In the late 1990s, I worked at a school with a formidable Headteacher. Her reputation had been partly forged during the era of Thatcher cuts to school funding. Legend had it that, at the height of the crisis, she had announced at a meeting of staff that from this point on everyone must bring in … Continue reading The toilet roll market

"We are spending record amounts on our school funding. We are the third highest spender on education in the OECD" Nick Gibb on Radio 4's Today programme. After 2000 headteachers marched on Downing Street hoping to provoke the public in to outrage about school funding, Nick Gibb scored a tremendous own goal by claiming not … Continue reading Enough is enough

In 1991, the School Teachers Pay and Conditions Act sought to redefine the contractual terms under which teachers were employed. The context for this change was an increasing level of government control and intervention over schools due to a perceived need to address low standards in many state comprehensive schools. The Act introduced, for the … Continue reading Working 1265 (what a way to make a living)

I find nothing more irritating than to have my intelligence insulted, particularly by people who think they are being helpful but haven't actually got a clue. If you have ever come across the ESFAs 'Efficiency Neighbours' data you'll know what I mean. This blog is for any school leaders who are told they should use … Continue reading Love thy efficiency neighbour

First we were told to become an Academy. We were promised great riches and freedom from the clutches of the evil local authorities. Then we were told that on our own we were weak. The future was multi-academy trusts, with economies of scale and the ability to turn around failing schools. Since its ministerial inception … Continue reading Why I like being single

Successful schools seem to have a force of gravity which pulls things towards them. They attract strong teachers, high attaining students, additional resources, publicity and privilege. As their reputational 'mass' increases their gravitational effect grows. This is a zero-sum game for the most part. The gain is at the expense of those schools whose pull … Continue reading Schools have gravity