How School Leaders Can Implement Lessons from Thinking, Fast and Slow
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How School Leaders Can Implement Lessons from Thinking, Fast and Slow

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…

Policy: It Works, but Does it Help?
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Policy: It Works, but Does it Help?

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…

Horizon Scanning: Identifying Future Education Trends
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Horizon Scanning: Identifying Future Education Trends

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…

“The supreme quality of leadership is integrity.” Lessons For School Leaders
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“The supreme quality of leadership is integrity.” Lessons For School Leaders

Leadership Quotes For School Leaders. Continuing our series on examining how we can apply famous leadership quotes to school leadership our next quote is “The supreme quality of leadership is integrity.” by Dwight D. Eisenhower. Imagine you are a teacher in a school where the headteacher is dishonest, inconsistent, and unethical. How would you feel?…

The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.
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The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.

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…

Unlocking Potential: Appreciative Inquiry as a Coaching Approach for Middle Leaders
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Unlocking Potential: Appreciative Inquiry as a Coaching Approach for Middle Leaders

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…

“Why do you want to be a Headteacher?” Interview Question.
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“Why do you want to be a Headteacher?” Interview Question.

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…

Compassionate Leadership & Crucial Conversations in Schools
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Compassionate Leadership & Crucial Conversations in Schools

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…

How Can School Leaders Develop Middle Leaders?
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How Can School Leaders Develop Middle Leaders?

Building Your Middle Leadership Team In the complex ecosystem of a school, leadership is not confined to the top. Middle leaders (department heads, assistant headteachers, etc.) play a pivotal role in driving school performance and improving teaching and learning. In many ways, middle leaders are the bridge between senior management and teaching staff, translating strategic…

Making the Most of a Pre-Interview School Visit: A Guide for Prospective Headteachers
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Making the Most of a Pre-Interview School Visit: A Guide for Prospective Headteachers

The Importance of a Pre-Interview School Visit As a prospective headteacher, you are likely aware of the critical role that school visits play in the selection process. A pre-interview visit to a school is not merely a formality; it’s an invaluable opportunity to glean insights about the school’s ethos, culture, operations, challenges and strategic focus….

Using Questioning to Lead Teams: A Guide for School Leaders
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Using Questioning to Lead Teams: A Guide for School Leaders

How To Lead A Leadership Team By Asking The Right Questions As we delve into the world of leadership, one of the most potent tools we have at our disposal is questioning. This skill, much like others such as active listening, time management, or collaboration, requires practice and application for proficiency. It’s no secret that…

Applying Growth Mindset to School Leadership

Applying Growth Mindset to School Leadership

Applying Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset to School Leadership I finally got around to reading Carol Dweck’s Mindset: Changing The Way You Think To Fulfil Your Potential this summer. I didn’t realise it had a section on leadership. The growth mindset philosophy teaches that intelligence and abilities can be developed through effort, good strategies, and help…

Developing Resilience as a School Leader
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Developing Resilience as a School Leader

Introduction Resilience is an essential trait for school leaders, especially in the fast-paced and ever-changing landscape of education in the United Kingdom. Resilient leaders are better equipped to handle the challenges that come their way, learn from their experiences, and maintain an optimistic outlook, even in difficult circumstances. According to a guardian article are “Exhausted,…

Successfully Completing Group Interview Tasks: School Leadership

Successfully Completing Group Interview Tasks: School Leadership

Group Interview Tasks In the competitive landscape of senior leadership positions in the UK education sector, it is crucial for aspiring Headteachers and Deputy Headteachers to stand out from the crowd. One of the most challenging aspects of the interview process for these roles often involves collaborative group interview tasks. In this article, we will…

School Leadership: developing a Vision for your School
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School Leadership: developing a Vision for your School

Creating a School Vision This is part of a series of posts based on my NPQH learning. A strong, aspirational vision is crucial for any school to thrive and achieve its full potential. It provides clarity and purpose, guiding strategic decisions around curriculum, priorities, resource allocation, and progress monitoring. An effective vision rallies and motivates…

10 Ways School Leaders Secure Buy-In from Their Teams
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10 Ways School Leaders Secure Buy-In from Their Teams

How To Get Buy-In From Your Team Having just completed my NPQH the topic of Vision, values and getting buy-in from my teaching staff is high on my agenda. As a school leader facing the current challenges, you all understand the importance of having a vision for your school. But even the best vision is…

Imposter Syndrome? or Are You Just a Reluctant or Incomplete Leader?

Imposter Syndrome? or Are You Just a Reluctant or Incomplete Leader?

Reluctant and Incomplete School Leaders As I complete my NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship) I have been reflecting on myself as a leader and the things I am trying to develop. Through the process of reflection, I came across a few theories that I think are linked, and possibly affect a lot of leaders…

3 Must-Read Leadership Books for School Leaders: Essential Takeaways
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3 Must-Read Leadership Books for School Leaders: Essential Takeaways

Applying Leadership Lessons to School Leadership On my leadership journey, I have read various leadership books and the insights they provide for aspiring or existing school leaders. Leadership is a critical aspect of any school. School leaders play a vital role, and have accountability for ensuring that their schools are successful in achieving their goals….

Leading A Team For SEN Teachers/ECTs
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Leading A Team For SEN Teachers/ECTs

Leading a Team: Seeing Yourself as a Leader This post is based on “Leading a Team” training I delivered to colleagues in Kent special schools. It is aimed at ECTs, Teachers, and HLTAs. Anyone stepping up to lead a class in a special school becomes a leader of a team. This is usually of a…