Leading an inclusive school requires more than policy — it takes purpose. This category shares leadership insights, inclusion audits, staff CPD ideas, and SEND-focused strategy for school leaders and SENCOs.
Whether you’re managing provision, supporting teaching assistants, or embedding neurodiversity-affirming practice across your setting, these posts offer grounded, thoughtful support for inclusion-minded leaders.
Running a special school right now feels a bit like trying to build a shelter in the middle of a hurricane. On one hand, the children coming through our doors have increasingly complex, multi-layered learning difficulties and medical needs. On the other hand, the financial pool available to support them feels like it is constantly … Read more
So, you’ve been pulled aside. It usually happens in that five-minute window between break duty and a double-period of Year 8 History. Your Headteacher has that specific look, a mix of deep respect and “I’m about to ask you for a massive favour.” They want to know if you’ll take on the role of Designated … Read more
So, you’ve spent years in the classroom surviving glitter explosions and the dreaded wet playtime. You have mastered the “teacher look” that stops a Year 9 riot in its tracks. Now, a little voice in your head is whispering that maybe you could run the whole show. Or maybe that voice is actually your Headteacher … Read more
For decades, business success has been framed as a race—fastest growth, highest valuation, biggest exit. It’s a narrative built on individual wins. But that definition is starting to feel incomplete. Spend enough time around operators, founders, and investors, and a different pattern emerges. The leaders who endure—the ones who build companies that last—rarely talk about … Read more
Improving School Culture Through Walking The Corridors You know what? It is incredibly tempting to hide in the office. The paperwork never ends. The inbox is always full. The coffee in the staff room is usually cold. Sometimes, the office feels like the only safe space in the entire building. It is quiet there. You … Read more
As a deputy headteacher in a special school we’ve just endured (I spent a while searching for th eright word here) an Ofsted inspection under the old framework. That high-stakes, machine can make or break a teacher’s passion for the job or even career overnight. Lots of prep, a consultant, simulated deep dives, policy rewrites, … Read more
Turning employee disengagement insights from TikTok’s most beloved office chaos into actionable leadership strategies The Phenomenon Meet Chit, the viral TikTok sensation who’s accidentally become the poster child for workplace disengagement. With his signature bowl cut, oversized glasses, and talent for turning simple office interactions into pure chaos, this character from Jay Renshaw’s “The Chit … Read more
The Headteacher’s Guide to Strategic Visibility: Transform Your School Through Purposeful Presence You know what? The best headteachers aren’t the ones hiding behind a stack of paperwork. They are the ones out in the corridor. They are the ones freezing at the school gate. Leadership isn’t about clearing your inbox. It’s about being seen. If … Read more
Sarah stepped through the doors of Millfield Primary at 6:30 AM, two hours before the first students would arrive for the new autumn term. As she walked through the empty corridors, adjusting a crooked welcome poster and mentally rehearsing her morning greeting, she reflected on her first day as a headteacher three years earlier. Back … Read more
The Zen of the Staff Room: How “Chit” Can Teach School Leaders to Be Gloriously Unbothered In the bustling, glitter-strewn, and occasionally chaotic world of school leadership, there’s a certain TikTok character who holds a secret superpower we could all learn from: “Chit” from Jay Renshaw’s viral sketches. You know “Chit”—the office legend who remains … Read more
Innovation: When Ideas Travel Without Their Creator Ideas travel freely but often arrive missing their soul. Borrowed ideas and concepts are our most recyclable resource in leadership. Whether you’re a CEO or a classroom teacher, we all borrow and adapt ideas from others. I borrowed so many ideas from other companies last week that my … Read more
Time seizes opportunities and time in education builds your legacy. Time is our most precious resource in schools. Whether you’re a Headteacher or a new teacher, we all have 24 hours each day. How you allocate your minutes determines your impact on students and staff alike. Using your time strategically leads to transformative results in … Read more
RACI Matrix Tool User Guide I wrote this tool to support my MBA project which was based on education and school leadership. It is versatile enough to be used for any project in or out of education. What is a RACI Matrix? A RACI matrix (a responsibility assignment matrix) is a simple yet powerful tool … Read more
Respecting Teacher Professionalism: Unpacking Agency and Autonomy in Today’s Classrooms Teachers are not merely implementers of policy; they are professionals whose expertise, insight, and commitment shape the future. In today’s education system, however, the lines between agency and autonomy have blurred, often leading to misconceptions that undermine the very foundation of teacher professionalism. This article … Read more
As a school leader, you constantly seek effective strategies to drive meaningful change in your school. The FastInnovation process, developed by Fujitsu’s Open Innovation Gateway, offers a structured, cyclical approach to innovation that can be adapted to the educational sector. By understanding and applying its four phases—Discover, Define, Refine, and Scale—you can build a culture … Read more
Improving Communication with Stakeholders to Improve a School’s Reputation Communication has become one of the most powerful tools in shaping a school’s reputation. Whether it’s through social media, networking with other educational settings, or building partnerships, the way a school communicates internally and externally can significantly influence public perception. A school with a strong communication … Read more
Leading Transformation: A Guide for UK School Leaders in 2025 I imagine most generations think that they are going through the most challenging time. The 2020’s post-covid educational landscape must surely count. It is ever-shifting, politicised, divided and the focus of dissent from many sources, parents, and advisors. School leaders in the UK face the … Read more
Enhancing School Reputation: A Strategic Approach Using the Ansoff Matrix A school’s reputation isn’t just important—it’s the cornerstone of its success. It shapes student enrolment trends, attracts top-tier teachers to fill vacancies in what is becoming an increasingly competitive space, and garners essential community backing. To strategically elevate this reputation, school leaders can harness the … Read more
Blue Ocean Strategy: Transforming Special Schools into Hubs of Unique Value The education sector is no stranger to the concept of competition. Special schools, in particular, operate within a challenging framework, often constrained by limited resources, rigid structures, and high expectations. However, there lies a remarkable opportunity for special schools to break away from traditional … Read more
Building Your School’s Reputation: The Power of Evolution Over Revolution When you’re looking to make a real impact at your school, here’s a simple trick to remember… (keep reading till the end) I’ve just come back from a trip where I got a front-row seat to some of the most impressive systems and practices in … Read more
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