Articles - Leadership and Management

There are pros and cons of chosing to take the franchise option to expand. Angela Youngman reports read more

A useful update on the current law regarding discrimination is provided by Patti Turner

How do you respond if a parent starts complaining about your setting or your staff? Steve Mynard advises that you start with prevention

What are the legal implications of greater collaborative working between education and health care professionals, asks Amelia Newbold read more

The relationship of teachers in the workplace is an under-researched area. Educational psychologist Kairen Cullen discusses her study read more

What affect did the New Relationship with Schools (NRwS) have on schools and school improvement? Headteacher Trevor Bailey takes a critical look at its impact

Donald Maclean outlines some of the latest techniques and new technologies being introduced to help school finance staff keep utility costs under control read more

The school business manager’s role goes beyond simply managing finances, says Hilary Morrison read more

Sharon Wallwork provides comprehensive advice on dealing with a decline in student numbers. She argues that, far from being something that only schools in specific circumstances should be concerned about, all educational institutions need to assess the risks of declining numbers and the huge financial implications this can bring read more

What are the benefits of becoming a bank account school? We begin a series of best practice advice features with a look at the implications of a school having its own bank account

I have just got back from the SFM annual conference in London: a long journey for me, but definitely worth it – not only because it gave me the opportunity to present a couple of sessions, but also because it is encouraging to see the quality and variety of business management professionals who are now working in our schools. read more

Can - and indeed should - someone from a background other than teaching become a school leader? School business manager Ruth Bradbury explains her aspirations to become a school leader and, below, two readers respond with their comment

As schools open their doors to new categories of visitor, they must take an audit of risk and danger on the premises, writes Sarah Freeston. read more

Proving public benefit will be essential if you want to retain tax exemptions, write William Colacicchi and Mark Blois

Schools will have to be more aware of these particularly vulnerable children when they review policy and practice, writes Ingrid Sutherland read more

Q: Can an employee who secretly taped a disciplinary hearing use the tape as evidence at a tribunal? read more

Working to promote a positive image for your school can be a powerful tool for school improvement and can provide a focus for staff efforts on many fronts, argues Brin Best, education writer and director of Innovation for Education Ltd. read more

‘Community cohesion’ is now a legal obligation on school governors and we must make the best of it, says Richard Bird, former headteacher and now legal consultant to the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL). He asks how teaching of history could contribute to this objective. read more

An independent report compiled for the government has suggested that a number of key aspects of school governance need to be reformed.

School governors can play a crucial role in safeguarding the future leadership of schools by taking a more systematic approach to the recruitment and appointment of headteachers. read more

Kim Sparling, headteacher at Oldfield School in Bath, analyses the ingredients of her school's high achievements read more

David Dixon adds his voice to the debate about the role of the headteacher in today's schools and suggests that ‘fast-track’ and non-teaching heads may be the poorer for missing out on the daily detail of school life read more

Trish Lowson, school link officer for inclusive learning at Calderdale metropolitan borough council, introduces Vision into Practice – Ensuring Every Child Matters, a self-evaluation tool for inclusive learning. read more

Fundraising should be seen as a powerful means of school improvement, rather than an isolated activity carried out by the Parent Teacher Association, argues Brin Best, education writer and director of Innovation for Education Ltd read more

Sue Pidgeon, National Strategies primary senior regional adviser, and Karen Jarmany, National Strategies primary regional adviser, explain how the Intensifying Support Programme works to raise standards in low-attaining schools. read more

A learning partner can help you influence your organisation to move in a more emotionally literate direction, as Peter Sharp, director of learning for MouchelParkman, explains read more

Ruth Bradbury provides some practical advice for how you can stay ahead of the game. read more

Government initiatives regarding financial management should be accompanied by more training and support, says Geri Skwarek

Gill O’Donnell argues that schools need to take a proactive approach to fire alarms if they are not to fall foul of the new disability discrimination legislation

Nina Siddle explains how her school is working to improve the effectiveness of the governing body with respect to the new financial management standard for schools. read more

A Case Study: Anita Brown, Deputy Headteacher, Ponteland Community High School, Northumberland. read more

This article explores the legal responsibilities of educational authorities towards a child who misses school due to bullying

Bob Jelley argues that success is essential since, for many youngsters, a teacher may be one of the most significant male role models in their lives. read more

Pat Barnes, education consultant and former head, urges headteachers to take a fresh look at their work-life balance

Nina Siddle explains how one school in East Yorkshire found widespread benefits from engaging with the Investors in People programme read more

Professional teams can make the agenda for change work, says Dr Nick Johnson OBE. read more

Ruth Bradbury outlines the cost of staff absence to schools and explains how a range of practical measures can help staff to maintain a better attendance record for the benefit of themselves and the school.

Headteachers Anne Clarke and Annabelle Guyver analyse the benefits that trips abroad bring to participating pupils and to the staff leading them

New rules call for closer cooperation between local authority and school, giving increased protection to children at risk, writes Ingrid Sutherland. read more

Casterton Business and Enterprise College (CEBC) is one of three truly comprehensive Rutland secondary schools with 800 pupils on role in Years 7-11. Here they outline their approach to communicating and working with parents

Working to meet the standards laid down by Investors in People (IIP) is an effective way of raising standards and improving staff morale, argues former head Roger Smith. read more

Counselling is often touted as a solution to challenging behaviour and as a way of meeting needs that are beyond the scope of a school’s pastoral care mechanisms. But is it? Adrian King, independent health education consultant and qualified counsellor looks at what it can realistically deliver. read more

Reticence to engage with parents on the part of schools can be deep-seated. Teachers may not be aware of the benefits that parents can bring to the learning experience and the students may not realise that they will benefit too. Julie McGrane looks at how parental engagement can be initiated and how schools can find the forms of engagement that work best

No matter how watertight the contract with parents, schools must implement it correctly and fairly if they want removal of a pupil to be upheld, says Mark Blois

New maternity and flexible working rights mean employers must brush up on the law, says Derek Eccleston

How can personalisation work in practice? Headteacher Paula Allen spoke to Bob Cox to explain how it’s done at Dorney Combined School.

Involvement in European energy awareness projects can bring a multitude of benefits to the pupils and staff of schools, as well as to the planet, says headteacher David Dixon

Bringing school and community expectations into line with national priorities and targets is just one of the many challenges facing new heads. Richard Bird, former headteacher and now legal consultant to the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), charts the road to success. read more

A proposed change in the law would raise the legal age for purchasing tobacco. Peter Downes discusses the implications for schools. read more

Articles – Leadership and Management