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June 1, 2023

Listen to this Twitter Spaces podcast the importance of effective school self-evaluation (SEF) for improving pupil outcomes. EdEvaluate provides a solution with pre-written questions and automatic generation of areas for improvement.

June 1, 2023

Do you know how much money you need in order to retire? Do you know when you ca retire? Wesleyan Financial Services answers these and many other questions in an easy to understand format.

June 1, 2023

Leadership literature is drowning in abstract theories and models of heroic leadership, but an agreed definition of the term is elusive. School leadership suffers from this lack of clarity and consensus. Generic approaches to school improvement dominate the sector, which have left the workforce feeling anything but 'well led'. What exactly should school leaders know and do? How do we put 'substance' back into school leadership?  This book draws on research evidence to explore the specific things that expert leaders know and do, arguing for a notion of school leadership rooted in the realities of leaders' daily experiences. It presents a case for how school leaders can develop their expertise and, in doing so, places domain-specific knowledge at the heart of school improvement efforts.  Leaders With Substance is not a handbook. It sets out to change the way we think of leadership and school improvement. It is both a critique, a manifesto, and a call to arms. What do we think? This book provides practical advice and strategies for leaders to create a vision, build relationships, and lead with integrity. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be an effective leader and how to cultivate the substance that is necessary for success.

June 1, 2023

Uncertainty is a fact of life. You can never know enough to make perfect decisions. Understanding this helps us balance an awareness of our tendency towards overconfidence with an acceptance of our own fallibility.  The book discusses two opposed models of school improvement: the deficit model (which assumes problems are someone's fault) and the surplus model (which assumes problems are unintended systemic flaws). By aligning ourselves to a surplus model we can create a system of Intelligent Accountability.  The principles that make this possible are trust, accountability and fairness. While we thrive when trusted, unless someone cares about - and is holding us to account - for what we do, we're unlikely to be our best. Some teachers deserve more trust and require less scrutiny than others, but in order to satisfy the demands of equality we end up treating all teachers as equally untrustworthy. The more we trust teachers, the more autonomy they should be given. To pursue a system of fair inequality we must accept that autonomy must be earned. What do we think? A thought-provoking book that challenges traditional approaches to accountability in teaching in a well written and easy to follow format.

June 1, 2023

"Leadership: Being, Knowing, Doing" by Stephen Tierney is a book that talks about how to be a good leader in education. It explains the ideas of practical wisdom and good judgment, which are important for making the right decisions. The book is divided into three parts: Ways of Being, Ways of Knowing, and Ways of Doing. Each part has different aspects that are necessary for effective leadership. The author shares examples from his own experience to show how these ideas can be applied in real life. The book aims to help leaders improve their skills and inspire future leaders to grow.  Favourite quote: ‘Phronesis is an Ancient Greek word for a type of wisdom associated with practical action. It is about good judgment and good character. At its core, it is about the ability to discern how best to act. Practical wisdom involves acting thoughtfully and virtuously and encouraging others to do the same. Virtue, thought and action, which coalesce in effective leadership, I have termed the Way of Being, Way of Knowing, and Way of Doing.’ What do we think? "Leadership: Being, Knowing, Doing" by Stephen Tierney is a book that explores the principles and practices of effective leadership in the education sector. The book covers a range of topics, including the importance of being an authentic and ethical leader, the role of knowledge and expertise in leadership, and the skills and strategies needed to effectively lead and manage schools.

June 2, 2023

If there is one thing that school leaders need to get right, it is school culture. When they do, children learn more and colleagues have a stronger sense of purpose - they are more motivated and ultimately more fulfilled. Creating a strong culture and a positive climate requires an understanding of the complexity of school life and this begins by building knowledge. This book supports leaders to do just that. Drawing on ideas from different domains, this insightful book reveals the role of concepts such as autonomy and trust in school improvement. Each chapter sets out the specific knowledge and expertise required by school leaders for great cultural leadership and offers practical examples and case studies to show how they can be applied in different school contexts. Creating a Strong Culture and Positive Climate in Schools is an essential lens through which to examine the common problems faced by school leaders. It is invaluable reading for all those wanting to become more expert in school leadership and to better solve the everyday problems that arise from leading a school. What do we think? "Creating a Culture" is a must-read book. It offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the factors that shape school culture and provides practical strategies for building a positive and supportive climate for all students and staff." Quotes from the book "Culture is the underlying set of beliefs, values, and assumptions that shape the behavior of a group of people." "A positive school culture is one in which staff and students feel safe, respected, and valued, and are committed to achieving high standards of excellence." "Effective communication is essential to building trust, fostering collaboration, and creating a positive school culture."

June 2, 2023

From influential Executive Headteacher Nick Hart comes Impact, a practical framework for improving outcomes for children in both primary and secondary classrooms, helping them thrive and succeed. Impact provides a strategy for thinking about, planning for and maximising the impact of teaching in your school. All educational establishments require leaders and teachers who can make a difference, regardless of the community context, age range or Ofsted grading of the school. This book condenses the knowledge that educators need and offers practical steps to improve academic attainment and progress, as well as pastoral outcomes such as social and emotional development, behaviour, attendance and wellbeing. Impact is ideal for the aspiring middle leader striving to make a difference in their school, the middle leader tasked with raising standards in their subject or phase, and the senior leader working on school improvement. Nick Hart identifies a five-part framework for understanding what impact really looks like, helping educators at all levels to plan for and recognise the difference they can make in their classroom, department or school. What do we think? This book is the perfect tool to inform professional development, subject action plans and school development plans in a very practical way.

