BLOGS AND ARTICLES  

When we talk about education, it is easy to become focused on what happens within our own schools, our own communities and our own national system. Yet sometimes, looking beyond our borders gives us the opportunity to step back and ask a much bigger question: What really makes an education system successful? Is it the grades on the paper? The life experiences? The wellbeing, resilience and confidence? Or perhaps there is not a definitive answer. I have a personal connection t

Sport has long been recognised as a powerful tool for improving physical health, but for teenage girls, its impact goes far deeper. Inclusive sporting environments play a critical role in shaping wellbeing, mental health, confidence, and lifelong fitness habits. Yet despite these benefits, a significant number of girls disengage from sport during adolescence. Understanding why—and addressing it through inclusion—is essential. Youth Sports Trust - girls in sport The Drop-Off P

“I don’t know what I’m doing.” “I feel like a fake.” “Any moment now, someone’s going to catch me out.” Feeling Imposter Syndrome in the work place. For many educators and school leaders, these thoughts are far more common than we are happy to admit. Behind successful lessons, leadership responsibilities and professional achievements, countless teachers quietly battle feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. This experience is widely known as imposter syndrome — the persistent

Over the last decade, concerns surrounding children’s mental health in the UK have increased dramatically, with the most significant rise occurring after 2017 and during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2017, around one in nine children aged 6–16 in England were identified as having a probable mental health disorder, but by 2023 this figure had risen to one in five children. This represents an increase of approximately 75% in just six years. NHS data also shows a sharp rise in the n

Inclusion in education is often discussed in terms of access and wellbeing —ensuring that every child can attend school, participate fully in lessons and that they feel valued and they have a sense of belonging. Ofsted's inclusion framework explains that schools must demonstrate how they are addressing the needs of disadvantaged and SEND students. The Ofsted framework focuses on ensuring strong inclusion practices are in place, linking to the inclusion audit, which outlines h

If you haven’t already encountered a Sensory Nook in your day to day outings then the chances are you will do so in the near future. As a...

As I write, tomorrow is Friday 1st December. The crib will be placed at the heart of our school, decorations and trees will be coming out...

After a week of school runs and back to work routines I’ve been reflecting on the African Proverb “It takes a village to raise a child”...