Elected special school teachers and headteachers

last updated:31 Aug 2009

The following special school teacher and headteachers have been elected to the GTC Council:

Special school teacher - vacancy
Former headteacher - Eric Gledhill
Secondary headteacher - David Lowe

Scroll down for member biographies.

Former headteacher - Eric Gledhill

Eric Gledhill was until September 2009 a primary head teacher and was elected onto the Council in 2008.

A teacher for 34 years, he currently has a part-time teaching position at a small rural primary in the Yorkshire Dales.

'As a GTC Member I seek a representative voice for all.  A highly skilled spinner of more plates than I can count, I aim to ensure that decisions on major issues get a fair hearing from all stakeholders.

'I see work life imbalance, personal well-being, a shortage of applicants for the post of headteacher and stress related absence as key issues that are likely to bring our profession to its knees in coming years.  I feel we must address these matters in tandem with initiatives aimed at driving up standards if we are to move education forward.

'At a recent NCSL seminar two quotes struck me as being very pertinent to survival in our profession at the present time.

‘“Be a principled pragmatist rather than a frustrated perfectionist" and "The pursuit of perfection leads to paralysis."

'Food for thought as I promise colleagues that I will strive to add a hearty dose of "joined up thinking" to the pot at Council meetings.'

Declaration of interests

a) Membership of professional bodies and trade or other associations which is unpaid, either educational or non-educational.

• National Association of Headteachers

Secondary headteacher - David Lowe

David was elected onto the Council in 2008.

'I completed my Teacher Training at Doncaster College of Education after leaving Hattersley Secondary School near Manchester.  I trained to teach English and Physical Education and started my teaching career at a School in Tameside.  I was then appointed to the post of Head of English in Wigan before my appointment to Deputy Headteacher at a school in Blackburn.  I was appointed headteacher at Lostock Hall Community High School in January 1995.

'I studied for a BA degree with the Open University before completing my M.Ed in Management and Administration with the University of Manchester.  My particular areas of interest throughout my career have been professional development, workforce reform, school culture and inclusion.  My most satisfying professional achievement has been working with my staff and governors in leading the school to being recognised as outstanding by Ofsted in November 2007.  Added to that is the fact that the majority of pupils and staff really enjoy attending or working at the school.

'On a personal level, I am married with four children and one grandson.  I enjoy outdoor activities, football, golf, socialising and skiing.  My career must have seemed acceptable because one of my sons has just started in the profession and my daughter is working in education as a psychologist.'

Declaration of interests

b) Any unpaid office held in a professional or public body, including those which are associated with education. Offices include posts such as President, Chair, Chief Executive, Treasurer, Council Member or Secretary.

• Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL)

c) Membership of professional bodies and trade or other associations which is unpaid, either educational or non-educational.

• Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL)