There has been a lot of ‘debate’ this week about lesson observations based on the following ‘Starter for Five’ (Advice for new teachers) from mylifeasacynicalteacher. The post advised: Find out what the observers are looking for Give them what they want... Continue Reading →
The curse of knowledge is insidious, because it conceals not only the contents of our thoughts from us but their very form. When we know something well, we don’t realize how abstractly we think about it. And we forget that... Continue Reading →
An over-reliance on past successes is a sure blue print for future failures - Henry Petroski I once worked with a head teacher whose school was graded outstanding and had the following opening lines in Ofsted’s letter to the children,... Continue Reading →
It was my first ever social with governors. It was my second year in teaching – All foppish hair, ideals and green ill-fitting corduroy jacket. I had a pint and we moved to the circle of chairs. There were seven... Continue Reading →
“Fight! Brian, there’s a fight in the Nursery!” I make my way across the hall, in to the Nursery and my jaw drops. Two mothers are entwined on the nursery playground floor, faces red with hate, fingers digging into skin... Continue Reading →
This is the first in a series of blogs I want to write based on mistakes I have made in leadership and what this has taught me. My granddad used to mend broken TV’s and radios. I remember him peering... Continue Reading →
It's time to rethink the way my school approaches lesson observations again. I have not done traditional graded lesson observations for some time now and have flit between thinking this is a good and a bad idea. In truth I... Continue Reading →
“I pity the fool who stands in the way of a parent and their child’s happiness…” If Mr T was Education Minister he may have said this, gold chains dangling in the setting sun casting light across his angry sneer.... Continue Reading →
I wasn’t looking forward to it but once it started it felt great to be back at school this week. At first it was a little like being in the Banksy Caravan Simulator - familiar but disorientating. But as the... Continue Reading →
Old Primary Head 