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 →
“There is more to life than making a living. Do not work more than you live." Mokokoma Mokhonoana What is it about taking term time holiday that gets so many people hot under the collar? Holiday's are an education. Holiday's... Continue Reading →
On Tuesday night I read the many #Chineseschool tweets thinking, "What is this trying to prove?" That a particular teaching method is better than another? That British children are unruly? That British teaching makes British children less able to learn... Continue Reading →
Old Primary Head 