Why “Internal vs External Support” Risks Becoming a New Source of Unfairness The 2025 Education Inspection Framework (EIF) brings a major shift in how leadership, governance, and improvement capacity are judged.Much of this shift is positive: schools should know themselves... 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 →
“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 →
There was a time when the drawbridge at Castle Ofsted was down and rust had begun to creep along the chains, as tufts of grass sprouted upon the verges. The invitation to the serfs almost welcoming - a bridge over... Continue Reading →
"You seem to be lost in a world of statistics when these headteachers who wrote this letter to their parents yesterday are dealing with the reality and you can quote as many numbers as you like about what you say... Continue Reading →
Once the strange West Country tradition of Carnival is over, winter, like a sad assassin, slowly takes control. I love this time of year. My drive to work is punctuated by the dead leaves eddying as the light wakes up.... Continue Reading →
On Tuesday we will be able to read a ‘state of the nation’ study of England’s education system published by the Institute of Education. It is already causing quite a storm because it is clear that the report will highlight... Continue Reading →
Sometimes in life things can feel unfair. That the die is loaded against you and no matter what you do you are doomed to a predetermined fate. This is no different for me when thinking about school leadership. Therefore, you... Continue Reading →
I want to see you sweating facts and sh*itting stats – Johnson (Peep Show) I have been contacted by so many heads (well over 100) about doing something about SATs but I feel we need to gather our facts and... Continue Reading →
Old Primary Head 