Senior leadership

Remote learning: How to handle objections from parents

28 October 2020

Whether you have individual pupils self-isolating, or groups of pupils learning from home, you may come across objections from parents about the remote learning you are providing. Ciara Lamb looks at some potential concerns and how we might respond

Complaints & investigations: Why they arise and what to do

26 October 2020

Every school leader will have to handle complaints and oversee subsequent investigations. Expert Dave Verma offers some advice on handling the initial complaint and conducting a professional investigation...

Covid-19: Managing and supporting your school's staff

21 October 2020

With increased staff absence due to Covid-19, increased anxiety among our colleagues, and an ever-changing landscape, supporting and managing our teaching colleagues is a priority for school leaders this year. Employment law expert Jane Hallas offers some tips

Covid-19 and schools: Taking stock and the challenges ahead

7 October 2020

As half-term approaches, Geoff Barton takes stock on the first five weeks of full re-opening and the challenges still facing schools. He covers Ofsted, examinations, remote education, budgets, accountability and life after the pandemic...

Planning your school's digital strategy post-Covid

29 September 2020

With the future still uncertain, digital plans for schools have taken on a new significance and we must ensure that ed-tech can be used effectively both in-school and remotely. Al Kingsley offers some advice and reflections

Stepping up: Taking on your first headship…

22 September 2020

Taking on a new headship is as daunting as it is exciting. Martyn Gordon made the step-up last September. One year on, he speaks with Sean Harris about the experience so far, what leadership lessons he has learnt, and his advice for other new headteachers…

Curriculum impact: Assessment, pace, progress & outcomes

9 September 2020

Having already tackled intent and implementation in SecEd this year, Matt Bromley now turns his attention to the third Ofsted ‘I’ – impact. In the second of two articles, he offers practical advice for schools, focusing on how we teach the curriculum and the pace of pupil progress and outcomes

Four coaching conversations for school leaders

1 July 2020

Coaching can have a positive influence on staff wellbeing, morale and performance in schools. Denise Barrows outlines four particularly powerful coaching conversations that leaders can use to achieve this sort of transformative impact

A school leader in the time of Covid-19: Five leadership lessons

15 June 2020

The challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic are some of the most difficult school leaders will ever face. Continuing her focus this year on leadership lessons learnt from experience and professional reading, Caroline Sherwood considers five relevant leadership lessons

Clarity, communication and flexibility: Preparations ahead of June 15

2 June 2020

As things stand, June 15 will see more students returning to secondary schools. Headteacher Phil Denton is preparing to welcome his year 10s back. He discusses his reflections, practical considerations and the preparations that his team is putting in place

June 15: I will not be re-opening my school until I believe it is safe to do so

26 May 2020

The request that secondary schools lay on ‘face-to-face’ provision for year 10 and 12 students has caused confusion amid unclear and delayed guidance and shambolic government communication. Ben Solly will not be re-opening his school until he believes it is safe to do so

The virtual staffroom: Morale and engagement during lockdown

6 May 2020

During lockdown, we must not neglect staff morale and wellbeing. Denise Barrows looks at how school leaders can deepen trust and connections with and between staff. She considers our one-to-one interactions and how to build a virtual staffroom environment

Leadership during Covid-19: Filtering out the noise

5 May 2020

Cutting out the background noise and acting only on the facts has been headteacher Richard Middlebrook’s mantra since the coronavirus lockdown started. Yvonne Gandy explains

Leadership learning and a baptism of fire

4 May 2020

From television crews to Ofsted judgements, Del Planter quickly put his professional learning into action when he became headteacher for the first time during a tumultuous time. Yvonne Gandy finds out more

Protecting teacher wellbeing during lockdown

29 April 2020

While we are doing all we can to support the wellbeing of our young people during the school closures, we must not forget our teachers. From financial grants to mental health support, Sophie Howells advises

Crisis management for school leaders

28 April 2020

Schools and school leaders will sometimes have to deal with a crisis or emergency situation. Richard Bettsworth offers practical crisis-management advice

Managing remote recruitment during the coronavirus closures

22 April 2020

The prospect of running a recruitment round during lockdown might feel daunting. Xavier Roeseler outlines how you can adapt your current recruitment process while schools are closed, to ensure you can still find the right candidates for your school

Leadership during a crisis: Five crucial traits

14 April 2020

Previously, Jez Bennett explored how we can handle the coronavirus crisis using change-management theory and drawing on lessons from the Apollo 13 mission. He continues his discussion, looking at crucial leadership traits for crisis situations

Handling crisis and change: Lessons from Apollo 13

31 March 2020

Handling crisis and significant change can be incredibly stressful and typically happens in stages. Drawing on change-management theory and the infamous Apollo 13 mission, Jez Bennett looks at how we might handle the coronavirus emergency

Coronavirus: Key messages from latest DfE guidance for schools

22 March 2020

Government guidance published on Sunday (March 22) outlines how schools are expected to operate during the coronavirus pandemic. Former school leader Matt Bromley takes a look and offers his advice

Coronavirus: Crisis management and school closure – issues to consider

18 March 2020

Schools are closing across the UK in the face of the coronavirus emergency. As they prepare to shut their doors, Matt Bromley looks at some of the issues headteachers will need to think about, including practical considerations, supporting staff, the continuation of learning, and safeguarding

SEND and SENCO support: Tenets of best practice

4 March 2020

The high numbers of pupils with SEN are putting a huge strain on school finances – and on SENCOs themselves. Margaret Mulholland looks at some tenets of best practice, what Ofsted wants to see, and how schools can best support their SENCOs

How to make a complaint over an Ofsted inspection

5 February 2020

If your inspection goes wrong, do not suffer in silence. Stephen Rollett explains how school leaders can complain about an inspection, both during the visit or after the fact

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Governing boards and school leadership

15 January 2020

What should governing boards and school leaders expect from one another? Drawing on new guidance, Julie McCulloch looks at the tenets and boundaries of good working practice

Getting your digital strategy right ahead of Bett 2020

15 January 2020

To get the most out of Bett, you should be clear about what your school’s digital strategy looks like above all else. Al Kingsley explains why and how...