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How to achieve ‘Outstanding’ stress levels – Ten Tips for School Leaders
Our esteemed leader from OFSTED hit the headlines last week when he dismissed the stress of 2012 as being ‘inadequate’ when compared to the standards of stress he endured back in the 70s…
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Leading CPD Effectively
In these days of tight budgets and external pressures to improve, it is more important than ever for schools to get the most out of their continuing professional development budgets. When professional learning…
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Banning mobile phones could backfire on teachers – NAHT
The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has urged schools to think twice before issuing a potentially impractical and counter-productive ban on mobile phones. Commenting on suggestions by Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw…
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Inspectors to be Inspected – NAHT Launches Independent Audit of Ofsted
More than 2,000 school leaders have condemned proposed changes to the inspection regime for working against standards and driving talented teachers out of the profession. At its annual conference in Harrogate today, the…
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Tapping In – How Schools Can Save Water and Money
With more than half of England now under drought conditions, water conservation has become a hot topic for teachers and school managers alike. Britain is experiencing its worst drought in a generation. Half…
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Why Mr. Gove is Assured Success
I wrote a piece for SMT a few weeks ago on what I believed would be the likely impact of the new types of schools – academies and free schools – which are…
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More teachers taking sick leave and for longer – DfE
Official figures show that more teachers took sickness absence in the 2010-2011 academic year compared with the year before. According to data from the Department for Education: 56 per cent of teachers took sickness…
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Impossible feat – Balancing workload as a school manager
I’m not sure if I really believe in work-life balance. I do for staff, of course. Not for Senior Leaders – I truly don’t believe that you can reach Outstanding with half an…
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Due respect – Why the Gov and Gove should show heads and teachers greater respect
With more than half of headteachers considering leaving the profession citing government policy and unfounded criticism, one former head urges those who remain to stand up for the respect they deserve. I gave up my second headship…
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About Face – Can schools use social media positively or should they steer clear?
Social media and social networking sites often get a bad press when it comes to schools. It seems that any mention of Facebook within the school gates sends senior staff scurrying for the…
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Silent classroom killer? 75% of schools contain deadly asbestos says report
Schools might strive to be healthy, safe environments for students, but hidden asbestos could be putting the very lives of teachers and pupils at risk. New fears have surfaced over the safety of…
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Keeping the wolf from the door – Can schools expand curriculum while facing funding drop?
In what some would say was a proactive move, and others cite as another lot of hot air, education secretary, Michael Gove commissioned a comprehensive review of vocational education in England. The final…
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Why schools do not remove under-performing teachers
From September 2012, schools will be given the powers to performance manage teaching staff more effectively and to remove poorly performing teachers in ‘about a term’ – according to the Department for Education…
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NPQH – A change for the better?
The prerequisite of holding NPQH before becoming a headteacher has finally been removed. As from 8th February this year, applicants will no longer be required to hold the qualification before they take up…
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iFad – The trend for buying overpriced and underused tablet computers for the classroom
More and more schools seem to be jumping on the iPad train to embrace its interactivity and “enhance” the learning for their students but what do these expensive machines actually add to education?…
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What do Your Staff Really Think of You and Your Team?
It has always fascinated me, the boundless enthusiasm with which vitriol is aimed at SLT, and the gulf that seems to exist between “proper” ,or “career” teachers and those who have shinned up…
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Green Around the Gills? The State of Sustainable Schools Policy
This government pledged to be the ‘greenest government ever’ but does their lack of a coordinated approach mean that they are failing sustainable schools? Sustainability has been a hot topic for…
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The Impact of New Types of School
The parents of a ten year old these days might be forgiven for becoming confused about the range of choices open to them for their offspring. My brother and his wife are two…
Don’t use ‘tougher diagnosis’ as excuse to cut SEN support, warns NAHT
The NAHT has welcomed government proposals to link together all agencies of child support – education, health and care – to make it easier for parents to access targeted help for their child…
How to achieve ‘Outstanding’ stress levels – Ten Tips for School Leaders
Our esteemed leader from OFSTED hit the headlines last week when he dismissed the stress of 2012 as being ‘inadequate’ when compared to the standards of stress he endured back in the 70s…
