Last week I asked ‘how are you?’. Thank you for all of your replies. One theme stood out: well-being. Your team’s. And your own. And it’s a theme that has been around for a while, but it certainly seems more pronounced than ever. So here’s a nice activity (which lends itself to a staff meeting […]

How are you? I mean it, really, how are you? If things are feeling hard right now, you’re not alone. With just weeks until the end of term, uncertain budgets, recruitment being harder than ever, the day to day running of a school brings all sorts of challenges, it’s understandable if it feels hard and […]

Pandemics, strikes, soaring bills, budget shortfalls, recruitment issues and much, much more… All just another day on the job these days, right? Have levels of uncertainty ever felt higher? Many of my conversations with schools these days involve the word ‘but’…. ‘I’d love to develop my leader’s skills to improve their abilities to manage their […]

Another half term is done. Well done YOU. Yes YOU! Because I know what you’re like. You look out for everyone else, supporting and encouraging them, but it’s not always given back to you. So follow my instructions VERY carefully now. Put your arm in the air. Bend it back at the elbow. And pat […]

Yes, that time of year is coming when people will hand in their notice. There might be some people for whom you think it’s a good decision (for them and/or for your school). But it would be understandable if your heart sank, because recruitment isn’t easy right now. Here are 3 ways to think about […]

As you know I meet a lot of school leaders and walk into a lot of schools. Something I notice is that there’s a difference between the schools that are spinning plates and those that are creating heartbeats (a phrase I’m sharing from a wonderful outstanding headteacher I’ve been lucky to know for many years). […]

Welcome back! Summer term here we go! You might have heard the saying: you’re the sum of the 5 people you hang out with the most. I think the same is true of schools: You’re the sum of the 5 schools you hang out with the most. So who are you hanging out with? But […]