Richard Phillips is head of maths at a school serving one of the city's most deprived communities, and believes middle leaders should resist intervention.
However, teaching expert John Bayley would like him to be more hands on with his department at Kings High, in Bournemouth.
Richard, a former Naval weapons engineer, is part of the school's efforts to raise its GCSE A-C attainment levels above the current 15 per cent level, with maths one of the key subjects targeted.
Richard is working with former university lecturer Mark Caplin, now a teacher reaching the end of his NQT year. Mark finds managing a classroom of pupils a challenge after his compliant undergraduates.
Richard offers advice, but feels his team need to arrive at their own conclusions during observation and feedback. Can John Bayley convince him to change his techniques?
