Successful difficult conversations

Category: Creating a Great Vision

Take time to rest, recharge, and do something that brings you joy—you deserve it! Here are three ways to truly make the most of your break:
Ok, that’s half way through the school year! It goes by fast doesn’t it? And soon you will be focused on next year. The chess board of who goes where will be out. You’ll try to please everyone and maybe you will, but if not that’s because it’s a tough task to do. So here’s a tool that can help you make those staffing moves for next year better.
75% of school leaders don’t have at least 2 hours to think. You might be thinking, 2 hours! Where am I going to find two hours just for thinking?! That would be amazing (and a luxury). But as a leader, thinking is a critical part of our roles.
You’re a teacher. I’m a teacher. We could get a class of 30 children to listen, to learn, to develop and to behave. So why is it harder with adults?!
It’s a time of year when sickness can increase. We all get ill. Some more than others, but illness is part of life. And most of the time, it is what it is. People are honest about it. They need time to rest. And you suspect nothing other than honesty. But what about when you don’t? When you have that niggle that they aren’t really ill?

I think you and I can agree that: All schools are working hard. No school is ‘coasting’ (I hated that phrase!). Having walked into hundreds of schools I’ve never found a school that isn’t hard working and committed to their children and community, regardless of results or inspection outcome. But what is fascinating is what […]

Environment matters. Why? Because it’s constantly communicating your standards and expectations. It’s also one of the easiest ways to promote higher standards. I’m not talking about spending money on painting walls or putting new carpets in.  No. These cost money.  They are not a reflection of your standards – they are a reflection of your […]

Do you like meeting headteachers that make the impossible happen? Because they are speaking at our conference, Outstanding Against the Odds
This week, let’s look at leadership. Because a key job of leadership is to get everyone on board. To help them be great followers. I don’t mean passive ‘do what I say’ followers. I mean committed to the level you are, problem solving followers. But as leaders we often miss one of the most important ways we can do this. We don’t give them a vision that inspires them [...]

It’s late Friday morning, so it must be time for a story…   There is an Executive Head of three schools. All three schools are situated in tough areas. They don’t have a wealthy benefactor giving them money. Unsurprisingly, they have increased complex needs.   Yet 2 of those schools were judged outstanding in 2024. […]