Coronavirus crisis will widen the attainment gap 1 April 2020 It seems inevitable that the coronavirus national crisis will further widen the attainment gap between rich and poor, says Susannah Hardyman
Coronavirus: Worried, afraid, but our teaching heroes are not shirking from their public service duty 26 March 2020 We are worried, we are afraid – but we are not shirking from our public service duty. Paul Whiteman praises our heroic school staff for their response in face of the coronavirus outbreak and outlines the further action and support that school leaders want to see from the government
Coronavirus: 'I am not ashamed to admit that I am worried' 25 March 2020 Before the official coronavirus shutdown, Uppingham Community College was forced to close its doors because of acute staff shortages. A heartfelt letter written at 3am by principal Ben Solly explained the decision and led to a wave of support from the school community...
Funding: Drastic action is needed 19 March 2020 The spectre of school finances has been a persistent force since our headteacher diarist took on her first headship. Balancing the books looks likely to be one of the hardest battles she will face...
Coronavirus: The vital role of school cleaners 16 March 2020 As the coronavirus crisis continues, the risks to school cleaners seem to have been forgotten, says Jon Richards
A life and a legacy: Stephen Lawrence Day 11 March 2020 April 22 is Stephen Lawrence Day, when schools are being urged to use free resources to empower young people to live their best lives. Deborah Lawson explains
Zero tolerance dictatorships... 11 March 2020 Too many people seem to think that schools should be run as dictatorships rather than as empathic systems reflecting the kind of society we want to live in
Diary of an NQT: Keeping up with the workload 9 March 2020 With exams approaching, SecEd's NQT diarist has more on his plate than ever, but is still finding the time to attend important CPD opportunities...
Replacing comparable outcomes with pupil passports 9 March 2020 What big change would you make to England’s education system? How about replacing comparable outcomes with pupil passports? Geoff Barton explains
At the chalkface: The school photograph 5 March 2020 Hopefully there will always be some pupils who will resist this conformity. Even at my crusty old grammar school, there were always some wags who managed to sabotage things – like the enormous whole school photo...
Diary of a Headteacher: Boosting recruitment and retention 4 March 2020 Recruitment and retention challenges continue to face the sector, but what action as school leaders can we take? Our headteacher diarist began with a focus on behaviour and time…
It’s time to #PauseOfsted 4 March 2020 Ofsted is unable to operate its new framework competently. Change is needed, which is why the #PauseOfsted campaign is timely and welcome, says Dr Mary Bousted
The Wellbeing Award for Schools 26 February 2020 Schools are taking the initiative in nurturing wellbeing and supporting better mental health via the Wellbeing Award for Schools. Philippa Stobbs explains
What is your leadership ‘why’? 25 February 2020 Are you a school leader? If so, what is your leadership 'why'? SecEd's headteacher diarist wants us to remember why we became a teacher – and a leader – in the first place
A more ethical system for supply teachers 12 February 2020 Supply teachers are the backbone of our education system, yet are falling victim to the government’s race to the bottom on wages, says Chris Keates
Stuck schools? An unhelpful narrative 5 February 2020 Ofsted’s latest research report creates another negative and unhelpful label for those schools working in some of the most challenging circumstances...
Evidence for 'antagonistic unions’ claim is flimsy at best? 5 February 2020 Ofsted’s accusation that ‘antagonistic unions’ are a barrier to improvement is based on evidence so flimsy it is embarrassing, says Jon Richards
At the chalkface: Welcome to Dom’s world 5 February 2020 Dominic Cummings is holding sway – and Mr Watermelon Piccaninny Letter Box has stormed it. Dear me, couldn’t we even beat this lot of chancers? Well, no.
Leadership pay: A fait accompli? 3 February 2020 The STRB is not reporting its recommendations for the September 2020 pay rise until April – and yet the government has already outlined what it wants to see happen. Paul Whiteman is concerned
Diary of an NQT: The exam countdown begins 3 February 2020 The NQT year is half-way through and thoughts are now turning to examination preparation...
Niente senza gioia – nothing without joy 29 January 2020 Do you love teaching? But what do you do to ensure that you enjoy your lessons and your subject? Remember, says Martin Matthews, enjoyment is catching…
Diary of a Headteacher: Live for the challenge 28 January 2020 Having always worked in schools in challenging circumstances, our headteacher diarist reflects on what it is about these difficult contexts that motivates her to succeed...
At the chalkface: Get cultured, or else! 25 January 2020 There seemed to be only two cultures. High, White, posh and patrician. Good. And the rest. Bad. I was force-fed the former for years ‘til it came out of my ears
Differentiation: A plea to Ofsted 22 January 2020 Please Ofsted – how can we address the gaps in learning within our classes of 30 children without elaborately differentiating our teaching intent? Dr Adam Abdelnoor asks the question...
How accountability must change 22 January 2020 What is accountability for, who is accountable and when will schools be able to welcome inspectors as informed, objective, supportive and empowering colleagues? Deborah Lawson asks the questions
22 January 2020