Successful difficult conversations

Testimonials

Author: Sonia Gill

The bells might be jingling and carols might be singing and the tinsel could be glittering. It’s the most wonderful time of the year (and incredibly busy to fit it all in!). Before we know it’ll be the end of the year and the school gates will be locked for the Christmas holidays. Let’s end […]

Today is the last chance to get early bird tickets for next year’s annual conference ‘Outstanding Against the Odds’.  This year we heard from 5 headteachers who deliver educational excellence in tough contexts.   Headteachers like:   Linda Hothersall and her team at Eastgate Academy serve a community with high deprivation. I’ve been to the […]

It’s hard to talk to someone about their conduct. It doesn’t feel as concrete as something like lateness or not following policy. But it’s so important.  Because conduct is our behaviour. And culture is our behaviour over time – as critical to your school’s success as performance is (and I would suggest it’s more important). […]

Beliefs.We all have them. Some are great, they can help us make good decisions Some are not, they can get in our way.   But limiting beliefs can be hard to spot.   Here’s how you can uncover beliefs that might be limiting you and your school.   Look out for things you assume automatically. […]

We’re all trying to be useful. And I have a lot of free resources that have helped many school leaders. In fact, this video has been watched over 3000 times. Ok, it’s not viral, but it’s a lot.   In fact, you’ll see someone has commented ‘Goodness, why aren’t there more views?’ (and it wasn’t […]

Paul Murphy is the Headteacher, Lancasterian Primary School, Tottenham, London.   It’s a larger than average school, serving a diverse population.    They have a higher than average number of pupils who are eligible for free school meals, speak English as an additional language, have an ECHP and SEN support.   Despite these contextual challenges […]

Half term. Phew! It’s here (or soon will be).   Time to collapse maybe? Get your hair done? Dentist appointment? What else is on the to do list?   Maybe you’re going away for this half term, maybe you’ll be at home.   Whatever your plans, have you planned in time to recuperate?   Recuperation […]

It’s October. Storming season. If all seemed to be going well in Sept, that’s great. But don’t be surprised if a few cracks appear in October. I hope they don’t. But it’s typically when it happens. Don’t worry, it’s normal. Here’s a good rule of thumb for any time of the year. It’ll help you […]

‘Outstanding’ A word that gets all kinds of reactions. Some of these reactions are good, some of them are bad. Some of them are true, some of them are not. It’s a well-known fact that if you want to do better, then learning from the best is one of the quickest ways to do that. […]

Crazy right? 83% of schools. Graded better than good? In the summer term 2023? Against the most recent Ofsted framework!? And they have challenging demographics? Things like high pupil premium, EAL and/or SEND? It’s true. And it’s a reason to celebrate. Because these schools are delivering exceptional education to the communities that arguably need it […]

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