Fear is a barrier to success
My recent study tour in the West Midlands reaffirmed my current thinking that one of the largest obstacle that stands in the way of school improvement is “fear”. Fear …
Collaboration is key to school improvement
During a recent school study tour in the Midlands a common trait for success emerged – collaboration. Each school on the tour had a unique story with differing contexts …
Are having high expectations delusional?
We are told that we need to have high expectations of students but this mission is regularly aborted with comments such as “they will never be able to do this …
Organisational Health in Schools
“The single greatest advantage any company can achieve is organisational health. Yet it is ignored by most leaders even though its simple, free and available to anyone who wants …
The CORE to holding others to account
The CORE to holding others to account is to promote clarity, openness, reflection and engagement. Holding your colleagues to account is not easy and in many cases can be uncomfortable, …
Inspirational TED Talks about Education
Want something inspirational? We are a few days in our holiday break but I am still waking up as if I need to go to school. The everyday buzz …
5 common elements of student engagement
When I started as a Newly Qualified Teacher in 2007, the concept of student engagement was about how much active “doing” you can cram into a lesson. There is …
The power of the school gate
I agree with Sir Michael Wilshaw that structure in school liberates students to learn. It provides expectations that develop key skills for life after school but also the safety …
Five habits to succeed as an NQT
Ding, Ding, Ding! Newly Qualified Teachers (NQT) make your way to your corners. It’s the end of your first term but it probably feels like you have just finished …
Applying Bruner’s Learning Model
Earlier this week I delivered to a small number of staff a voluntary CPD session on Bruner’s Learning Model as a strategy to support planning for our Inspire curriculum …