Paul Barnes, headteacher of Cheetham Community School in Manchester, believes that a community school should be the hub of the community it serves. So the school has an open-door policy, which means that he and his staff are accessible to anyone at anytime. Paul's and his staff's commitment to the 100% ethnic composition of the school is such that all the staff are multi-lingual and multi-skilled. As a Muslim himself, Paul's Friday lunchtimes are spent at the local Mosque where he translates the sermon into English for members of the congregation who don't speak Urdu. Parents are constantly in the school, whether for classes in English or flower arranging or just for a chat. Serious issues arise too, such as when Paul helps Miriam, who has a child at the school, face the prospect of deportation.

Video Series: Primary Management
Release Date 2005