SSAT Journal 09 – Summer 2017

The Summer 2017 edition of the SSAT Journal, provides a thought-provoking collection of articles exploring various aspects of education policy and practice. In the Welcome, Sue Williamson, Chief Executive of SSAT, discusses the challenges schools are facing due to funding issues and workload pressures. She emphasises the importance of finding ways to generate income and savings for schools and acknowledges the need to address workload concerns to retain and support excellent teachers.

Tom Middlehurst, from SSAT, delves into the future of education policy in his article “The future of education policy: analysing post-election language.” He highlights key policy areas in the Queen’s Speech, including “good schools for every child,” “fairer funding,” and “major reform of technical education.” Tom discusses the potential impact of these policies on school development and teacher autonomy.

Sarah Ledger, Assistant Headteacher at Acklam Grange School, shares insights on building well-being and autonomy in “How ‘the geek’ helps us build wellbeing and autonomy.” She introduces the concept of ‘the geek’ as an award to recognise and celebrate staff achievements, fostering a positive school culture.

Nicholas Robson, Deputy Head of Holland Park School, offers a different perspective on teacher workload in “Wrestling with responsibility: a different perspective on workload.” He suggests that external demands are not the primary cause of teacher work-life imbalance, and emphasises the importance of individual attitudes and expectations in maintaining work-life balance.

In “System leadership and globalisation: two of the ways SSAT is fulfilling its 30-year mission” David Hopkins from the Institute of Education reflects on his own experience of SSAT and its commitment to the globalisation of school and system reform.

Annie Eagle, Deputy Headteacher, shares how The Romsey School uses learning walks as part of its approach to both student and teacher development in her article “FLAC: a shared language for teaching.”

Articles also discuss a focus on mental health, becoming a multi-academy trust, and apprenticeships in schools.

The SSAT Journal is a benefit available to all staff members located in SSAT member schools.