Headteacher - Teaching Expertise

On the general subject of climate change, this assembly invites students to consider how easily we become sceptical, and the effect this might have on the world’s poorest people

Fifty years ago this month, the Greensboro Four sat down for a coffee in Woolworths. This assembly explores the lessons their act of bravery teaches us

Governors play a vital strategic role in the management of a school, so it is worth investing some time and resource in making sure that they are performing as effectively as possible

The recently published Lamb Report on special educational needs (SEN) and parental confidence has made some interesting recommendations. But are they all realistic? Westley Laird reviews the report and reflects on its viability

This assembly reflects on the idea of hope, challenging listeners to engage in hopeful thinking for the future. It refers to the recent events in Haiti, as well as the memorial services recently held to remember the victims of the Holocaust

This assembly discusses seven year old Charlie’s remarkable fundraising effort for Haiti, highlighting the concerns and efforts of all young fundraisers. It contains a Christian message and a short story from the Bible

Good relationships with unions are important to school leaders; these work best if roles and communication are clear and issues are dealt with regularly in a spirit of openness and honesty

This assembly for secondary school pupils looks at the tradition of Groundhog Day, considers why we get bored of routine, and why we should think twice about it

The Haitian earthquake of 12th January has been a highly featured issue on every news channel and in every newspaper. This assembly helps teachers explain to children what has happened, why it won’t happen in Britain, and that there are things that are being done to help

In the light of recent high-profile data losses by government agencies and banks, the government has signalled its intention to impose hefty fines on organisations that breach the Data Protection Act. Simon White, a data protection expert at Browne Jacobson LLP, assesses the impact this will have on schools

School business managers may sometimes be called upon to deal with staff behaviour that is causing problems – this week we look at how to deal effectively with this thorny issue

David Gordon looks at the problem of fraudulent admissions applications and provides a set of common ruses to look out for

This ezine shows that there’s no secret to good staff management – communication, building and maintaining relationships and managing staff development are the keys to a satisfied and effective school workforce

In this assembly Brian Radcliffe invites students to consider an imaginative way to recycle an unsightly and invasive type of litter

Miep Gies died this week aged 100. She helped shelter Anne Frank’s family during the Second World War and saved Anne’s diaries which were published to great acclaim

In this e-bulletin we consider how productive working relationships and conversation can be encouraged through reorganising the structure of staff meetings

Jane Golightly starts the term by asking - are you making the most of yourself as a school leader? - and offers examples of best practice to measure yourself against

Gerald Haigh looks at the effect of hard winters - not only on people, but on the wildlife of our country

The Children, Schools and Families Bill is due to have its second reading in the House of Commons on 11 January 2010. If the unamended Bill becomes an Act, it will grant Academy Trusts exempt charity status. Vicki Hair examines the current charitable status of Academy Trusts and what the change will mean

In this assembly, Joe Walker considers the extent to which we are all masters of our own destiny, as we begin another decade. The assembly challenges listeners to consider not how the next year might turn out, but how they might shape 2010

This week’s copy, by Katie Michelon, examines key proposals of the new Children, Schools and Families Bill including new rules on accountability for schools, parental responsibility, curriculum, National Challenge schools, school report cards and home school guarantees

This assembly uses the popularity of advent calendars to consider what our values should be as we prepare for the season of goodwill

In the third of our e-bulletins about staffing, we look at how senior leaders should tackle the sometimes difficult, but important issue of underperformance of staff

This primary assembly centres around presents, helping children think about the purpose of present-buying, and their own feelings about both giving and receiving

Successive Ofsted regimes have made changes to the inspection framework. This e-bulletin looks at the latest one, which came into use in September 2009, and suggests some issues for you to consider

Schools can do their best for each child only if families and carers are involved in children’s learning. Jane Golightly considers the reasons why some schools are great at involving families, while others struggle

The recent Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) decision by the High Court in the case X Endowed Primary School v Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (2009) could impact significantly on schools. Westley Laird reviews the case and discusses how this decision could affect your school

In this assembly, Brian Radcliffe invites students to consider the rise in incidents of violence between teenagers, even in apparently safe relationships

This assembly looks at the history of the Red Arrows, Kirsty’s historic achievement, and, briefly, the changing role of women in the military

Joe Walker explores the idea of being prepared to speak out against injustice – even when it could have negative consequences for you

Jane Golightly asks, how well do you know your school, are you a visible leader, and advises on how to rectify both

This assembly marks the 150th anniversary of the publication of ‘The Origin of Species’ by Charles Darwin on November 24th 1859. It tells the story of a book which has greatly influenced the development of science and provides opportunity for further discussion

The General Teaching Council for England (GTCE) has recently introduced a new Code of Practice which came into force in October. Nearly 10 years since it was first established, Katie Michelon examines the GTCE’s role and how it carries out its regulatory function

This is the first edition of fortnightly e-bulletin, Secondary Headship. Published alongside our print newsletter of the same name, will provide you with topical information and advice to support your work as a senior leader in a secondary school

This assembly looks at what happens when somebody cheats, with reference to a recent football match

In this assembly Brian Radcliffe invites students to consider the 20th anniversary of the demolition of the Berlin Wall that began in November 1989

Jane Golightly discusses how to make sure that your educational establishment makes a difference in your pupils lives

This primary assembly discusses the gold medalist sprinter Usain Bolt and his recent adoption of a cheetah, and explores the idea of celebrities using their fame for good causes

Admissions appeals based on admission decisions seem to be a constant thorn in the side of schools and admissions authorities. A recent High Court decision focusing on when a school is ‘full’ will remind appeal panels of the evidence they need to consider. How could the case impact on your school?

This SEAL assembly for primary school children examines the feeling of loss when a loved on dies, and the idea of having keepsakes to remind us of them

In this assembly Brian Radcliffe invites students to consider how and why we give awards. Students are encouraged to consider what awards they might give within their school

The primary assembly takes a lighthearted look at the tradition of Halloween, with a reference to the Halloween scene in ‘Meet me in St Louis’, and also explains the meaning of All Saints Day

Jane Golightly gives advice on how to keep your priorities in sight when using data to focus on your school improvement

This secondary SEAL assembly looks at the personal qualities of determination and perseverance

What are the legal considerations to the topic of pupil voice within education? Mark Blois discusses

This assembly discusses at the stories of companionship and friendship between presidents, presidential families and their dogs