Meetings can be useful. I know, I know – sometimes they are the bane of people’s lives. Not only in schools, but in many jobs. They can feel like: wasted time repeated thinking done to keep up appearances (..of ‘listening to staff’ etc. BUT there is one behaviour that can make an immediate difference asContinueContinue reading “How To Make A Meeting Effective With One Simple Behaviour”
Tag Archives: school
Three Ways To Create Respect In Schools
Respect is foundational for schools. It’s something I’ve heard my colleagues and senior leaders around me talk about freqently. Although…as I think about it…I’ve heard more colleagues mentioning how rude an individual pupil was in their lesson. Or how rude a member of senior management was when they asked for something. Is it respectful toContinueContinue reading “Three Ways To Create Respect In Schools”
Why improving weaknesses is a waste of energy
Your approach to developing middle leaders in school is focused on the wrong thing. Just because a particular leadership tactic or classroom management technique worked for you – doesn’t mean it will work for every teacher. No – I’m not saying there aren’t valid techniques and tactics. I’m saying that focusing on improving weaknesses isContinueContinue reading “Why improving weaknesses is a waste of energy”
How can a school’s culture change on purpose?
Headteachers and Senior Leadership Teams in schools across the country are full of committed, talented people. They want to make great things happen for their pupils. Even if they are inspiring and visionary, without a receptive culture, the best ideas will fail to take root with no lasting change. Culture overrides strategy – but culture canContinueContinue reading “How can a school’s culture change on purpose?”
‘Take an interest, not the register’
Being a form tutor is an underrated role in a school. ‘The tutor is the glue that holds together the academic and the pastoral.’ I made that up this week because it articulates an intuition I always knew. The challenge of being a tutor includes conundrums such as: How do I build a relationship withContinueContinue reading “‘Take an interest, not the register’”
Is being a teacher taking over your life?
Teaching is a profession that can become all-consuming. Which is fine if you’re ok with that. This post is different. As a teacher, perhaps you’ve had experiences where you: …have so much to do (lesson planning, marking, replying to emails, responding to parents) that you just don’t know where to start …feel your stress levels riseContinueContinue reading “Is being a teacher taking over your life?”
Disruption To The Educational System
Yes my writing is illegible… I’m a teacher. This is a fact I mostly say with pride. I was inspired by the adverts when I was 25 (I’m 39 at the time of writing) to change careers. More frequently now though, I find myself wondering what I would be doing if I’d stayed in myContinueContinue reading “Disruption To The Educational System”
JDS Insights: September 2012
What if he was *my* chemistry teacher? September: the days draw in, darkness descends and we return to school. Summer is over. The longer I’ve taught, the more attuned I’ve become to the rhythm and routine of the year. September is a month that really marks the beginning of the cycle; another year begins. ThisContinueContinue reading “JDS Insights: September 2012”
Class of 2012: Home Truths
Tonight – Touch The Sky Each year another set of Year 13 students steps beyond the castle walls and escapes to university to begin Life After School. Each year group likes to think that they will be remembered fondly in teachers hearts and minds. Truthfully, year groups have a tendency to blur into one another.ContinueContinue reading “Class of 2012: Home Truths”
The Beginning is the End is the Beginning 2 of 3: 2011
Part Two of the Trilogy… 6. House We moved in 2011. It was stressful and wonderful in equal measure (but probably more wonderful). Our house is now our home and I’m so grateful for all the help we had. Especially from Them and Them. I can’t imagine going back to a one-bedroom flat. We’ve hardly needed/ wantedContinueContinue reading “The Beginning is the End is the Beginning 2 of 3: 2011”
James D'Souza 