School-Matters

"every time we do something for our children, we stop them from learning to do it for themselves. " Here's my latest blog about helping our children to be independent: school-matters.org/2026/01/30/i... #edusky #edteach #parenting

Why rest is as important as reading Over the years, I have often reflected on what matters most in a child’s education. While skilled teachers, a stimulating environment, early reading skills, and a well-resourced and rich curriculum…

My latest blog about how sleep is as important as reading for children to be successful is here: school-matters.org/2026/01/23/w... #parenting #edusky

The number of children with additional needs is rising faster than the system can manage, leaving schools and families to navigate the consequences on their own.

Explore real stories of the SEND crisis from schools across the UK and NAHT's view on what needs to change.

🔗 https://bit.ly/4pqEXFB

Crikey! #schools #educsky

Thank you @tesmagazine.bsky.social for your support.

Our 5th Annual Headteacher Wellbeing Report is an important read.

Published on our website next week.

Grateful to President Macron for an engaging conversation at #Davos on how to protect kids from predatory #socialmedia algorithms. I appreciate the President and his cabinet working toward an Australia-like policy.

This feels like an important moment in the long journey to recapture and reshape childhood…https://news.sky.com/story/logging-off-kids-social-media-ban-now-feels-almost-certain-13497390 #edusky #parenting #socialmediaban

I was a hostage negotiator for 10 years - this is what it taught me about parenting Nicky Perfect shares three practical tricks she learnt which will help you handle daily parenting battles.

This is such good advice for parents from a perhaps unlikely source
: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... #edusky #parenting

Yesterday, we launched a snap poll to understand school leaders’ views on Ofsted’s revised approach to inspection.

More than 1,400 leaders responded in less than 24 hours, overwhelmingly rejecting the inspectorate’s plans.

Ofsted should pause and rethink its plans.

Thread 👇

Such an important piece, that articulates exactly what I’m increasingly trying to express to parents. Compassion for suffering matters deeply. But when everyday uncertainty and effort are framed as harm, and diagnosis becomes the default response, the long-term consequences for children feel bleak.

Schools are doing more with less: juggling rising costs, expanding expectations and tight budgets while still delivering great outcomes for pupils. A must-read for anyone who cares about education - school-matters.org/2026/01/17/h... #edusky #edteach @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social

I understand why extracts are used, but I can’t help feeling a sense of loss. The technicalities of reading are important, yet a love of reading is even more so.

Its all about relationships!

School Matters! The educated view

Stats behind screen time guidance are a wake-up call: Daily TV significantly narrows vocabulary. April’s guidance is a chance to reset. By prioritising talk over tablets, we can reclaim those vital early years for language and discovery. school-matters.org/reflections-... #EdSky #ChildDevelopment

Why Australia’s Social Media Ban Matters Last month, Australia took the bold step of banning children’s social media access. It is a decision that has sparked fierce debate, but one that I strongly support. Not because I am against tech, …

My thoughts on Australia's #socialmediaban school-matters.org/2026/01/10/w.... #edusky @smartphonefree.bsky.social #ChildMH #edteach

The Power of Role Modeling in Parenting In school, we talk a lot about “role models”. Teachers know pupils are watching, so we work hard to be positive examples. We are rarely perfect, and that’s part of our role-modelling.  Parents are our children’s most important teachers. Children learn far more from what we do than from what we say. Home is where they first see what love looks like, what respect feels like, and how adults behave when life is difficult.

Role modelling isn’t about perfection but about trying to be the kind of person we hope they will become.

The Power of Role Modeling in Parenting In school, we talk a lot about “role models”. Teachers know pupils are watching, so we work hard to be positive examples. We are rarely perfect, and that’s part of our role-modelling. Parents are our children’s most important teachers. Children learn far more from what we do than from what we say. Home is where they first see what love looks like, what respect feels like, and how adults behave when life is difficult.

The Power of Role Modeling in Parenting

In school, we talk a lot about “role models”. Teachers know pupils are watching, so we work hard to be positive examples. We are rarely perfect, and that’s part of our role-modelling. Parents are our children’s most important teachers. Children learn far…

Saying "no" is surprisingly hard for some parents: school-matters.org/2025/12/10/t...

The Power of Saying ‘No’

“Long-term well-being always trumps short-term peace.”Recently, I’ve noticed a shift in parenting, with many of usfeeling pressure to keep our children happy at all times. Themoment a child cries or looks unhappy, we rush to fix it. Whatoften gets missed is how quickly…

Is Tutoring Really Necessary? Over the past few years, it has often felt as though the world around children has become increasingly complicated. Childhood seems to be shifting faster than any of us can keep up with. As a headt…

Read my recent blog on tutoring here: school-matters.org/2025/12/06/i...