I was recently invited to an end of year celebration, along with my old Deputy, and it was genuinely touching. The warmth from children and parents alike was overwhelming, and hearing their fond recollections of the time my Deputy and I spent there filled my heart with gratitude. Their stories reminded me why we entered … Continue reading
When adults unite with a shared purpose—putting children and young people first—something remarkable happens. Barriers dissolve, egos step aside, and genuine progress becomes possible. This transformation doesn’t occur through grand gestures or complex strategies, but through the simple yet profound act of truly listening to one another. Real collaboration begins with mutual respect. It means … Continue reading
Looking back on my time as a co-opted primary headteacher to ASCL Council, I’m struck by how transformative these past two years have been. What began as an opportunity quickly became something far more profound—a masterclass in collaborative leadership and unwavering dedication to education. The organisation is positively littered with truly brilliant people. I don’t … Continue reading
Investing in high-quality professional development proves transformational for leadership teams and organisational improvement journeys. When facilitators bring a professional yet engaging delivery style, they create an environment where meaningful learning flourishes naturally. What makes professional development truly effective is an adaptive approach – skilled facilitators who can read the room and adjust their delivery to … Continue reading
Kindness and brilliance form an unbeatable combination. When we approach each day with genuine compassion while continuously pushing for excellence, we create ripples that transform our surroundings. Kindness isn’t weakness—it’s strength expressed through understanding. Yet true kindness doesn’t mean accepting mediocrity. We must challenge those who consistently underdeliver. When someone routinely falls short of their … Continue reading
As a school leader I’ve found that principles of high performance transcend contexts. Recently, while listening to Ryan Mason on episode 182 of the High Performance Podcast, I was struck by how his insights mirror what we strive to cultivate in education. Ryan emphasised three fundamental values: respect, hard work, and a willingness to listen … Continue reading
Episode 167 of the High Performance Podcast delves into the world of Adam Grant, an organisational psychologist, author, professor and podcast host himself. In the relentless pursuit of achievement, we often find ourselves trapped in a cycle of validation-seeking. As Adam Grant wisely points out, we should “stop trying to prove yourself; improve yourself instead.” … Continue reading
How often do you make a change, look to improve or challenge yourself? It’s not always that easy and it certainly isn’t something that everyone enjoys. Does that mean however that we should stand still and do what has always been the way, whatever that way is? Change for some can be quite a challenge … Continue reading
Whilst I reflect on the way we engage with each other, Mark Finnis writes in his book about conversations being nothing more than a series of small chats. I always seek daily chats with children, staff and parents to increase understanding – they are sometimes a challenge for some. That may be a question the … Continue reading
Whenever I show prospective parents and their children around school, I am always keen to find out what makes the child tick. In Mark’s book he talks about that sense of belonging and a quote from Peter Block which goes like this… It gives me great delight when our children and parents feel a real … Continue reading
Denham Kite 