A governance skills audit 17 January 2018 The importance of a skills audit in securing the governors that your school needs should not be underestimated. Ian Armitage advises
Leadership and staff retention: Organisational structures (part 2) 10 January 2018 Our five-part series on the links between leadership approaches and staff retention and recruitment continues. In part two, Matt Bromley considers the most common organisational structures and how they link to staff satisfaction, motivation and retention
Three challenges for school leaders in 2018 10 January 2018 As the new year begins, what changes do you need to prepare for? Richard Skipper discusses three major challenges waiting for school leaders in 2018
The cornerstones of character: Accountability 10 January 2018 The importance of good accountability in mental health and character education provision has been identified as one of the four cornerstones of best practice. Matt Bawden explores what this might look like
A new era of school business leadership 10 January 2018 Business leadership or management? Stephen Morales reflects on the changing role of the school business professional
Leadership and staff retention: Surgeons vs architects (part 1) 3 January 2018 In a new five-part series, Matt Bromley looks at the links between school leadership and the retention and recruitment of school staff. In part one, he considers research into the different types of leadership approach – and the implications of these for school staff
Effective performance management practices 6 December 2017 Is your school’s performance management helpful or harmful? Maria Cunningham looks at the evidence and explains how to make effective performance management and appraisal systems that contribute to genuine teacher development and improvement
Devising an effective fundraising strategy 29 November 2017 A carefully thought-out fundraising strategy that links closely with your school improvement plan could be considered an essential for schools. Expert Brin Best discusses how to devise an effective fundraising strategy for your school
Staff feedback: How to give hard messages 15 November 2017 Feedback – this time it’s professional. High-quality appraisal and feedback is essential to teachers’ professional development and progress. But the personal element can make these interactions difficult. John Dabell gives some advice
The cornerstones of character: Leadership 15 November 2017 The importance of good leadership in mental health and character education provision has been identified as one of the four cornerstones of best practice. Matt Bawden explores what this might look like
What skills and attributes make a great leader? 15 November 2017 What are the qualities, styles and abilities that make a good leader, especially when it comes to STEM? Simon Quinnell and Gill Gunnill take a look
Successful school-to-school collaboration 1 November 2017 At the heart of the self-improving school system is school-to-school collaboration, but how can collaboration work effectively for the benefit of all involved? Claudia Sumner and Karen Wespieser look at the research evidence
Leadership: Three questions for new headteachers 3 October 2017 What can you expect as you step-up to headship? Liam Donnison speaks to executive principal Peter Rubery, who offers three key questions to help you reflect on the challenges ahead
Pay and conditions: Passing the threshold 27 September 2017 Teachers who have passed the threshold and moved onto the upper pay range should be making ‘substantial and sustained’ contributions to their schools. Brian Rossiter looks at how the threshold system should work and some of the related challenges facing schools
Effective teacher performance review and appraisal practices 13 September 2017 The School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document applies to all maintained schools and the majority of academies. Brian Rossiter shares advice on good appraisal practice as part of the Professional Development Review cycle and performance-related pay
CPD: Pupil-focused and ‘direct’ 13 September 2017 If CPD is to have a positive impact on pupil outcomes, then it has to be ‘direct’. Jessica Brosnan explains how you can redesign your CPD for maximum pupil impact
Finding in-school efficiencies 13 September 2017 New ways to drive efficiencies in a secondary school – five important things to consider. Josh Greaves talks about the challenges schools face in the current economic climate and offers his advice
Leadership: Start as you mean to go on… 6 September 2017 As the new academic year begins, what priorities should school leaders focus on in the coming weeks? Experienced former headteacher Dr Bernard Trafford advises
Arguing the case for a happiness approach 6 September 2017 Happiness is the one thing you need to turbo-charge your pupils and your school, according to Andy Cope. He argues for ‘positive education’ and says that if we get happiness right, results will follow
Centralisation concern over regional collaboratives plan 31 August 2017 The government’s plans for new regional hubs to help drive school improvement continue to spur concerns about centralisation. Sam Phipps updates us
When leadership gets real... 5 July 2017 What’s the result when you combine leadership development with real-life school challenges? Liam Donnison speaks to two aspiring leaders about their recent experiences
Women in school leadership 5 July 2017 The gender gap in school leadership persists. Drawing on research into why gender gaps exist and the self-perceptions of both men and women, school leader Caroline Sherwood offers her own poignant and honest reflections
Ten top tips for headteachers 21 June 2017 This summer, headteacher and SecEd contributor Dr Bernard Trafford retires after a long and successful career. We asked him to give us his top tips for aspiring and new school leaders 1 comment
Every teacher is a teacher of literacy: Speaking and listening skills 21 June 2017 Continuing his series on teaching literacy across the curriculum, Matt Bromley focuses on practical ideas and advice for teachers to boost speaking and listening skills, including six tips to achieve ‘quick wins’
Five unusual questions asked by heads 21 June 2017 Dealing with ice creams, dive-bombing seagulls and romantic attention from parents – Rebecca Oram shares the more unexpected tasks of a school leader...
5 July 2017