Posted in Communication, Learning and teaching, Management, Planning on Dec 5th, 2007 4 Comments »
In was in Elphinstone Primary School this morning and managed to watch all four classes - nursery (3-4 year olds); P1/2 (5-6 year olds); P3-5 (7-9 year olds); and P6/7 (10 -11 year olds) - in that order.
Elphinstone only has 70+ children in the whole school but it enabled me to move up through the [...]
Posted in Culture change, Leadership, Learning and teaching, Management, Partnerships, Positive Behaviour, Positivity, School visits, Unconditional Positive Regard on Nov 27th, 2007 1 Comment »
I visited Sanderson’s Wynd Primary School in Tranent this morning.
In the course of a very enjoyable visit where I observed a number of classes and talked with Headteacher Fiona Waddell and some of her staff about how they create a purposeful learning environment. The school is not without its challenging pupils but what struck me was [...]
Posted in Corporate, Finance, Management, Planning, Public Services, Scottish Executive on Nov 19th, 2007 5 Comments »
We are about to enter a brave new world in relation to local governn ment funding with the introduction of Local Outcome Agreements (LOAs). An LOA changes the way in which money is released to Local Authorities by the Scottish Government and has the potential to radically shift the way in which we do our [...]
Posted in Admin, Communication, ICT, Ideas, Management, personal on Oct 3rd, 2007 2 Comments »
Spot the likeness?
Actually I’m talking about a skill I’ve developed over the last few years which probably saves my life.
I’m referring to the ability to dictate correspondence. I was out of the office all day yesterday and then had a meeting from 5.00-6.00, followed by a parents’ event at a primary school.
When I rolled into [...]
Posted in Accountability, Assessment, Learning and teaching, Management, Performance Indicators, Self-evaluation on Sep 6th, 2007 No Comments »
A group of us (some Secondary HTs and Quality Improvement Officers) met this afternoon to consider how we might develop attainment targets for schools.
One of the things we are all agreed upon is that the notion of plucking figures out of thin air and saying to a school “this is what you need to achieve [...]
Posted in Corporate, Culture, Culture change, Entrepreneurs, Leadership, Management, Power/influence, Public Services, Strategic on Jun 4th, 2007 2 Comments »
How would you like to work in a place which set itself out as ”A Space to Grow”?
A place where you could:
Achieve your personal goals;
Provide an outstanding service;
Fulfil your sense of vocation.
A place where your employers:
cared for your personal welfare and well-being;
focussed upon the impact of their service to users;
were flexible and willing to take decisions based upon [...]
Posted in Leadership, Management, honesty on Jun 3rd, 2007 3 Comments »
Thanks for the helpful comments to the previous post in this series - they have helped me to explore the tension between the desire to “always tell the truth” and being an “effective leader”
Regardless of my desire to promote a non-hierarchical culture there is a reality that I am in a position of ‘power’ within education in East Lothian. There are [...]
Posted in Accountability, Culture, Ideas, Management, Personal Lessons, Personnel, honesty on Jun 1st, 2007 6 Comments »
Following yesterday’s post I’ve been doing a little more reading about honesty and leadership.
Honesty is seen by many as a key factor in effective leadership 1,2, 3, 4
However, the recurring definition of honesty in most texts relates to trustworthiness of the leader.
I’m convinced that trustworthiness is a key factor in effective leadership but “truth” is [...]
Posted in Leadership, Management, Personal Lessons, honesty on May 31st, 2007 2 Comments »
I bumped into someone this week who used to work with Professor Tim Brighouse.
Tim Brighouse has been a major influence upon how I attempt to go about my own work - so it was great to meet someone (a service Director in Birmingham City Council) who worked very closely with the man himself.
I asked the [...]
Posted in CPD, Culture, Head Teachers, Management, Strategic on May 24th, 2007 4 Comments »
It was just an innocent question but it triggered a fascinating and very productive discussion this morning.
The questioner had been Dee Torrance who had invited me to speak to the most recent cohort of SQH candidates at Peebles Hydro Hotel. As well enjoyed a cup of coffee after the session she popped the question:
“So what [...]
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