June 1, 2023

Amidst the voices questioning the efficacy and morality of the UK's current education system comes a compelling book by Angela Browne, star of the BBC2 documentary series School, offering a new, positive, ground-up approach to leading a school in times of challenge. This essential guide presents a crucial approach to ethical school leadership that places primary and secondary school leaders at the forefront of change in the education system. It provides an in-depth, realistic look at the current system, enabling school leaders to understand and contextualise their roles, before offering practical solutions to help them develop their leadership style, navigate the challenges they face and have a significant impact on their school and wider community. Written in the context of an education system on the edge of a crisis, with students burning out, staff walking out and schools under increasing pressure to singlehandedly provide the social care so many young people desperately need, Lighting the Way argues that schools stand on the threshold of a new way forward. Angela uses her wealth of experience to show school leaders the path to being torchbearers, leading children with purpose, staff with integrity and the community towards wisdom with practical strategies, optimism and guidance. What do we think? The book provides a compelling argument for the importance of ethical leadership in schools, emphasising the positive impact it can have on both students and staff. Angela draws on a wealth of research and real-world examples to demonstrate how ethical leadership can improve school culture, foster trust and respect among stakeholders, and ultimately lead to better outcomes for students. With practical advice and strategies for leaders to develop their ethical leadership skills, including how to build relationships, make tough decisions, and create a values-driven school culture.

June 1, 2023

Education Exposed 2 follows on from Sam Strickland's first book, Education Exposed. The book is a pacy, punchy and forthright critique of how to drive the curriculum, behaviour and teaching within a school and the pivotal role that leadership plays in pursuing the halcyon dream. The book is neatly laid out, with each chapter identifying common curricular misconceptions, posing lots of key questions to consider and offering multiple practical ideas that you can take away. Every chapter ends with five key takeaway points for you to carefully consider. The book neatly interplays theory, research, Sam's expertise and experience coupled with a practical and real world approach. The first section of the book champions the importance of the curriculum and knowledge. The second section examines behaviour and how this can be driven by senior leaders coupled routine driven approach to learning. This section also takes you through a series of curriculum tools and teaching approaches that will assist you in thinking about how to implement and drive the curriculum. The third section of the book examines leadership; how leaders can champion the teacher as the expert and how a school culture can be supported and monitored carefully. Education Exposed 2 is relevant for anyone working in a school, irrespective of their position or role. It is designed to be an accessible, versatile and quick read. Equally, it can be used as a dip-in and dip-out guide. Multiple practical approaches and strategies are offered as key take-away points. What do we think? Sam's ideas are based on his extensive experience as an educator and school leader, giving him a grounded and realistic perspective which reflects in the book. It's a must-read for anyone interested in improving the curriculum, behaviour and teaching within a school, as it provides insightful analysis and practical recommendations for addressing the challenges facing the education system today. Strickland's writing style is engaging and accessible, making complex concepts easy to understand.

June 5, 2023

Some great tips for would be leaders.

June 4, 2023

A useful list of Blogs to read for leaders

June 4, 2023

3 Steps to Implement Change

June 4, 2023

A great list of the best wellbeing podcasts we’ve listened to.

June 4, 2023

A handy list of interview questions for a pastoral lead role

June 4, 2023

A useful list of interview questions for teachers.

June 4, 2023

Why we created a planner and how something that is so simple can be so helpful to many.

June 4, 2023

One of our most popular blogs! A useful list of our favourite quotes for you to use.

June 4, 2023

Coaching is a great tool to use at performance reviews, and here are some handy questions for you.

June 4, 2023

Another great list of interview questions - this time for a SENCO role.

June 4, 2023

Wellbeing podcasts to listen too.

June 4, 2023

Our most popular blog about creating good routines and habits.

June 4, 2023

Some handy tips to increase your resilience whilst looking after your wellbeing.

June 4, 2023

A great list of ideas for you to ask at your interview with regards to safeguarding.

June 4, 2023

A useful list of interview questions for a safeguarding role.

June 4, 2023

A great list of interview questions for a headteacher or school leader role.

June 4, 2023

A great collection of resources to help you look after yours and others wellbeing.

June 4, 2023

An extensive list of CPD resources for teachers and school leaders

June 4, 2023

Some useful reminders on how to look after your wellbeing.

June 4, 2023

We don’t always need to add more jobs to our to-do list. It’s ok not to do so every now and then.

June 4, 2023

Writing a SEF can be a time consuming and stressful process. We share top tips for creating a meaningful and actionable evaluation form. ‍

June 4, 2023

Being a headteacher is a highly rewarding and enjoyable role. However, it can be difficult look after your own wellbeing as you start your first headship.

June 4, 2023

Some handy tips for starting out as a headteacher

June 4, 2023

A handy list of suggestions for you to include in your end of year reports.

June 4, 2023

Goal setting is an essential aspect of achieving success, as it enables you to establish a clear direction and purpose for yourself and others around you.