Teacher, coach, wellbeing and parental engagement training, governor, writer, speaker. Stubborn optimist. Many times owned by cats. Now owned by a dog too.
Dec 7, 2023 • 4 tweets • 1 min read
I know I'm not alone in feeling deeply rocked by the findings of #RuthPerry's inquest this evening. It's not just the rage at the lip-service response from Ofsted, or the fierce tenacity and dignity love of her family and colleagues. 1/
It's also the fact that I have the deep honour and privilege of knowing and listening to the voices of dozens of dedicated, passionate headteachers whose experiences could so easily have been those of Ruth's; who have given years - decades - of their lives 2/
Aug 28, 2023 • 21 tweets • 5 min read
Strained relationships and conflict between colleagues at work. THREAD.
A few thoughts (based on experience, research, and conversations with hundreds of school staff).
Others, please add your wisdom. 1/
It's easy to imagine others perceive the world in the same way we do, but it's taken me until my late 40s to start to realise how huge the differences can be - and that it's almost never as 'personal' as I imagined it was. 2/
Dec 4, 2022 • 4 tweets • 2 min read
Talk to me about #perimenopause and teaching. I know lots of people are discussing it, which is great, but I'd like to probe a bit more deeply and maybe write a blog, as it strikes me as a big topic for women of around my age... #edutwitter 1/2
I'm interested particularly in how (or if) it manifests itself, has an impact on work and life, and what strategies people have for managing it - and leaders have for supporting colleagues. 2/2
Nov 8, 2019 • 17 tweets • 4 min read
Thread. On my knees (sofa) after 5 conferences in 7 days. Lessons learned (this could take several days)...
1. Nothing is educating as demanding as full-time working in a school. 2. Teachers are the most efficient and reliable people I know.
Lesson 3: if something someone says or writes chimes with you, tell them. To those who stopped my by coffee machines and outside toilet cubicles to do so, I could have (and quite possibly did) hug you all. It means the world. Thank you x
Oct 12, 2019 • 7 tweets • 4 min read
#edutwitter I'm constantly inspired and reassured on here by a plethora of wonderful ideas and amazing people. My current preoccupation is with how we break OUT of the Twitter bubble and get these messages to those who (for valid reasons) might not engage with Twitter 1/
The reality is that many, many teachers and schools have fallen victim to the defence/attack mode in the light of new Ofsted perceived expectations, and some of the good work on retention risks being eroded 2/
