Ofsted chief proud of 'Dirty Harry' image
The incoming head of Ofsted has told MPs his "tough guy" image will not be a barrier to success in heading England's schools inspection system.
Sir Michael Wilshaw, who heads Academy chain Ark and east London's Mossbourne Academy, has a reputation for enforcing strict discipline.
He told the Commons education committee he had been known to be a bit like Clint Eastwood character "Dirty Harry".
This image could be useful in raising school standards, he suggested.
Sir Michael, who has been named by Education Secretary Michael Gove as his preferred candidate for the post of HM Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills, was appearing before MPs in a pre-appointment hearing.
He was asked whether he thought his "sergeant major" label would improve the perceptions that schools and head teachers have of the schools standards watchdog.
The label was a "piece of journalistic fiction", he said, adding: "In 43 years of my life as a teacher I have never been called a sergeant major."
But he admitted that he had, in an after-dinner speech, referred to himself as being a bit like a Clint Eastwood character. And this had been picked up by a journalist present and reported in the media.
In explanation, he said: "I said in the most challenging schools where the teaching wasn't any good and the staff aren't up to it, the head that has to go in and sort it out is alone."
He added: "Occasionally I've been known to be a bit like Dirty Harry."
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... (BBC News - 1 November)