Recruitment & retention…

Much is made of what the sector can do to support this. I don’t disagree that there is a role for the sector & leaders to play but there are bigger issues at play beyond our control

Mini 🧵 1: There is a real need to define the role & purpose of education & schools. Once defined, fund it accordingly. At present the volume of things schools should do is ever growing & the narrative around the purpose of education ever increasingly grey

I’m pleased I was able to add to this article about permanent exclusions.

Here’s the full statement I gave 🧵….

https://twitter.com/AnnaFazack1/status/1847665618297786676

School exclusions are understandably a contentious matter, that causes much debate.
Statistically only about 0.001% of all pupils in English schools were permanently excluded last year. So in real terms we are talking about tiny numbers.

A mini 🧵 on leadership… 1: Consider carefully what is it like for a child to be educated in your school and what it is like for a colleague to work for you. Use this to inform your thinking.

There’s always a honeymoon period at the start of the year. Schools feel good. This becomes vulnerable as we move to October & more so November.

Why?

Mini 🧵 Schools become consistently inconsistent. The initial wave of consistency generates a feel good factor across a school but then unpicks itself as, like all new year resolutions, people forget

I’ve put out a few tweets about oracy but I have genuine concerns & urge for balance, as follows: Define it….

We need to define what we take oracy to be

Recruitment & retention

My thoughts on what could be done to resolve the impending crisis (disclaimer I know not everyone will agree). 1: Pay

However we strip it it’s not competitive. The entry salary needs to be high, staying in the classroom needs to be more financially rewarding. The rates of pay progression moving up the scale need to be meaningful.

Teacher workload is a hot topic once more.

My views on how we can support workload…. Stop the dinosaur mindsets of teaching should hurt, we used to work long long hours, we’ve always done it this way etc

You can have a school based on clear systems, clear rules, clear structures & still care about kids.

My school does the following… Has over 40 staff trained as mental health coaches, with more staff to be trained

A thread outlining some of the student care approaches employed @dustonschool ....

I hope this gives people some ideas that are of use ... Every day starts with pupils being welcomed by staff, with a friendly good morning, a hello or a well done if pupil x has done something positive

Poor behaviour in schools...

Often this is a choice, be it deliberate or poor decision making
Often it is a reflection of the social norm
Sometimes it’s a case of pupils chancing their arm, seeing what they can get away with It can be a reflection of the systems in the school &/or it’s climate, ethos & culture

It can come about due to boredom eg overly long breaks

Some musings on behaviour ....

Inevitably this will be deemed ‘controversial.’ Behaviour is a hugely divisive topic & no two people can agree. Having rules isn’t a case that you are evil, overbearing or power hungry.

A thread detailing why schools are not closed (this is not a rant nor a gripe, it is a reflection on reality).... Schools have had to operate at high speed, with mixed and ever changing decisions landed on them at the drop of a hat.

A thread on why a solo SLT behaviour lead often fails.... In a number of schools one person is the designated behaviour lead for the school. They are the go to. In theory (on paper) strategic. In reality they are the school’s sweeper.

🚨 3 weeks to go

A feed detailing what Education Exposed 2: In pursuit of the halcyon dream is about ...

Education Exposed 2: In pursuit of the halcyon dream amazon.co.uk/dp/1913622169/… This book is suited to anyone working on a school.

I wonder if the media will actually stop casting its critically damaging spotlight on schools. Here are a few facts..... Schools didn’t choose to close their doors to most of their pupils in March. That was a decision from on up high.

A lot about Ofsted visits & when should inspections resume.

Do the “visits” not need a rethink. School leaders & teachers are already beyond stressed & doing all they can to ensure schools are open & safe. A visit is an added layer of stress that detracts from this. The idea that schools don’t need to prepare anything is intriguing & naive. No school leader will not prepare & not have things ready, especially if a letter will be sent to parents. This adds another layer of scrutiny/accountability schools won’t want to fall foul of.

Views that still baffle me... Teacher voice should be limited in lessons .... why?

🚨 Education Exposed 2 🚨

The manuscript for this is now complete. Here is a summary of what the book will explore.....

Education Exposed 2: In pursuit of the halcyon dream amazon.co.uk/dp/1913622169/… Chapter 1 focuses on the halcyon dream, what it is and what gets in its way

Today has seen, to my mind, three states:

The Good
The Bad
The Ugly The ugly are pupils receiving U grades and essentially being told they have failed

If you need a summer read Education Exposed may be just the ticket. You can get it via @JohnCattEd or Amazon.

Here are some reviews Here are a few key take home points from the book...

🚨 New Book🚨

If you enjoyed Education Exposed then you may enjoy this ...

Education Exposed 2: In pursuit of the halcyon dream

Pre-order it via @JohnCattEd @JohncattUSA or from Amazon, here ...

amazon.co.uk/gp/product/191… Retweets appreciated...

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