September INSET is coming.
Faster than we’d like!
There’ll be the usual – mandatory training, safeguarding updates, maybe some new policies.
It’s one of the few moments in the year when *everyone* is in the room.
So here’s a question:
💡 How could you use INSET to grow culture, not just compliance?
Here are some ideas to spark your thinking. You might do some already, but you might get some new ideas too:
🎤 Flip the mic:
Get staff to lead short sessions – what’s working in their classroom, how they’ve tackled a tricky challenge, or a tool that’s saved them time. You’ve got expertise in the room – use it.
📚 Run a mini TeachMeet:
Give people 5 – 10 mins to share something that’s made a difference. Keep it fast, fun, and focused. You’ll surface great practice *and* boost morale.
💭 Reconnect with purpose:
Start the day with something that reminds everyone why we’re here. A story. A child’s letter. A photo montage from last year. It doesn’t need to be slick – it just needs to be real.
🧠 Invite bold thinking:
Pose a juicy question and give people time to think together:
– “What would it take to make this the best year yet for our pupils?”
– “If we were a truly outstanding team, what would be different?”
This creates space for dreaming and action.
🧩 Cross-team collaboration:
Mix departments, year groups or phases to tackle a shared challenge. Get fresh ideas flowing across the usual boundaries.
You’ll tick off the must-do list.
But don’t miss the opportunity to build belief, alignment, and momentum.
🎯 INSET is a chance to set the tone for the year.
Spotlight Resource
If you’re looking for more inspiration and practical tools to raise your game, come and join us at our flagship conference: Outstanding Against the Odds.
You’ll hear directly from school leaders who are achieving excellence, despite the challenges. It’s real, raw, and full of ideas you can use.
👉 [Book your place here]https://ukheadsup.com/events/outstanding-against-the-odds/