How to save money.... PPA? Subject lead release? HLTAs etc already used. Ideas welcome.

So, shorter summer holidays are on the way. Not happy. 😞

Been a while. So much going on. Looking forward to catching up with what has been going on

Strangest interview questions.... do share.

"Would you still want the job if it was in...(Insert completely different location)....?"

"Erm, no."

"That's profound"

Is it really though. Bit like asking if you would still shop at Sainsbury's if it was in Syria?

Round and round with SEN,
No funding or spaces (here we go again).
Solutions or a plan can't be found,
This is running us into the ground

Still fighting the good fight, focused on what we believe's right.
Local authority really is sh*te, failing, try as I might.
Battles are start to get me down,
Smile and try not to frown,

5am. Run. Dog walk. First proper exercise I've got done in a couple of years. All before the kids get up. Quiet coffee now. Who'd have thought you can feel this good, this early. AND I can fit this in with work and family commitments. 😃

Merry Christmas all. Gavin and Stacey done. Loved it. Can't wait for Outnumbered tomorrow!

Decent enough line up. Fingers crossed.

It's the final Monday (de de Der Der, de de ler de Der...) it's the final Monday!

Well deserved. Huge effort from the boys last night. Great to see some fire and urgency.

Took my three boys to shops today. My 3yo drops a toy and walks off. I ask him to pick it up. A very polite, kind boy picks it up and places it on the shelf. He recognises me as he attends my school. I thank him. He probably thinks nothing of it. I walk away thinking what a lovely young man. 🙂👏

Really sad this has happened. I don't think anyone could have done a better job all things considered. The only question really is whether the training the players were doing contributed to the injury list. Regardless, a good manager who made players better.

How on earth can/do any primary schools increase revenue or even come close to balancing the budget. Worried.

I'd invest it and hope to turn it into something which could make a difference, say a couple of billion....

Finding the exploration of AI fascinating, particularly the ease at which you can simplify or stretch texts for pupils, whilst keeping the same key information e.g. for a history learning intention. So much potential for schools if utilised and researched well it's unreal. 😃🤯

Thanks for all the follows. I'd be interested to know how many edu people have issues with social media/WhatsApp parent chat. It's reared it's head again after a few years of quiet. Ideas and sharing of approaches taken always welcomed and appreciated.

Predominantly local authorities not doing their part.

I am permanently in a state of confusion at present. I cannot understand how UK education seems so broken, despite recognising that the skillset many teachers have is way in advance of what it ever has been. I feel a lone voice in supporting my staff. So much conflict, aggression and anger from kids

Welcome Stanley. From a Northampton Town fan who saw you score a peach at Sixfields many years ago. 😃

Oh bloomin heck, how can that many million people even consider that clown to be leader of any country, let alone one of the biggest. 🤯🫨🫣

Yep. I'm with you.

Wow. Another rollercoaster week. When did the views of professionals become so insignificant? How did this happen? Why? How do we reclaim/renew this???? 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

The question really is, what were each trusts response to the letter sent and what has or is actually happening about it? Is their action in breach of academy handbook or the Nolan Principles? If so, I'm dead keen to know how this will be tackled. Some big knighthood names in the mix......🧐🧐🧐

Thanks, I'm there with that, but probably due to how frustrated I'm feeling, I fear the answer is that it would be the same, but with someone else feeling like they're failing due to the climate schools are working in. 😵‍💫

Too many conflicting things, funding Vs reality, parents Vs schools, schools Vs LAs, government Vs schools etc etc etc maybe the most deflated I have been for a long time. Solutions on a postcard please. 🫤

I'm all about stoicism and focusing on what I can influence and control in role, but it is becoming more and more challenging to do so. Helping children achieve success and making a real difference seems so out of reach.

A much better and more positive appraisal (first meeting ran out of time). Definitely a change in approach and some recognition of how far things have come in a relatively short time. Today was more like the experience I'd want my staff to get. 🙂

Confrontational appraisals. Never been able to understand the necessity. I would not want my staff to feel the process has been like that for them, yet that is how I am feeling about my own. Another element of the role and one which may be part of the reason why the role is undesirable to many. 🫤