Let’s start with the football… Manchester City score. Semenyo in with a clever goal... (I'm a life-long Bristol City supporter not a Man City support - I loved this player when he was with us) The away fans roar. The... Continue Reading →
Sorry, this blog is a little messy – but I think it is one of the most important ones I’ve written this year. The issues have been burning away for some time. I came into teaching to educate; to build knowledge, understanding and prepare children... Continue Reading →
This week’s Government announcement of at least £3 billion to expand specialist places within mainstream schools could be a significant moment for creating more inclusive schools. The plan is to create tens of thousands of tailored spaces in local schools,... Continue Reading →
The NEW Ofsted window is open and post-Ofsted feedback is trickling in before any reports are seen. So far, I have heard nothing positive about the overall experience. This got me looking at Ofsted paperwork and in particular the guidance... Continue Reading →
The Weight We Carry After years in headship, I find myself asking questions I never expected. Not about pedagogy, vision, or curriculum but about myself. Do I still have the energy, the resilience, the will to keep going? The longer... Continue Reading →
This week, scientists discovered that your nose gets colder when you’re under stress. If that’s true, there must be a legion of icy-nosed school leaders across the country right now, bracing themselves for November and the looming shadow of Ofsted. ... Continue Reading →
After three decades in education, 22 of those as a headteacher I’ve seen trends rise, fall, and occasionally come back with a new hat. But SEND has morphed from a challenge into a full-blown daily crisis, with a price tag... Continue Reading →
There's a new Sheriff in town—and any excuse-making, low-standard varmint better brace themselves. This isn't just a shift; it's a full-blown reckoning. If you thought the old Ofsted regime was relentless, think again. This new era is all about passion—fearless,... Continue Reading →
In September of this year, we joined a Multi Academy Trust. It didn’t happen overnight. In fact, it was a journey the school took that spanned nearly four years. From initial conversations, which we knew would go nowhere – exploring... Continue Reading →
Old Primary Head 