This is what parents want too. Parents want to feel that they have done the best by their children, that they have acquired the skills and talents which they will need to make their way in a world that is changing rapidly and where those who are left behind face the danger of increased marginalisation. And I believe that is what teachers want too.
I want to emphasise that everyone in a school - teachers, pupils, parents, classroom assistants, technicians, administration, caretakers, catering staff -are part of a team, and the school is likely to do best where the school team is working well.
That's the reason for the significantly increased numbers of classroom assistants, the work that we're doing on teacher workloads and why I will support and encourage initiatives like Investors in People and school councils. I know it's hard to build and lead a team, particularly when the external pressures are all so great from so many different sources. But I am absolutely convinced that strengthening the school team has to be at the centre of our strategies for improvement and I will do what I can and welcome any suggestions that you have to make.
The team approach cannot stop at the school gates. The school has to be the hub of the community it serves and that means building partnerships and teams -partnerships between primary and secondary schools, schools and universities and colleges, schools and local employers, schools and artistic, cultural and sporting organisations.
This teamwork is difficult and challenging, most of all for you who have to lead it and make it happen, but I am sure it is the way forward.
(Edited from a speech given in Oxford last week)
