Search

Old Primary Head

Category

Uncategorized

Mistletoe and Whine

I am really tired. It’s Sunday and the Christmas shop is done and I am left with that looming niggle that I have missed someone or something of major importance out (probably my wife or mother). It is an all... Continue Reading →

Keeping Children in Mainstream – In praise of special schools and being inclusive

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Eleanor Roosevelt I am in a unique position. As the head of a large mainstream (600+) and a 28 place special school, all on one site (intermingled... Continue Reading →

Why We Must Change the Work Culture in Schools

I have been pondering this one for some time. I have no new answers. I do have a perspective and a will to do something about it though. I am in the middle of a wellbeing survey of teachers at... Continue Reading →

Shut Your Mouth – Why I cannot say what I think.

I was once in a governors meeting when I was a deputy head in Tower Hamlets. It was heated. The chair and the head teacher had fallen out over something ridiculous. The head interrupted the chair and he suddenly shot... Continue Reading →

Ofsted DOES NOT… My highlights from the NEW Section 5 Handbook!

I enquired about an issue with @HarfordSean this week and he asked at the end – “What do you think of the new handbook?” I said something along the lines of, “Yeah, I like it…” in the same way as... Continue Reading →

Old Primary Head’s Review of #IL2015

I have been going to this conference for over 6 years now. If you are a head or senior leader in a school and have never been I really recommend you do. I always go away feeling that there is... Continue Reading →

Without Fear or Favour

@imagineinquiry @cherrykd @debrakidd have done a great transcript of the meeting where we all meet @HarfordSean from Ofsted... So, I’ll just have a ramble... It began with @emmaannhardy sniggering at me. I can recommend this as a rather pleasant experience... Continue Reading →

Bully Bully! Why you hate your SLT

Of Bullies and Accomplices: Over the years it has become clear to me that the word bully is a very powerful one. It's origins from the 1500's come from the word "sweetheart" (http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=bully). What a journey!  In the 1600's it... Continue Reading →

Question One – Why do you want to be a teacher?

Why do you want to be a teacher? It's the standard type of interview question, usually the first (sometimes adapted to say ‘at this school’) and it is almost always answered with little real or deep thought. But it is... Continue Reading →

Website Built with WordPress.com.

Up ↑