Undercover Boss
Undercover Boss

Undercover Boss

High-flying executives take extraordinary steps to ensure their companies are fighting fit by going undercover in their own businesses.

In the first episode of this Channel4 second series, David Clarke, Chief Executive hotel chain Best Western, spent five days undercover as new recruit ‘Andy Green.’ His discoveries were mixed: chefs and housekeepers who work beyond the call of duty to maintenance cover ups. On returning to head office, David outlines the lessons he has learnt undercover and ‘reveals’ his true identity to the unsuspecting employees he worked with whilst undercover.

The programme itself has little to do with education itself, but everything to do with leadership and quality assurance. It got me thinking. I would welcome your thoughts and comments, especially those from school inspectors, union officials, headteachers and any Best Western employees (should any stumbleupon this post).

1. The board were ‘eyebrows raised’ by their CEOs announcement and willingness to work the frontline. The employees that supported ‘Andy Green’ were frequently shocked by the true identity of the CEO. What I am most curious about is the impact the programme had on a) the boardroom, b) the wider workforce?

2. The CEO discovered ‘the reality,’ within his company. Do planned lesson observation really discover the reality of teaching within the classroom? I just don’t believe they do.  Would ‘drop-in’ lesson observations be more revealing. Would the unions agree?

3. As its almost impossible for a headteacher to go undercover in their own school, have / do headteachers ever considered a school exchange, without formal announcements?

4. What are the best quality assurance practices within business / schools at present?

I am aware that my Senior Leadership knowledge is incomplete and I would welcome further discourse. Where do you go to learn this stuff? Work experience with Ofsted?

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