Introduction

I once visited a high school with a mother and her 13-year-old son Adam.We were there for an ‘interview’ to consider his admission after exclusion from another school elsewhere.We were all three on our best behaviour as we listened to the headteacher’s obvious pride in his pupils and their wide range of magnificent achievements,academic, sporting and community. I would have been immensely proud of them too, and their supportive and no doubt, often sacrificial, parents.Anybody would want such a school for their child.Then at last the head turned to Adam and said,‘And what will you bring to our school if you should come here?’‘Nothing but trouble,’ said his weary mother, and that was that!