Full Description
The honest guide to the messy job of being a headteacher, including real stories of mistakes made and lessons learned, case studies and practical advice.
These are the bits about being a headteacher they don't teach you. Headteachering is part instruction manual, part call to arms and part confession of errors from experienced headteacher, Simon Botten.
From being told to 'f*** off' at assembly on his first day and being handed a walkie-talkie for calls to break up fights to managing crisis and the pain of failure after success, Simon tells you the stories you don't usually hear. Packed with brilliant advice for how to lead a school and multiple case studies from experienced headteachers who have been there and seen it all, this book is an essential guide to what it's really like to be a headteacher, whether you're an aspiring school leader or you're currently in post. Humorous, wise and insightful, this book aims to inspire you to be the best headteacher you can be - practically, technically and emotionally.
Contents
Introduction
Case study: Keziah Featherstone
1. Your first 100 days as a headteacher: Learning to swim in a storm
Case study: Dr Kulvarn Atwal
2. Creating a compelling vision: Why does your school exist?
Case study: Simon Smith
3. The importance of symbols and rituals: The stories we tell ourselves
Case study: Sonia Thompson
4. Improving behaviour: Give a little respect
Case study: Chris Dyson
5. School improvement: A hundred tiny steps, without the BS
Case study: Ross Newman
6. Improving teaching: Making the invisible visible
Case study: Claire Savory
7. Spotting systemic problems: Or, a case study on how to fail
Case study: Ro O'Reilly
8. Creating a happy and effective staff team: Encouraging the team to follow you
Case study: Dr Vic Carr
9. Working with parents: An imperfect guide
Case study: Dave McParlin
10. Working with governors: Learning from your critical friends
Case study: Katie Hague
11. Strategic financial planning: Making the money add up
Case study: Debbie Beazer
12. Managing the stress of the job: Strategic laziness
Case study: Krystie Stubbs
13. How will you be remembered?: Whakapapa
Case study: Brian Walton
