Does it matter that the new Ofsted Chief has never taught?
Amanda Speilman was announced as the next Ofsted chief this week. She has never taught. Is this a problem?
Stories about Uncategorized
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Why representation matters
Seeing Black people in positions of authority is important for all ppl, Black and non.
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Why thinking is as important as doing
Schools need to stop worshipping at the alter of busy. Here are tips to carve out time for reflection. (521 words) Life in schools is fast paced There is always something to do. We can also worship a little at the cult of busy. ‘I’ve got so much to do.’ ‘I have to plan for x.’ […]
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4 ways for education companies to make better connections with school leaders on social media
As an Assistant Headteacher I often get company representatives contact me via LinkedIn and Twitter trying to interest me in their professional services. Some get it right, others not so much. Here are 4 tips for companies selling educational services or products when trying to get new business from school leaders via social media. (757 […]
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What does the Prevent strategy actually prevent?
The ‘Prevent‘ strategy is meant to stop people be drawn into terrorism. It’s quite high profile in schools at the moment. Recently I thought about the possible effects in adults’ interactions with young people in schools. (67 words) What does Prevent actually prevent? Terrorism? Freedom of speech? People being killed? Opportunity to express dissent? […]
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A message for my fellow idealists
‘You’re too idealistic, Iesha. That’s not how things really work. It’s not possible.’ Is something I’ve heard many times personally and professionally. Idealism is seen as a nice luxury but for me it’s essential. (145 words) Being an idealist is frustrating sometimes but what other way is there to live? To be any other […]
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Hierarchies
At my most idealistic, I feel that education can be a great way to challenge the status quo. That’s what I truly believe and part of why I have stayed. As a class teacher I challenge my students to question things – even things that I have taught them. As a school leader, I routinely ask those I work with in all […]
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Small acts of creation
“Your job cannot contain the sum total of who you are and what you want to make” We have three children; in August they will be five, two and two. We were so smug in our evening routine that got them off to bed fairly early and gave us space to spend time together – […]
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No advantages?
I attended a conference event recently which had the most diverse range of speakers of any event that I can remember attending. What made it especially interesting was that it was aimed at a mainstream audience and was not specifically marketed for a particular minority or gender. It was also located outside of the obvious […]
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How our own education shapes us
This week I’ve come across the educational biographies of two influential thinkers in the educational world. One, Laura McInerney has just been appointed to the board of the Teacher Development Trust, a promising organisation committed to ensuring high quality professional development for teachers. The other, Sir Ken Robinson, was recently interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s […]