We’re in the final push of the house move so packing has been the order of the day. Hard to leave a house after 20 years. Today’s wrench was all our old Rough Guide and Lonely Planet books from our travels. Our notes and budgets written into the back. This is tough.

I have been working with a company to rebrand and update my website. I’m pleased that it’s finished and I’m delighted with it. Hope you like it too! For the next month, if anyone contacts me via the website, they’ll receive a 10% discount. www.mattdechaine.com

It’s contract negotiation season for me. It’s always an anxious time, particularly with school budgets being stretched. I know I’m biased but investing in coaching is worth it! Thankfully most have renewed but I will have some spaces opening in September. Get in touch 🙌

Had a brilliant day with of group coaching and celebration of the past year with school leaders. Really uplifting and affirming. Only negative was that my left ear is totally blocked!! Everything is muffled! Booked for treatment tomorrow and can’t wait!

Super excited about the upcoming #EduDrinks live!! DM if you’d like more information. Will be loads of fun and a great way to meet edu folk in real life.

It’s been a good coaching week. Seen a lot of people and feel I’ve made a difference. I am knackered but good coaching is often tiring for all parties. Got next week off to chill, walk, rest, play and a bit of house decorating. I like the knackered but contented feeling.

The scotch eggs came out well and Bramble enjoyed them too!!

We have a rare day off together tomorrow so we’ve planned to do a good walk with Bramble and have a picnic. Decided to make a couple of scotch eggs. They should fill us up! 😂

Really looking forward to #EduDrinks live in Birmingham next month. If you want to find out more just dm me or @deputypaul.bsky.social Will be a lovely afternoon and evening with guaranteed laughs!

This has come out bigger and better than expected!! Tomato, wild garlic and Parmesan tear and share bread.

Had a really brilliant day today. Was facilitating coaching training with a wonderful group. Was our 6th day together since July and we have 2 to go. It’s a real privilege to see and experience their progress and growing love of coaching. So important that coaches are qualified.

Nice dinner tonight. Roasted butternut squash, wild garlic and feta risotto with pancetta. Worth the effort.

The yorkies are good!

We’re in Norfolk for the week staying at a house owned by Gennaro Contaldo. We spoke on the phone last night and I said I was cooking bolognese. He then talked me through his own recipe. I didn’t have the heart to tell him I was using Dolmio 😂

Continuing the cooking with chicken and pork meatballs in a tomato, olive and roasted garlic sauce. Will be serving with linguine.

Pudding! Apple crumble cheesecake made by my husband. 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

Tonight is slow cooked shin of beef. Waiting for it to cool!!

Lovely dinner tonight. Tofu and egg omelette stir fry with Singapore noodles.

Dinner tonight is @nigella.bsky.social Chicken with orzo. A super recipe!

Super dinner! Marry me chicken curry, Dishoom’s house black daal and stuffed paratha (not homemade!) Yummy!

Very excited to announce that #EduDrinks is going live again! This time in Birmingham. DM either me or @deputypaul.bsky.social if you’d like any information.

An afternoon of cooking. Bliss!

Had the most unexpected moment in coaching today. Working with @kateowbridge.bsky.social and suddenly a person wearing a mask appeared in the window behind her. If it wasn’t World Book Day I’d have been worried it was a serial killer movie moment! Gave us both a jolt and a laugh!

Hey everyone. So, I have news. We are relocating to Northumberland and so our house in Whitstable, Kent is up for sale and is chain free. Would be grateful for shares!! We have been very happy here and know someone else will be. Thank you 🙏 www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/1...

I bumped into a colleague I worked with coming up for 20 years ago today. She was my TA and I’ve not seen her for years. Was so lovely to catch up, smile at how old we are and talk about how our lives our now. She was a fabulous colleague and was wonderful to see her again. 🙌

Had another excellent day with the Eveleigh Link Academy Trust in Essex. Morning with SLT teams exploring challenges, opportunities and leadership values and then the afternoon with the HTs working together to problem solve. So grateful to be trusted to facilitate days like this.

What dating apps do people use these days? Asking for my very lovely friend who is a catch!

I disappeared down a rabbit hole of theme tunes from my childhood earlier…Thundercats, Mysterious Cities of Gold, Dogtanian, Chockablock, The Flumps, Pigeon Street…the list goes on. This was my favourite though. I loved this show. What was yours? youtu.be/hHnsMKQJBDA?...

How are you?

Final plea today, and then I will stop pestering everyone!! 😂 14 to go to reach my target for participants! Please share and help if you can #PhDSky #UKEd #UKEdGovs

Definitely got the last night of a holiday blues. Been such a nice week in a great place. Done us loads of good to get away and relax. The hot tub was fab after the dog walks and we love the Aga too!

Used the Aga! Slow cooked lamb shanks with chorizo and chickpeas. Happy with the result

Some of you will recall that the school where I’m Chair of Governors got the Ofsted call on the first day back in January. The report came out today and I’m pleased to say the school got outstanding in all areas. Previously was RI for QoE. The governors got a lovely line too. 😊

When I was a HT we did a beautiful intergenerational project with a charity and local care homes. It was magic. There was a framed photo I wish I’d taken when I left. It’s been thrown away now sadly after asking for it. Amazingly the photos came up on my Timehop so I can get one printed now!

First post on here. Profundity required but lacking. Any tips on growing my network again would be very welcome!

The cottage we’re staying in has an Aga. We’ve never used one! We’re doing a roast dinner and the jeopardy feels real! The warmth it’s given out this afternoon has been glorious but definitely anxious about the cooking! 🤞🤞🤞

So relaxed

Bramble has found her spot

Arrived safely at our cottage for the week. It’s beautiful and in a wonderful location.

Been a very busy week and a lot going on. Excited that have the next week off. Booked a remote cottage with loads of walks from the door and a hot tub to come back to. Can’t wait.

Why does flat pack furniture lie so badly? Instructions said would take 1 hour when in fact it was 2 1/2! I didn’t even make any mistakes and have to take bits apart to redo!

EduDrinks live in London! ❤️❤️❤️

Looking forward to #EduDrinks live meet up in London on Saturday. If you fancy popping along, please do! Will be lots of fun! DM if you’d like more info. @deputypaul.bsky.social

I’ve had 2 brilliant days facilitating new coaches on their journey to becoming accredited coaches. I am exhausted but energised after many rich discussions. They observed me coaching which was exposing but it’s important we’re vulnerable as facilitators too.

Please note change of venue for this month’s live meetup this Saturday 25th. Please come along if you can! @deputypaul.bsky.social

Help needed ! Final push for this to finish off the weekend - English State School Exec. Leaders and Chairs of Governors please spare me 10 mins of your time to complete this anonymous survey! Help me get to my target for participants 🙏

Another day another ball! I didn’t even attempt to retrieve it 😂

Me too!

Made the move to this place and trying to find the old #edutwitter gang. Where are you hiding?

Are you the Executive Leader of a MAT, SAT or maintained school/federation? I especially want to hear from you for my doctoral research into the relationship between the chair and the executive leader. Please spare me 10 mins and follow the link app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/lincoln/a-...