Mountains are the cathedral where I practice my religion. Anatoli Boukreev.I like walking in mountains and spending time in them. I am drawn back by a kind of gravitational pull every month or so, even to those I’ve climbed before. I’ll head off on a Saturday morning alone or with a close friend or one … Continue reading Mountains
The paradoxes of teaching
A paradox is an odd or self-contradictory statement which has about it the ring of truth. (Greek – para = contrary to; doxa = opinion). Maybe it’s the natural cynic in me, but I enjoy looking for paradoxes at work. It offers a sideways look and alternative perspective to the daily grind. What seems at … Continue reading The paradoxes of teaching
Small is beautiful – 10 ways Trusts can support small schools
How do we support and celebrate our smallest schools in challenging times? In our family of schools we have a large number of brilliant small schools. Fourteen of our forty-three members of the Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust educate fewer than 150 pupils. And so, while we definitely don’t pretend to have all the answers, here … Continue reading Small is beautiful – 10 ways Trusts can support small schools
To do or not to do
One never notices what has been done; one can only see what remains to be done. Marie Curie We all use to do lists. For food shopping, reminders for our children, holiday packing and of course at work. From the back of an envelope to a computer screen, this most simple of reminders seems to … Continue reading To do or not to do
Being authentic
“Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others.” Desiderata - Max Ehrmann I spoke with our school leaders last week about why I believe that being authentic is key to how we forge relationships and work as a team. In July, I discussed with our chairs of governors how we could better support … Continue reading Being authentic
5 ways to build trust
Trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and forever to repair. Amy Rees Anderson When employees have confidence in their leaders, they feel mutual respect, a sense of belonging and are less likely to leave. Research shows that employees at high trust companies report less stress, higher productivity, and more energy at work. Where it … Continue reading 5 ways to build trust
When things go wrong
‘We learn from failure, not from success.’ Bram Stoker There are times in our working lives when we all feel a little bit lost. A project goes wrong, we feel we’re losing the class or a job ends badly. When we are going through this we feel pain, frustration or disappointment. This creates a sense … Continue reading When things go wrong
The Kindness of Leaders
“It’s a wonder I haven’t abandoned all of my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical. Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly kind at heart.” Anne Frank (1929-45) Kindness has always been some way down the pecking order as a leadership skill. In the … Continue reading The Kindness of Leaders
Hope in the dark
We will never have a perfect sense of what needs to happen next. We are always feeling in the dark. We do not have to become somebody else - the more authentic and grounded our hope is, the more true and helpful it is. Breanna West. The week before half term I watched part of … Continue reading Hope in the dark
Walking the dog
Parents, husbands, lovers and friends are all very well, but they are not dogs. Elizabeth Von Arnim, 1936 I love climbing mountains, I enjoy a walk along a river and I like strolling to the pub. Each of these are satisfying in their own way, but having a dog at my side will always make … Continue reading Walking the dog
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