The Headship Lens with Nadia – The myth of the resilient headteacher
The myth of the resilient headteacher I am writing this from me bed today. I have injured my rotator cuff in my right shoulder. According to my GP, this is ‘common in women my age’. Well it hurts. I have been soldering through since December if I’m honest, but this morning, finally I attended an […]
The Myth of the Unshakeable Leader
A blog by Becky The Myth of the Unshakeable Leader Sometimes, when you are a leader, you feel that you must be strong all of the time. That to show any form of emotion is a weakness. That your role is to reassure — to project calm, control, certainty — to give your team the […]
Relational Schools
A blog by Helena. Relational Schools My belief in the power of relationships for learning has been the cornerstone of my career as an educator and school leader. In my early days in the profession, I quickly recognised the importance of building rapport with students and colleagues as the foundation of effective teaching. This become […]
Walkie Talkie
A blog by Nadia Hewstone. ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is often misunderstood, especially when it comes to women. We’re often overlooked, misdiagnosed, or told that our behaviours are simply “too much.” But what if our creativity, energy, and rebellious nature are not weaknesses but signs of a different type of leadership? Reflecting on my […]
Being a research-informed headteacher
A blog by Jasmin Taylor. Background: I have been in education for 15 years now and I am currently a headteacher of a two-form entry primary school. I have been reflecting on my journey of being a being a research informed practitioner. After my second year of teaching, I moved schools for a promotion to […]
Supporting Children’s Mental Health Post-Pandemic: A School’s Journey
A blog by Kelly Doody. As the new Headteacher of a Catholic primary school in South London, my passion for supporting children’s mental health stems not just from my professional experience but also from personal insights. Before stepping into this role, I worked as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) and have always been driven […]
Beyond Resilience: Why Resourcefulness is the Next Step in Youth Development
Blog by Elliot Montgomery, Bioasis Activities Manager, It’s fifty years from now, and the world has blossomed into a vision of ancient beauty reborn. Thriving biomes are now emerging in every direction, blanketing the land with vibrant forests and meadows alive with native flowers. Winding through valleys – flooded by the presence of our beloved […]
Our SEND Journey
Blog by Andrea Grist, Headteacher. I have been a teacher since 1994 and a Headteacher since 2014, taking on my current Headship in May 2022. Our school is a three-form entry setting, soon reducing to two forms, serving a community with high levels of deprivation, SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), and diversity. Around 75% […]
Building trust and overcoming doubt: the first year of headship
Jen Alford, headteacher at Malvern Wells CofE Primary School, speaks candidly about the realities of overcoming imposter syndrome, building strong teams and maintaining work-life balance in the demanding role of headteacher. What was your journey to headship like? I started teaching in Coventry and became a standard leader within 2 years. I never aimed to […]
Dream Catching
Blog post by Helena Marsh. Coaching has the power to catch dreams. It is a powerful tool to recognise, recognise and reflect on thoughts, hopes and worries. As talisman of Native America, dream catchers made of willow hoops and feathers were traditionally used to protect sleepers from nightmares and evil spirits. Native Americans believed that […]