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Successful difficult conversations

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Category: Improve your difficult conversations

Sickness hits budgets hard — but it’s more fixable than you think

Sickness doesn’t just hit the timetable. It hits the budget — and often harder than we realise. Here’s a quick way to see the real picture. Think back to last term (or better still, last year): How many sick days were there? Now multiply that by £150.

Sickness rates creeping up? Here’s how to stay calm and in control.

It’s that time of year again. The bit between half term and Christmas — when coughs, colds, and viruses seem to sweep through schools (it even got me!). And while most absences are completely genuine, it can still feel frustrating and exhausting — especially when you’re already running on fumes.

The parent who keeps coming back — and how to stop the cycle

Every headteacher knows that parent. The one who keeps coming back. Again. And again. You do your best to help, but it never feels resolved. You might even feel your stomach sink when you see them approaching. In this week’s short video, I share a simple framework that keeps you in control.

One quick calculation that calms parent overwhelm

Looking back over this half-term, you might feel like you’ve been dealing with one parent issue after another. It can feel like every parent has a problem. Or that too many parents are frustrated with what the school is doing.

Why is talking about behaviour so hard? (And how to fix it)

Why is talking about behaviour so hard? Behaviour conversations are tougher than performance ones. It’s easier to help someone improve their marking than to change their attitude. If behaviour is the issue, here’s what can help

The most dreaded conversation – and the powerful lesson it teaches

What’s the one difficult conversation people fear the most? The one no one wants to have? Telling someone they smell.

97% Of Schools Have These Annoying People Problems, Do You?

There are 5 common difficult conversations I see time and again in school. I asked 1,489 school leaders which of these difficult conversations they are having with their staff - only 3% had none of them.

Why 65% of difficult conversations fail—and how to fix them

65% of difficult conversations don’t get fixed. The problem comes back. Again and again. Does that sound familiar? It doesn’t have to be this way. I promised. Yes, promise! I’ve seen it.

What adult behaviour would you like to improve across your school?

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?!

Are you one of the 75% of schools who have this issue?

75% of school leaders say they have a ‘difficult person’ in their team (aka the person you struggle to place when planning classes for next year). That makes a hard job (placing people in year groups) even harder. You might find yourself thinking ‘who’s turn is it?’. It’s not great for you, them, your team […]