Teacher Agency

Did The Fun Boy Three and Bananarama Nail School Improvement?

“It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it and that’s what gets results.”  So goes the 1982 song from the two groups.  Over time, I’ve increasingly understood that the way things are done matters hugely but always thought “It ain’t what you do” was just an unfortunate lead in to the Bananarama Principle of School Improvement (Implementation Matters). Continue reading →

We Don’t Need Permission

I’ve always taken the view; forgiveness is often easier to get than permission.  I was lucky to work for a number of headteachers and governors who kept an eye on the bottom line but granted me the freedom to work as I saw best.  It also helps if you develop a sixth sense about when it is time to explain your stance and when you should quickly, unreservedly and sincerely apologise.  I became better at the letter as my career progressed.

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