This week, we kicked off Writers’ Fortnight in school. Incredible speakers, including many extraordinary parents, are being invited to speak to our students to share how particular books have inspired them or how they are involved in literature in some way. As a result, our students have been awed by poets, journalists, diplomats, artists, and […]
A school’s first and most important function is to create a sense of belonging for each student. Everything else (literally) is academic. My first lesson on how to go about this (many years ago) came from my first teaching mentor, who believed it was all about “nailing the welcome” at the start of each […]
“Be curious, not judgmental”, quotes Ted Lasso in response to being underestimated in one of the TV series’ most iconic scenes. Do watch it if you have not done so already. As well as being incredibly funny, the understated and seemingly incompetent Ted Lasso has so much to teach us all about how to lead […]
I recently read No Rules Rules, which was by far the best book I have read this year. It was co-written by Netflix CEO Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer. The book is about how Netflix’s ‘no rules’ culture has helped to provide and sustain its competitive edge. Rules and top-down controls, it seems, just get […]
Rigour It is that time of year when schools ramp up their efforts to attract new families. I know this because those hidden algorithms on my social media have started spamming me with school admissions adverts for the next academic year. This AI intrusion always irritates me, but it has also allowed me to notice […]
Mitchel Resnick, LEGO Papert Professor of Learning Research at the MIT Media Lab, offers a helpful metaphor to use when designing learning: build “high ceilings, low floors and wide walls”. A colleague introduced me to this wonderful metaphor when working at the International Baccalaureate a couple of years ago. It has been playing on my mind […]
In schools, the timetable can often be the graveyard of great ideas. How often have you come up with a great idea that will transform your school? Maybe it was something you thought would help bring the school closer to its stated mission, vision, or values? Perhaps you have been inspired by what another […]
“I am Loki of Asgard and I am burdened with glorious purpose” First uttered by Loki in the first Avengers film, these words are the culmination of his ambition to rise to what he believes is his pre-ordained right to power. At the risk of being a spoiler, it doesn’t end well for Loki. The […]
“What grade did you get?” I hear this too often in schools. And it pains me. The grade delusion Etched into several of my childhood core memories is the experience of being given back assignments by my teacher. There was a familiar pattern that I recognise now. The teacher, slowly walking around the classroom, hands […]
Our leadership team has had the same conversation with staff for the last 3 weekends: Friday afternoon: “Ok, we are all set for Monday. Thanks for the hours of planning this week to get this right…” Saturday morning: “Ah, sorry to interrupt your weekend. New changes just announced. New plan needed for Monday…” It feels […]
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