AntwisCollaborative

Musings from a school and MAT leader

  • What really changes – and what stays the same – for schools and trusts The publication of Every Child Achieving and Thriving marks the most significant statement of direction for schools and SEND in England for several years. As with any major white paper, it has prompted both hope and anxiety across the sector. From…

  • One thing that really gets our goat is bad data. Data that fails to tell the right story, or provide valid and reliable evidence, can leave school leaders bewildered rather than informed. Nicki has recently served as a Trustee and Chair of Governors during inspections under the new Ofsted framework, seeing firsthand how these changes…

  • A personal reflection I still remember the first time I led a pupil progress meeting as a new headteacher. I had spreadsheets, graphs, and color-coded charts ready to go. What I didn’t have, however, was a plan for the silence that followed when I showed those numbers. The teachers weren’t seeing data — they were…

  • It’s the start of the new year and you’re thinking – how can I getthrough this year and achieve the best possible outcomes for my pupils andstaff? While academic achievement is a cornerstone of our work, there’s aneven deeper current flowing beneath it that’s absolutely vital: mental health.It’s the silent force that can either empower…

  • Since the start of my teaching career, I’ve spent most of my time in Early Years and Key Stage 1. It’s fair to say that much of my day — and sometimes even my dreams  revolves around phonics! Many education professionals still view phonics as an EYFS or KS1 skill, but increasingly, both the reading…