E-bulletins - Leadership and Management

Jane Golightly previously discussed why home-school partnerships are valuable and how to build one with parents. In this issue, she discusses the importance of sustaining and developing these relationships throughout the child's primary years

In this SEAL assembly for secondary students, Brian Radcliffe encourages students to consider the latest techniques used for painting the Forth Bridge, taking from it advice about ways to tackle recurring problems

Mark Blois looks at how changes to the machinery of government are affecting the delivery of education for 16 to 19 year olds

The England women’s cricket team is currently in Australia taking part in the World Cup – and doing rather well. This assembly looks at the history of cricket as a game in itself and as a game for women, and discusses some of the members of the women’s team.

This secondary assembly looks at the concept of fair trade, with reference to the recent ‘Fairtrade Fortnight’ which took place from 22nd February to 7th March.

This assembly for primary children centres around one man's sense of adventure, teaching children the importance of inquisitive minds

An effective home-school partnership is vital for giving learners the best opportunities possible. Jane Golightly discusses why it matters and how it can be built in Primary Leadership Focus

This secondary assembly offers the author's view of the miners' strike of 1984-5, drawing similarities with the current recession crisis and highlighting the benefits of community life

Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is a major school rebuilding programme. It is the biggest single government investment in improving school buildings in the last 50 years and its aim is to rebuild or remodel every secondary school across the UK, totalling 3,500 schools

This assembly looks at school transition, which can be a stressful time for children and their parents. It considers children in the UK who are moving from one school to another, and also children across the world who are not able to go to school at all

This assembly for secondary schools discusses the charity event Red Nose Day. It uses dialogue to present and evaluate the work of Comic Relief. The script may be adapted to take account of any planned school involvement

This primary assembly looks at the actual and the Christian symbolic arrival of spring, as well as the traditions of Lent and the Green Man

As part of Primary Leadership Focus, Jane Golightly considers the important role that governors play in a primary school, and affirms the importance of a good school-governor partnership

This secondary assembly takes a SEAL perspective and concentrates on forgiveness, using the life and career of Abraham Lincoln as an example of someone who was prepared to restore broken relationships. It encourages students to reflect on how they could restore such relationships themselves

This e-bulletin discusses LAs having the power to intervene in situations where schools are causing concern, often following an Ofsted inspection

This citizenship assembly explains the concept of Fairtrade, setting it in the context of what we mean by “fairness” in our dealings with other people.

In this assembly Brian Radcliffe invites students to consider the health of their hearts, focussing on the British Heart Foundation’s Go Red for Heart campaign

This SEAL primary assembly looks at the culture of giving rewards and awards and examines the feelings involved, including jealousy - using the Academy Awards as a discussion point

Clarity of leadership themes is an ambition we should strive for in our schools – in this case, with reference to CPD. Here Jane Golightly looks at two themes to start the discussion - the big picture within the school and outward-looking CPD for multi-agency working

This SEAL assembly for primary schools aims to educate primary school children on Alzheimers and memory loss in older generations, and encourages them to sympathise with, rather than laugh at, the difficulties it presents them with

Team work and the importance of successful school staff team building are the subject of this ezine for primary school leaders by Jane Golightly

This secondary assembly looks at the negative effects of hatred with reference to the Holocaust Memorial Day, Tuesday 27th January, the theme of which was, “Stand up to hatred!”

The Joint Committee on Human Rights has called on the government to adopt a Bill of Rights that goes beyond the existing legislation. Kate Mills looks at the proposals that relate to education

This primary PSHEE assembly focuses around the 'credit crunch', understanding that, although young children may not understand what it is, they may well have picked up on the negative connotations surrounding it. It therefore attempts to give them advice on how to help at home

This SEAL assembly encourages secondary students to consider how words can be the cause of pain and suffering

Jane Golightly discusses the issues school senior leadership teams might want to consider as they begin the new calendar year, to prepare for the future and ensure a successful 2009

This PSHE assembly discusses pupils’ admiration of their personal heroes, and looks at the emotion of envy – urging them to distinguish between wanting to be someone else and wanting to be like someone else

