Blog: School leadership Tips
Nearly half the heads I talk to raise the same thing. Whatever else is going on in their school, there’s a member of staff whose performance or behaviour isn’t where it needs to be. And a conversation they’ve been putting off. I get why. These conversations feel personal, even when they’re not. Most of us […]
How's your break going?
One of my Mastermind heads showed me how to plan a summer around what actually recharges you
The first two weeks of September shape far more of the parent culture than we realise.
Not through policy.
Through lived experience.
If parent issues felt heavy at times this year, this might help you head into September differently.
As the school year comes to an end, it’s worth pausing for a moment.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been sharing one simple idea:
Your environment is always saying something.
So before the summer break, here's one simple reflection
When a child needs extra help…
Where do they go?
What does that space say?
Environment can imply 'second best' — without us meaning to.
Here's a simple way to look at your intervention spaces differently.
“The environment of both my schools has changed beyond recognition.”
That’s what one executive head told me after an environmental walk.
Not after a big refurbishment.
Not after spending a large sum.
Just after looking at the school differently.
“I used to avoid the staffroom on purpose.”
A head said this to me.
She didn’t want to intrude.
She wanted it to feel like their space.
But one day, she really looked at it.
Old sofa.
Cluttered surfaces.
A noticeboard layered with old messages.
“Nothing awful,” she said.
“But it didn’t reflect how highly I think of my staff.”
You can tell a lot about behaviour from an empty classroom.
No children.
No adults.
Just the room.
Chairs tucked in — or left out.
Books neat — or scattered.
Trays organised — or half open.
No one has said a word.
But the room has.
Every school I’ve met wants to give their children a love of reading.
That’s great. What a gift.
But sadly, most schools don’t look like they do.
If a child walked into your classroom and looked only at the books…
What would they see?
Books facing out, inviting them in?