Momentum and capacity: A story and a proposition for school improvement support
Leading schools is exhausting and never more so when rapid changes are needed and the external climate is uncertain. In this post, I want to share a very personal experience of the challenges this very situation presented for me as a headteacher between 2019 and 2023.
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An outline of the case method approach for SSAT’s Head Cases programme
This is the third and final of a trilogy of blogposts about SSAT’s Head Cases programme, which uses case studies and case methods to explore typical challenges facing headteachers.
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Changing the Conversation
In the face of underlying issues that extend far beyond the school gates it’s easy to feel powerless, helpless. But, even amidst the everyday demands of teaching and school life, there are powerful (and empowering) things we can do. And one of the most powerful is to change the conversation – a conversation about the way we relate to young people, a conversation rooted in listening, support and boundaries.
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High performance – what makes the difference?
Last week a large group of school leaders came together for this year’s Leading Edge conference. This year, we returned to a familiar theme, that of understanding what supports high performance.
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Embedding Formative Assessment: not just a box-ticking exercise but something long-term and meaningful for all
I can confidently say that Embedding Formative Assessment (EFA) programme has completely changed our school for the better. This is evident not only in improvements in attainment, but in the powerful insights our teachers have about how this programme reshaped their work.
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SEND – The direction of travel
There is a crackle of ‘expectation’ or ‘frustration’ around where this government will take SEND provision in England, following increasing media reports of children who are unable to find placements in schools they want to go to, funding for the level of support they require, or schools who ‘do not meet the needs’ of specific children.
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Making the case for effective headteacher preparation: SSAT’s Head Cases programme
Contemplating headship? Concerned that the NPQH, for all its benefits, hasn’t quite given you the experiences that you know you will face in taking up the role? Considering how you might bridge the experiential gap between being a deputy and being the person with their name on the signage? If so, you are crucial to the future of the education system. This post is for you.
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Evidence based reflection of practice
My passion for teaching and learning was re-inspired firstly by TEEP, an evidence-informed teaching and learning framework and training programme. This helped me improve the quality of teaching and student focused learning within my own practice.
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The chaos of leadership: what happens when the storm comes
As school leaders we like to think we are in control; a safe hand at the tiller steering the ship, a wise farmer tending to our crops. All the metaphors for school leadership persuade us that there is order; patterns to follow and interpret.
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The transformative power of coaching in secondary schools: A personal journey
Coaching has become a powerful tool in educational settings, transforming the way teachers develop their practice and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The opportunity to support colleagues in their professional growth and see the tangible impact on learning and teaching has been rewarding.
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