9 February 2021
Our judgement as leaders can become clouded if we allow ourselves to become stressed, anxious or agitated. Principal Ben Solly has put ‘tension-free leadership’ at the heart of his school. He ...
7 January 2021
When it comes to handling crises, Ben Solly has certainly crammed more than his fair share into his seven years of headship. Here – at a time when all school leaders are in crisis management mode ...
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 ...
7 March 2018
Do you recognise and develop the professional capital of the staff in your school? Drawing on research evidence, Ben Solly discusses his take as a school leader on the three key elements – human, ...
7 February 2018
If you are starting a new middle or senior leadership role, Ben Solly recommends having a 100-day plan to help you hit the ground running
24 January 2018
Exactly what is distributed leadership? And how can it help to raise standards? School leader Ben Solly explains the three secrets to distributed leadership – autonomy, capacity and accountability
10 January 2018
As part of SecEd’s series on supply teaching, school leader Ben Solly offers practical advice for supply teachers thinking about returning to the chalkface as a full-time teacher
15 November 2017
SecEd’s supply teaching series continues. Here, school leader Ben Solly offers his behaviour management guidance for those constantly working with new classes from school to school
22 May 2014
The first pay awards under performance-related pay will take place in September. Ben Solly looks at some recent research into this approach, and identifies what schools need to consider before making ...
15 May 2014
In his third article on the implications of the move to Progress 8, school leader Ben Solly identifies some key curriculum decisions that schools must be taking in order to be prepared.
8 May 2014
As we prepare for the introduction of Progress 8, school leader Ben Solly reminds us of the inequalities of the current accountability regime and looks at why this change is long overdue.
3 April 2014
The new Progress 8 performance measure is on its way, bringing with it new benchmarks, floor standards and new challenges for schools. Ben Solly looks at what we know so far.
27 February 2014
Many PE teachers are ahead of the game when using technology effectively in their lessons. Ben Solly considers a few examples.
6 February 2014
Recruitment season is upon us and it is vital that your processes are robust, exacting and clear. School leader Ben Solly highlights the dos and don’ts of a successful recruitment process.
28 November 2013
NQT mentors are a crucial support during your first year. As part of SecEd's NQT special edition, Emma Lee-Potter speaks to three experienced mentors to get some handy ideas and key advice for new ...
21 November 2013
Behaviour management remains one of the key skills that all teachers need to master. School leader Ben Solly offers his advice on adopting a positive approach to your pupils’ behaviour.
14 November 2013
The cogs of middle leadership are among the most important in the school system, but what are the secrets to being a successful and effective middle leader? Ben Solly offers seven key pieces of ...
12 September 2013
September brings with it a fresh start for teachers across the country. School leader Ben Solly offers some ideas for New Year Resolutions that will help you to be the best you can be this year.
6 September 2013
School leader Ben Solly offers his advice on how we can support the effective induction of new teachers, including a specific focus on successful lesson observation strategies.
21 March 2013
The jobs market for teachers has become increasingly difficult to navigate in recent years. School leader Ben Solly offers his advice to young teachers when applying for that dream job.
21 March 2013
More and more teachers are embracing the CPD opportunities that Twitter presents. Following a previous introductory article for SecEd, school leader Ben Solly offers some more advice on making the ...
14 March 2013
Inspired by England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup triumph, Ben Solly argues that the biggest impact on teaching and learning comes when schools focus on those ‘marginal gains’.
7 February 2013
Government cuts and an obsession with competitive sport is not helpful as schools try to create a true Olympic legacy. Ben Solly looks at how we can engage every pupil in PE and teach wider skills at ...
31 January 2013
Whether buying, leasing or asking them to bring their own, trying to equip every student with a device is a challenging exercise and making it sustainable is dependent on several critical issues. ...
22 November 2012
The pressure is on teachers at the moment with a raft of policy change and high profile attacks from politicians and Ofsted. Ben Solly looks at how school leaders can keep their teachers' morale high ...