How School Leaders Can Implement Lessons from Thinking, Fast and Slow By Daniel Kahneman In his bestselling book, Thinking, Fast and Slow. Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman offers a framework for understanding how our mind works and how we can use it more effectively. As a school leader, you are constantly faced with decisions that affect…
Applying The Infinite Game To School Leadership There are many books on leadership some of them hold valuable lessons for school leaders. I find the work of Simon Sinek to be really accessible and usable. I used his book Start With Why when I developed the School of Joy Approach. In his fifth book, The…
School Policies and Systemic Change Systems change slowly, and embedded beliefs, policy and values are slower still to change. No one working in the education system will deny that post-pandemic the system is failing. Failing systems need leaders who are innovative, brave, confident and experienced leaders to drive change within their organisations and influence change…
Tips for Designing Activities To Reduce Processing Demand As an experienced special needs teacher in the United Kingdom, I have learned that it is crucial to design activities that meet the specific processing requirements of my students. There have been discussions about autistic energy and Spoon Theory. This seems to relate to the capacity of…
How Many Senses Do We Have and How Do They Enhance Learning? As teachers, we know that our students learn best when they are engaged and motivated. Regular visitors to this site will know my favourite way to achieve this is to create a multisensory learning environment. Learning for children with SEN can be enhanced…
What is Horizon Scanning & How can it help Identify Future Education Trends? What if something disruptive happens and you don’t notice? A fundamental shift that affects the education system and as a school leader you are not ready to respond to it. This is where a process known as Horizon Scanning comes in. We…
Applying “The Key To Successful Leadership” Quote to Schools The quote “The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.” is attributed to Kenneth H. Blanchard, an American author and management expert who has written many books on leadership, teamwork, and organisational development. He is best known for co-authoring The One Minute Manager series…
Who is Generation Z & How are they Influencing Education? Generation Z, or Gen Z for short, is the generation born between 1997 and 2012. They are the youngest and most diverse cohort in the workforce. All generations have different values, expectations, and preferences than older generations. These ECTs and young teachers grew up with…
Using AI (Appreciative Inquiry not the other AI!) in Coaching Middle Leaders in Schools Appreciative Inquiry is a coaching methodology that focuses on nurturing strengths rather than fixing weaknesses. First pioneered by David Cooperrider in the 1980s, AI involves guiding individuals through a reflective process to unlock their hidden talents, re-energise their passion, and build…
Teachers’ Pension Scheme: Strategies for a Comfortable Retirement As I approach the age where I have to accept I am as close to retirement as I am to the start of my career, I need to start thinking about my pension more seriously. I was also worried by the findings of this news report of…
Why do you want to be a headteacher? & Why do you want to be Headteacher of our school? “Why do you want to be a Headteacher?” is a common and important question for aspiring headteachers, as it allows the interviewer to assess your motivation, vision and suitability for the role. It is important to…
The Role of Middle Leaders/Managers in Schools This post was inspired by this article on how organisations overlook the potential of their middle managers from the Big Think. Since my NPQML I felt that there was a severe undervaluing of middle managers in schools, You can read my naive reflection from the start of my…
As I step outside into the cold air and crunch through the fresh, fluffy snow, the bright white flakes glisten in the morning sun. I gather up a glove full of snow and squash it into a tight ball. This will be our Snowman… Our dressing up style winter Sensory Story uses simple language to…
What is Your Greatest Weakness Interview Tips & Example Answers The interview question “What is your greatest weakness?” will come up in some form during your teacher interview. It may be phrased as “Identify an opportunity for development”, or “Which aspect of your teaching practice do you need to develop further?”. There will be a…
What is Learn, Unlearn, Relearn? Learn, Unlearn, Relearn is a critical process for teacher professional development that allows teachers to stay up-to-date on the latest research and best practices, and to adapt their teaching to the changing needs of their students. Why is it important for teachers to engage in Learn, Unlearn, Relearn? The education…
Using Cardboard Boxes in Pretend Play Cardboard boxes are one of the easiest play resources to acquire for free. As the Founder and Lead Researcher of the Inclusiveteach Project, one of my core focus areas is studying how we can empower creativity and development in children. Pretend play has long been recognised by experts as…
What Research Says About High Expectations and SEN Special Educational Needs (SEN) is a term that encompasses a wide range of learning difficulties, disabilities, and conditions that make it harder for children to learn than most children of the same age. These needs can be broad, ranging from physical disabilities, cognitive impairments, emotional and behavioural…
Choosing an Appropriate Teaching Method for the Outcome you Want. There are a wide variety of teaching methodologies utilised in classrooms today. Each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages based on the learning objectives, subject matter, and needs of students. Selecting the right methodology requires careful consideration of how each strategy engages learners, the…
Effective Communication Approaches for Education Leaders Educational leaders face the complex tasks of managing staff, improving student outcomes, and driving school success. How leaders communicate with teachers, parents, and other stakeholders can greatly impact the school culture and environment. Two relevant communication approaches are crucial conversations and compassionate leadership. Comparing Crucial Conversations & Compassionate Leadership…
Splatter painting is a fun and creative way to make abstract art by flicking, dripping, or throwing paint onto a surface. It can also be a messy activity, so here are some tips on how to choose the right paint, prepare the workspace, and clean up the spills. Types of Paint to Use For Splatter…
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