Leadership

5 Bridges Across the Primary and Secondary Divide

Seven or more years ago I visited Serlby Park All Through School with a question, “Why would we become an all through school?”  I met the inspirational Dave Harris (@bravehead) who was the Headteacher of Serlby Park at the time.  Five hours later I left with the question, “Why wouldn’t we become an all through school?”  Building bridges across the primary and secondary phases was Dave’s work and passion. Continue reading →

Leading In Challenging Times

The current pace of change has become exponential and shows little sign of change.  The amount of statute, guidance and changes to policy and practice has never been greater.  Each weekend another initiative is released, usually via the Sunday press, and this frenetic way of working is often mirrored in schools.  Leading a school and leading in a school, at a senior or middle leader level, in these challenging times is demanding.  It has moments of both great joy and great stress, sometimes all within the blink of an eye. Continue reading →

The Highs in Education

I think we have finally made a break through.  #Vis2040, the SSAT Vision 2040 Project Group, has been together for just over a year.  We have struggled to define ourselves and the unique contribution, to the education debate, we could make.  Much of what we have seen and done as a group has been much more 2020 than 2040.  The decision to move away from an action research approach – others are better qualified to do this and finding time was proving impossible – towards co-constructing a compelling meta-narrative; a values rich, engaging and ultimately aligning story, fits the group far better.

Continue reading →