40 days into the senior leadership adventure

‘But I'll be free for what I believe and I won't sell my soul just to
Achieve my goal.’ Amy McDonald

I spotted the video above on Ollie Bray’s twitter feed a little while ago. It sums up how I’m feeling at the end of the first half term of being a new Assistant Headteacher in a new school. I know how to ride a bike, and have even hammered down a few scary descents, but I’m a novice compared to this. However, I’m getting up to speed. It reminds me of becoming a trainee teacher, then an NQT, then a Head of Department. At the beginning, I thought I knew everything about education because I went to school. Then I knew everything about school because I worked in one a while. It’s a different perspective at each level and I wonder if It’s ever possible to see the full picture.

This is a continuation of this post written 28 days into the new role. I’m still a novice, but I’m getting there. A few more things to share, it’s mainly for me to look back on but may be of use to those who are thinking about the step to SLT or those in the same position as myself, I know I find it useful knowing that there are others in the same position:

1. Assumed competence

The list of things I’ve done for the first time in the past 40 days is mental, but also exciting. The main point I’ll make is that you need to ask if you’re not sure, as everyone (and especially those who you line manage) will assume that you know what you’re doing. Whether that’s leading an assembly, learning walks, reading in assembly, doing lunch duties, open evening, open mornings, organising a Governors Day, interviewing, coaching, line managing or reporting to governors. There is a lot of extra stuff to do on top of the teaching and on top of the main focus. Prioritisation is the key as it would be very easy to become derailed from what it is you’re actually supposed to be doing. Ask questions, lots of them.

2. Develop the persona of SLT

I have an idea of what SLT should be. Sadly, I’ve got experience of SLT types that I don’t want to be. It’s hard. Walking down the corridor and acknowledging every member of staff. Making sure that I challenge any behaviour that needs to be redirected. Smiling. Doing all of this when there are hundreds of names to remember. And faces. And jobs. And connections. The time for being anonymous is over. Being out of the office during transitions and visible.

3. Don’t worry about being a net learner for a bit

Nick Dennis helped me out, probably more than he knows, with a bit of advice given to me at the recent #TLT13. Accept that, for at least a little while, you’ll be a net-learner rather than a net-contributor to the organisation. This may be frustrating, especially if you’ve been a contributor at your last place, but it’s important. I don’t want to be compared to a u-turning politician nor start introducing more new initiatives than a New Labour politician (or Nick Clegg coming up to an election). I want to get it right (although I accept that making a few mistakes along the way is inevitable if I am to learn). I also don’t want to make promises that I can’t keep and I’ve been reminded of the need for planning impact.

4. Buy extra shoes

I’m no stranger to being on my feet. But I walk a lot. I bought a couple of extra pairs of shoes because 1. you can tell a lot about someone’s shoes and how they look after them and 2. I walk a lot!

“Part of being a Master is learning how to sing in nobody else's voice but your own.” ― Hugh MacLeod

High Impact, Low effort

This month is the start of the #29daysofwriting challenge. I enjoyed this last year and will be using my Staffrm account to post. I'll also be reporting here, both to give a little more detail and to keep a log of what I have written. The challenge developed a great sense of community last year, which is why I'm choosing to write on Staffrm. What I would say to those who are new to writing or don't want to run out of ideas is: Write for yourself. Clarify an idea, write something out loud. The process of distilling thoughts into writing is immensely beneficial to your practice. If other read, comment and respond, that's a bonus. Ignore the muppets who know nothing of your context, style or students. Mix it up - I like to read about real stuff from real classrooms and schools and also about other stuff. If we always write about school, how does that work for workload? If you've nothing nice to say, don't say it. So, the following has been

What makes a learning experience profound? Personal reflections and possible implications for classroom practice.

I have recently begun a Leadership Pathways journey. As part of the first core day, we were asked to reflect on a profound learning experience. This got me thinking about how many profound learning experiences I have both been involved in, and how many I have been able to give to others. Our group came up with a huge long list, but these are my five. Emotional Connected Demanding Reflective Collaborative As always, these are personal thoughts and quite mixed up. I put them here so that I can look back on them (plus they’d get lost inside my world-cup-free brain) 1. Emotional I can’t think of a time where deep learning hasn’t engaged my emotions. From being awe inspired to that tingle feeling when a student gets a light bulb moment. From this-is-the-happiest-day-ever, to I-think-I’m-about-to die. How often do we engage the emotions of those we teach? Here, I would argue that having a safe learning environment is not always conducive to profound

The danger of Teaching and Twitter conversations: poorly formed bipolar arguments.

Sometimes in life, there really are only two options. Get the wrong one and you can look like a muppet. Take this useful sign for the toilets in Morocco. I successfully navigated it, choosing the right option. The result? No egg on my face. As a mountain leader, there are many right or wrong decisions that I’ve faced, as there are all over life. It’s not a good idea to let inexperienced young people walk themselves down Snowdon. They may die or be seriously injured. If someone is showing the signs and symptoms of hyperthermia, you need to treat it fast in a specified way. There is no real arguing with this sign: Other options are less obvious. Take this sign recently spotted near to where I live: Now, I wouldn’t consider sleeping in a bin. However, faced with a sub-zero night, I could see the appeal. The danger? Being tipped into one of those huge lorries with a compactor. (by the way, I only really considered all of this thanks to questions from my four year old boy).

David Rogers

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