I have been a teacher for 30 years, a Headteacher for 15 years and, at the age of 54, this much I know about why OFSTED should stop making 1-4 judgements of schools. Cartoon by Stan Dupp "Schools with good judgements can be brave and develop their curriculum in…
I have been a teacher for 30 years, a Headteacher for 15 years and, at the age of 54, this much I know about how to model the answer to an AQA English Language Paper Two, Question 5, 40 marker. I know I bang on about modelling the thinking-writing-thinking-writing process,…
I have been a teacher for 30 years, a Headteacher for 15 years and, at the age of 54, this much I know about how our school’s values underpin how we all behave. It is hard to find a colleague head teacher who does not think that student behaviour…
I have been a teacher for 30 years, a Headteacher for 15 years and, at the age of 54, this much I know about how the budget squeeze is forcing school leaders to gamble. First, some key data. When I began at Huntington School as head teacher in September 2007…
I have been a teacher for 30 years, a Headteacher for 15 years and, at the age of 54, this much I know about how we own, we shape and we celebrate our curriculum. My friend and collaborator, Tom Sherrington, recently said this of a school’s curriculum: “Your curriculum…
I have been a teacher for 30 years, a Headteacher for 15 years and, at the age of 54, this much I know about the creative writing process, Don McCullin's photography and Vic Goddard's Auntie Vera and Uncle Clay! What inspires art? I have written a…
I have been a teacher for 30 years, a Headteacher for 15 years and, at the age of 54, this much I know about the Don McCullin retrospective exhibition at Tate Britain. I have five heroes, the majority of whom are dead: Seamus Heaney (poetry); Seve Ballesteros (golf); Joe Strummer…
I have been a teacher for 30 years, a Headteacher for 15 years and, at the age of 54, this much I know about looking after our own mental health first. On the day we are officially charged by the DfE with supporting the mental health of our students, I…