Every now and then being a school leader means you have to stand up to, or unwillingly meet, the gaze of heartache and conflict. In school leadership you become part of other peoples battles. No one faces this willingly. These... Continue Reading →
Why is it that Ofsted makes so many head teachers go on the immediate defensive? It seems to me that no matter your standing in the Ofsted hierarchy most head teachers or teachers I meet would, if they could, do... Continue Reading →
I can still remember when I first heard the language of judgement in a classroom. I was teaching on an estate in South Bristol. It was 1996 - Education Education Education just a few months away. I was a youngish... Continue Reading →
Yesterday I was a delegate at The Beach Teaching School Alliance (@theBeachTSA) conference called Understanding the Gap. I have a Jeremy Deller print in the loo (rather than toilet- middle class head teacher alert!) It is a print of a... Continue Reading →
The best head teacher I ever worked with died suddenly last week. Neil Tuttiett was the single most important person in my teaching career. As an NQT it was his calm, often funny and passionate leadership approach that helped me... Continue Reading →
I often look towards other people, leaders and leadership for inspiration. I find it in strange places. Recently all these have inspired me to reflect and be better at what I do, which is lead a school… Mandy Harvey on... Continue Reading →
Sarah Belding: Be careful. You're a man who makes people afraid, and that's dangerous. The Stranger: It's what people know about themselves inside that makes 'em afraid. High Plains Drifter This week, as I digested Bomb Evacuation Procedures; witnessed and... Continue Reading →
I'm having a moment. I saw one word yesterday and it's decided to mess with my head. In truth there's not that much to fiddle with. @Hywel_Roberts delivered a Friday the 13th INSET yesterday that covered many things but it... Continue Reading →
"Lead with hope not fear" Michelle Obama A few reasons why I love 'Hopeful Schools' by Mary Myatt 1: The chapters are not too long. I know, I could have started with a humdinger rather than an ode to my own... Continue Reading →
Old Primary Head 