Leadership and Policy


Your first steps in your first headship

Taking up your first headship can be a daunting experience. Headteacher and National Leader of Education Helen Frostick looks at some of the short-term goals you should focus on to help you hit the ground running




Staff wellbeing and mental health

Brian Taylor looks at new recommendations from NICE about the mental health and wellbeing of your staff and discusses how Employee Assistance Programmes may be able to help


The risks of social networking

Social media has brought a new way of communicating into our schools. It has also brought a risk of us sharing too much. Suzanne O'Connell seeks expert advice for school leaders



The six Rs of a successful school

What are the key tenets of a successful school? Anton Junior School is an Ofsted outstanding school in every area, with a long waiting list and excellent results. Headteacher of 12 years, Tom Donohoe, outlines the six Rs of his leadership and education philosophy – recruitment, responsibility, ...


A guide to subject leadership

What does subject leadership look like in a primary school environment? Headteacher John Tilley discusses the introduction of defined principles and approaches for subject leadership in his school, including a Subject Leader Guide



Fundraising: Proving a project is needed

When looking to secure funding for your school, a key challenge is successfully arguing a need for your project and deciding who should lead your grant fundraising efforts. John Ellery offers his advice


Effective relationships with your governors

The effectiveness of governing bodies is now strongly linked to school improvement and successful inspection outcomes. Harry James considers some of the basics of strong relationships between leadership and governors


SEND reform – what has been achieved?

The SEND Code of Practice is full of high hopes and good intentions. Almost a year on from its publication, are these now translating into the SEND provision that had been anticipated? We look at the unfolding of SEND reform in our schools





Brindishe Schools: The power of three...

A tour of a family of three Ofsted outstanding schools in London uncovers some of their secrets to success, including a curriculum tailored to cater for diverse communities. Fiona Aubrey-Smith explains


Setting up a PTA

Headteacher David Barnett offers some advice on how to successfully introduce a Parent Teacher Association to your school community



A framework for strategic school governance

Setting a school’s strategic direction is a core function of the governing body, but it can be challenging. Ellie Howarth explains the elements of effective strategic governance detailed in a new resource


British values: What are England's schools doing?

British values are nothing new – this is the message Headteacher Update is hearing from headteachers. Call it community cohesion, SMSC or religious education, most primary schools are already teaching British values. Now they must make sure inspectors see it too.


The Education Show 2015

Sponsored

The Education Show returns to the NEC in Birmingham from March 19 to 21 with a range of CPD, workshops and exhibitors on offer. We look at some of the highlights


Funding for school buildings

Finding the money to repair and maintain your school buildings is a major headache for school leaders. Kate Gilliford looks at some possible funding streams


A General Election wish-list

With the General Election looming ever closer, Nick Bannister asked three primary headteachers what policy commitments they want to see from the main political parties


Finding the balance with homework

Too much? Too little? And is it really worth it in the end? The debate surrounding homework continues amid concerns that it exacerbates disadvantage. Suzanne O’Connell asks schools about their policies

Sign up Headteacher update Bulletin
About Us

Headteacher Update is a magazine, website, podcast and regular ebulletin dedicated to the primary school leadership team. We tackle a wide range of leadership issues, offering best practice, case studies and in-depth information, advice and guidance. Headteacher Update magazine is distributed free to approximately 20,000 primary school headteachers.

Learn more about Headteacher update

Newsletter

Register to receive regular updates on primary education news delivered free to your inbox.