school in order to "give a bit back", but was rejected by the General Teaching Council
on the basis that he had not completed the PGCE
teacher training course which is obligatory for teachers in the state sector but not in the independent schools, insisting also that they were obliged to apply this rule rigidly.
Critics of the decision labelled it “totally absurd”, given Jones-Parry's long teaching experience in leading independent schools, and as Headmaster of Westminster - frequently cited as the most academically successful school in the country. The growing media controversy surrounding the issue, further spotlighted what many saw as a particularly onerous example of bureaucratic pedantry, leading to pressure on the then Education Secretary
Charles Clarke
from his own advisers to change the rules. Following a decision that the rules were necessary in order to preserve standards, the National Union of Teachers
and NASUWT endorsed it, and the Teacher Training Agency stated that a fast-track route for qualified teachers already exists.
Jones-Parry is now manager of the Oxfordshire Further Mathematics Centre.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
former teacher of mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
. He was headmaster of Emanuel School
Emanuel School
Emanuel School is a co-educational independent school in Battersea, south-west London. The school was founded by Lady Dacre and Elizabeth I in 1594. Today it has some 710 pupils, aged between ten and eighteen.-History:...
(1994–1998) and Westminster School
Westminster School
The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain...
(1998-2005), independent schools
Independent school (UK)
An independent school is a school that is not financed through the taxation system by local or national government and is instead funded by private sources, predominantly in the form of tuition charges, gifts and long-term charitable endowments, and so is not subject to the conditions imposed by...
in the UK.
Upon his departure from Westminster, Jones-Parry received a great amount of attachment and approval from staff and pupils. He was depicted as "an excellent leader and educator, who devoted his time entirely for the sake of education rather than to building excessive relationship with external high-society figures, who bears a warm heart under a stern appearance, who will always be remembered for picking up rubbish from the Little Dean's Yard
Little Dean's Yard
Little Dean's Yard, known to Westminster School just as Yard, is a private gated yard at the heart of the school, within the precincts of the ancient monastery of Westminster....
ground." There was rumour that he was in argument with the school council over issues concerning the allocation of funds gathered from benefactors. The council thought the fund should be used for improving school facilities while he was of the opinion that the money should be provided to smart students unable to afford fees.
He became involved in media and political controversy in 2004, when on retiring from independent schools at the age of 58, after 30 years' teaching experience, applied to teach in a state school in order to "give a bit back", but was rejected by the General Teaching Council
General Teaching Council
There are 4 General Teaching Councils within the United Kingdom:* General Teaching Council for England* General Teaching Council for Scotland* *...
on the basis that he had not completed the PGCE
PGCE
PGCE can stand for:* Postgraduate Certificate in Education, an English, Welsh and Northern Irish teacher-training qualification that includes master's credits...
teacher training course which is obligatory for teachers in the state sector but not in the independent schools, insisting also that they were obliged to apply this rule rigidly.
Critics of the decision labelled it “totally absurd”, given Jones-Parry's long teaching experience in leading independent schools, and as Headmaster of Westminster - frequently cited as the most academically successful school in the country. The growing media controversy surrounding the issue, further spotlighted what many saw as a particularly onerous example of bureaucratic pedantry, leading to pressure on the then Education Secretary
Education Secretary
Education Secretary may refer to:* Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Scotland* Secretary for Education * Secretary of Public Education, Mexico* Secretary of State for Education, United Kingdom...
Charles Clarke
Charles Clarke
Charles Rodway Clarke is a British Labour Party politician, who was the Member of Parliament for Norwich South from 1997 until 2010, and served as Home Secretary from December 2004 until May 2006.-Early life:...
from his own advisers to change the rules. Following a decision that the rules were necessary in order to preserve standards, the National Union of Teachers
National Union of Teachers
The National Union of Teachers is a trade union for school teachers in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. It is a member of the Trades Union Congress...
and NASUWT endorsed it, and the Teacher Training Agency stated that a fast-track route for qualified teachers already exists.
Jones-Parry is now manager of the Oxfordshire Further Mathematics Centre.
External links
- 2005 farewell interview and article in The Elizabethan, Westminster School's magazine.