Short-lived excitement

How exciting to be shortlisted to lead the government's new National College of School Leadership, training the next generation of school teachers, and how disconcerting when the post is readvertised. David Reynolds and David Hopkins, professors of education at Loughborough and Nottingham respectively, are both key figures in the field. But not key enough. The new advertisements stress "vision and creative edge" and "evidence of personal success as a leadership role model" - qualities that are being sought in the private sector.