Back in the mists of time a famous battle was fought in Barnet.
In April 1471 the troops of The Earl of Warwick, the Kingmaker, were routed by Edward the IV in a bloody encounter. Now at the beginning of the 21st century two opposing methodologies confront one another, both battling to develop the hearts and minds of our children.

On one side are the state controlled schools locked into a system of the past. Both governments and the local education authorities have blindly poured money into school buildings and infrastructures for years and years. They have not realised that their prime asset is their teaching staff whose initiative is too often stifled and whose skills are underused. Too often teachers cannot teach for they have to discipline today's rebellious pupils; acting as child minders in some ghastly educational battery farm. No wonder teachers feel aggrieved for society has changed but state schools have not. If only the teachers were trusted to organise and administer their schools……
Oh what heresy.

Countering this doctrinaire approach in Barnet is a trio of independent schools whose teachers are encouraged to play a role in the management of their schools. The Trinity specialise in teaching to GCSE and A level standard and are registered as schools by the Department for Education and Skills. These schools use converted houses or other accommodation that engenders a feeling of belonging. They enjoy good reputations because they are delivering success. Their students are happy and motivated and they achieve good results at GCSE and A Level because students are enthusiastically taught in small groups with plenty of individual care. The students in these independent schools have realised that by transferring from local maintained schools they would be encouraged to raise their expectations and achieve higher standards - and they are right!

This is not to say that maintained schools do not achieve. The maintained schools administered by the Barnet Education Authority are judged to be successful, indeed both Barnet and Harrow Schools came close to the top of this year's Education Authority League Table. Hence it is surprising to find that students are increasingly exiting these good schools to pay fees and continue their education at one of the trio of independent schools. Why should this be? What are the parental and student perceptions that are driving this quiet but important revolution?

The main driving force is the quality of the teaching and learning. The teachers are enthusiasts, are multi skilled and love to teach.The teaching groups are small with an optimum of a dozen rather than three or more dozen students. Hence an enthusiastic teacher spends more time teaching and forging individual contacts with each student. Indeed the teaching and learning programmes are individually tailored for each student who has a unique timetable. Academic monitoring by teacher counsellors and vocational experts gives direction to both progress and to university entrance. The Trinity's value added quotients achieved at A level and the ensuing success of their students on entering University have empowered the most effective form of advertising. The Trinity's successes have created an extensive local Grapevine This Grapevine of happy students and their parents should not be underestimated as it has driven the trinity from one success to another as the years have passed. Nothing, one knows, succeeds like success and good news eventually spreads like wildfire.

The Trinity of independent schools do not have money lavished on buildings or excessive ancilliary equipment. Their resources are spent on ensuring that there is a very high ratio of committed teachers and support staff available to assist each student. The formula suits our age where an individual expects to be treated individually. By treating students as young adults rather than children they mature into confident and successful young people well prepared to meet and take on the demands of an ever more competitive world.

The battle lines have certainly been drawn and the signs at present show that the Trinity are fast making ground with their radical new approach. The formula of small focussed teaching groups, where committed and gifted teachers recognise and cater for the needs of each student is what is needed in the 21st century. The new battle of Barnet is being fought and backing is growing for the independents. So 'suivons nous' maintained schools, transform yourselves; divide up your buildings into smaller more homely units. Realise it is the greatest privilege to be able to develop young hearts and minds. So back your teachers and allow them to teach and encourage them to manage their futures.. Redistribute your resources, reduce the irrelevant you educational dinosaurs or you will lose the important battle of Barnet and ultimately, the War.