Top level talks

In addition to frequent meetings with DfES ministers in 2006, John Dunford has held one-to-one meetings with Tony Blair this summer and most recently with Gordon Brown.

At both meetings, John conveyed members' priorities and stressed the need to promote partnership working between schools in order to raise achievement across the system.

After these meetings, John said: "It is good that the people at the head of the government understand the importance of talking to secondary school and college leaders about the issues that are of concern to them and us.

"Policy is of little use unless it is firmly linked to implementation. The opportunity to discuss the effect of existing and future government policies is important in ensuring that the practicalities of implementation, as well as the aspirations of ASCL members, are at the forefront of government thinking."