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The VAR Problem in Education: Why Small Details Shouldn’t Define a Whole School

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 →

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More Than Schools? Why Expanding Expectations on Schools is Unsustainable

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 →

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Can an Ofsted Inspection show Compassion and Empathy? And does it really matter?

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 →

Challenges in SEND: Accountability vs Actual Needs

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 →

Atelophobia – why school leaders fear mistakes

Atelophobia is an extreme fear of imperfection. Someone with this disorder may be terrified of making mistakes, or go to great lengths to avoid new situations because they can't guarantee that they'll succeed. The current education system is adding to School Leader Atelophobia... Continue Reading →

The Leadership School of Hard Knocks – 25 Years to Life…

Serving our communities shouldn’t feel like a life sentence. I spoke to an ex colleague last week. Asking how they were getting on in their second year of headship. I knew them well and had helped them through some tough... Continue Reading →

Lessons Learnt from Failing

Recently, I faced the fact that I had failed at something – quite publicly and dramatically - and it really hurt. I had a role of responsibility and I could not do it as I believed others felt I should... Continue Reading →

Building Bridges out of Sand- A head teachers rant about Covid19 school support.

“Nothing is built on stone; All is built on sand, but we must build as if the sand were stone.” Jorge Luis Borges Memory of another time, not so long ago, has washed away… I can not remember what my... Continue Reading →

A Sturdy Shillelagh: A recount of expanding provision

A week in education can be many sparks of time, fast, slow but there’s always an end.. here’s my reflection on last week. This week there have been times I have felt like a stranded astronaut staring out at the... Continue Reading →

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