Ofsted’s latest inspection toolkit contains a fascinating statement: “The most effective inclusion strategy begins with everyday high-quality inclusive teaching.” But does the inspection framework fully reflect that ambition? open.substack.com/pub/learni…

What does great teaching look like in every classroom, every lesson, every day? I’ve shared the thinking behind our Teaching & Learning Framework open.substack.com/pub/learni…

As schools support increasing numbers of pupils with SEND, inclusion can easily become intervention-led rather than needs-led. In my latest article, I reflect on why the most important question isn’t: What intervention should we use? open.substack.com/pub/learni…

Spent a lot of time today talking about how the biggest impact we can have as a leadership team is on our colleagues. open.substack.com/pub/learni…

📖Inclusion is not simply the absence of exclusion 🗣️ open.substack.com/pub/learni…

As we head into the final half term, my focus is turning to school development priorities for 26/27 For me, inclusion, belonging and relationships should sit at the heart of school improvement, and share the model that will help shape our thinking. open.substack.com/pub/learni…

School leadership can feel like protecting children from decisions you didn’t make. Funding shifts. Grants vanish. Programmes get scrapped. What felt stable yesterday becomes a hard conversation today. It’s not just budgets—it’s the emotional weight for pupils, families, and staff: - a club that may stop - a role left uncertain - a family losing support - a leader recalculating everything, while staying calm This is the unseen work: emotional buffering, careful communication, absorbing uncertainty without spreading panic. Reflective leadership won’t fix the funding crisis, but it helps leaders pause and respond with purpose: - What can we control? - What must we say honestly? - Where is reassurance needed? - How do we protect our own capacity? Leaders can’t control external decisions, but they can shape the culture around them—through honesty, presence, calm values-led choices, and communities that share the load. Leadership in hard times isn’t pretending things are fine. It’s staying steady so others still feel safe. community.headteacherchat.co… #SchoolLeadership #Headteachers #EducationLeadership #SchoolFunding #ReflectiveLeadership #SLT #TeacherWellbeing #HeadteacherChat

Unnecessary and deeply unhelpful scaremongering

The DfE white paper is clear: literacy is every teacher's responsibility. Primary leaders, ask yourselves: Is your September INSET truly preparing colleagues to deliver on this?

Pleased to have been appointed to the @educationgovuk Secondary Headteacher Reference Group. Looking forward to contributing to national discussions on education policy and ensuring the voices of alternative provision, inclusive practice and vulnerable learners are represented.

We asked school leaders about SEND support. 43% reported making cuts to support for pupils with SEND. Cuts were particularly acute in primary schools. This underlines the need for action on staffing capacity if mainstream schools are to educate more pupils with SEND.

One for the History teachers in @thetimes this morning. Harold may have transported his forces south by sea rather than a 200 mile march.

It’s a cold start but I am #IncludEd bound - excited to discuss how senior leaders bridge the gap between policy and inclusive practice! @TheDifferenceEd #IncludEd26 #Inclusion

I'm excited to deliver my session 'Inclusion at the sharp end: How school leaders bridge the gap between policy and practice' at IncludEd 2026 sched.co/2CvMx @TheDifferenceEd

Great view of @rafredarrows today @RAF_Valley #RedArrows

Pace School in St Helens receives 'Good' rating from Ofsted ift.tt/os3GjXv

🎉PACE has been judged GOOD in all areas by Ofsted! 🎉 “Calm and welcoming… pupils feel valued… positive transformation in behaviour.” Huge thanks to our staff, families & amazing pupils 💙 📄 Read the full report: alternativeprovision.st-hele…

🎉 We received an exciting delivery today – our brand new school uniforms have arrived! Parents can order their child’s FREE jumper for September by signing up to the School Spider app. Don’t miss out! #SchoolUniform #StHelensAP

Big thanks to the MCKS Charitable Foundation for restocking our school pantry! 💚 If your family needs food or toiletries, just speak to a member of our team. #CommunitySupport #NoChildHungry #SchoolPantry