Should people sentenced to community service punishment be required to wear uniforms? Or is that “stigmatising”? This PSHE secondary assembly explains the origin of the word “stigma”, and discusses the right and wrong ways to judge other people

Wearing religious symbols in school has become a sensitive and increasingly public issue, in relation to correct school uniform. Mark Blois looks at a recent case and explains the legal position and the implications for schools

The Holocaust of the Second World War is the subject of this assembly for primary schools. Gerald Haigh tells the story of the Holocaust in order to give an overview of how the murder of so many innocent people occured, offering a message about the potential consequences of racism and oppression of minorities

This secondary assembly looks at the inauguration of President Barack Obama. It asks students to think about the importance of planning new beginnings and endeavours well in order to make sure that are a success

This is the second of two articles looking at academies, focusing on some of the interesting and developing legal issues relating to the academies programme, including overriding statutory legislation, obligations under the funding agreement, academies’ duty of care, and issues of health and safety and negligence

This assembly covers part of the primary PSHE curriculum, teaching children about the difference between the common cold and the flu, and how to avoid catching germs

Human rights is the focus of this assembly, as Brian Radcliffe invites students to consider the 60th birthday of the launch of the UNUDHR, discussing its relevance today and why it is important for young people to be aware of it

This primary assembly looks at the history of the BBC’s ‘Sports Personality of the Year’ award, and questions what it means to be shortlisted as well as to win the award

Primary headteachers should strive for a consistent approach to school improvement. Jane Golightly explores this process, explaining why you need to consider Who, What and How when following your vision

This assembly examines our relationship with Christmas, challenging listeners to ask themselves why they might be celebrating during the Christmas season and how far their celebrations match up with their own beliefs

What is different about academies, and what is it about these schools that provokes such a diversity of feelings in education professionals and parents alike? Susie Roome focuses on this hot topic, which has recently seen much press interest and community debate generated by the government’s expanding programme

This Christmas assembly explores the story of the carol Silent Night, and also its power to bring people together. There are various stories and legends about how the carol came to be written; this assembly tells only what’s known as fact

This assembly for key stages 3-4 looks at the meaning of Christmas as a festival which brings people together. It suggests that students compare the preparation of a Christmas pudding with the social and spiritual ingredients needed for a successful Christmas!

The Christian period of Advent is the focus of this primary assembly, suitable for all religions, which then examines the emotions of anticipation, patience and excitement that come with waiting for a notable event

What is your vision for your school? Jane Golightly discusses the factors important in developing a real, responsive vision for your school, and explains how a clear vision can help to create a common purpose

Do you share good news as well as bad? This assembly encourages students to share good news as well as bad, using Saint Andrew as an example (Saint Andrew’s day is celebrated on November 30th)

What does it mean to be alone; does it necessarily mean the same as lonely? This assembly considers the determination 16 year old Michael Perham will need when he sails around the world, and also explores why it can be difficult to be alone, away from family and friends

What sort of humour is acceptable and what might be seen as bullying or discrimination? This assembly by John Coutts considers the question in the light of a recent sporting event

What are your responsibilities and obligations towards pupils at your school who are disabled? Mark Blois discusses the relevant legislation and explains what you need to know and do

A chicken has taken up residence and become a local celebrity in a busy suburb of Madrid. This primary assembly uses this news story to raise the issue that some people have to work hard to survive in difficult surroundings

School improvement can be a challenging aspect of primary headship. The first issue of our e-bulletin Primary Leadership Focus gives primary headteachers practical suggestions and takes a common sense approach to school improvement

Consent is required for many aspects of school life but it is not always clear what form this must take. Kate Mills looks at the issue of consent; when it is required, who needs to provide it, and how a school should go about getting it

Who happens to all the money we give to charity? What kind of thing do charities raise money for? This assembly for primary schools looks at the ethos of fundraising for others, in particular BBC Children in Need, as well as looking at some of the wackier ideas of people raising money

E-bulletins – Leadership and Management