How many are on the SLT at your school? We are 11-18 Local Authority with 1214 students. Me DHT 3 x AHT SENCO Head of Sixth Form It seems in line with the schools where I have worked previously but may be different around the country? Think I would struggle for capacity if we cut any.

Loving the sky this evening.

The Francis Curriculum and Assessment Review has been published and... ❎ Ebacc is out ✅ Triple science for all is in ✅ Oracy framework is in 🤷‍♀️ Some confusion over two versions of Y8 reading test... The 14 key points you need to know are below ⬇️ www.tes.com/magazine/new...

This afternoon is sorted. 🏉

Happy new month. It’s a glorious autumn day out there. I love watching the leaves change colour.

Lost Boys o’clock, I think.

A very personal post. Today was the first day I have been out of the house “for fun” in weeks. I fell over weeks ago and have damaged my knee badly. Today I was taken out in a wheelchair. It gave me such a different view of the world and complete empathy and understanding of a very different life.

I have my highlighter pens and the Ofsted framework. Wish me luck.

What a start to the morning. I was woken up to a gorgeous sunrise and then took a really tricky call. Looking for the beauty in life today.

I had my first Christmas sandwich today and it made me happy.

New School Leader Resource: Ofsted Telephone Call Questions https://headteacher-chat.link/ofsted-prep

Exclusive: Ofsted's demand that schools provide graded self-evaluations will add to the stress staff face around inspection, heads' leaders warn

Thrilled to say I'm a judge for the first ever Inspiring History Teaching Awards, in association with Historic Royal Palaces. Do you know a great history teacher in the UK who deserves to go down in history? Nominate them here bit.ly/42yhGZP

Great to have received such a positive response so far to my research. Now also open to headteachers who’ve left the role in the past year. Just 1hr interview, online/in person. Feel free to get in touch if interested, more details below. #PhDResearch #Headteachers #Education #SocialJustice #Health

All the Heads I know are on their knees, seeing children presenting with more complex needs than ever before, extreme behaviour and limited funding. The majority of this is in EYFS and Year 1. So instead of announcing something to help this, we'll raise a target to add pressure.

The government will set a new national 'ambition' for 90 per cent of pupils to reach the expected standard in phonics, Bridget Phillipson will reveal today schoolsweek.co.uk/national-amb...

No Apple Watch, I am not being defeatist when I say I can’t do it despite you telling me I can mange my exercise goal. A fractured kneecap is getting in the way of a long walk.

Autumn sky.

Excellent @tesmagazine.bsky.social article by @claireheald.bsky.social: ‘Beyond phonics: why England still has a reading problem’ “It’s time to stop thinking of reading as something we sort out in Year 1 and Year 2, or even just in primary.” www.tes.com/magazine/tea...

Happy Bookshop Day! There are over 200 independent children's bookshops on my map so do pay your local one a visit. It's regularly updated but please let me know of any more I could add. padlet.com/Jon_Biddle/r...

Are you a maths teacher or leader in an English school? 📐 We're running a short survey on how maths is taught, planned and adapted — and we’d love your insight. 🎁 Chance to win a £50 Amazon voucher! 🔗 forms.office.com/e/Y... Please share with anyone in your network who fits the bill!

Governors meeting on a Monday night. It’s going to be a long week!

Have a happy Monday.

Happy World Teachers' Day. I love this story, often we focus on the differences we couldn't make. #WorldTeachersDay☺️

I had ‘a fall’ a fortnight ago. I have realised how frustrating it is when you aren’t mobile and I have also found out that although I can make a hot drink, I can’t carry it. 🤦‍♀️

Connections Puzzle #846 🟪🟪🟪🟪 🟨🟨🟨🟨 🟦🟦🟦🟦 🟩🟩🟩🟩 Can’t sleep.

Currently binge watching Grey’s Anatomy and I wonder why past me didn’t watch it.

How do we change these figures?

Ofsted Updates The Sept 2025 Ofsted Inspection Handbook is here. New framework changes, sharper focus on attendance & pupil premium, and updated pre-inspection planning. 📺 Training videos now live on Ofsted News YouTube. 🔗 Learn more: www.youtube.com/@Ofstednews

Situational Mutism is an anxiety-based difficulty where a child can't speak in certain settings. Be patient - never force speech. Praise all communication. Start with small steps. Partner with parents. Create a safe, low-pressure environment. #SituationalMutism #SEND #Anxiety #Edpsychs

Welcome to #NewToSLTChat! Hoping your weekend is/has been lovely and restful. We’re talking about Ofsted this evening. Question 1 below ⬇️

Here’s question 2! See below for a link to the new Ofsted info in a great summary from @SchoolsWeek

Writing my SEF. This means every single tab is open and my to do list is growing by the second.

Scoop: Mandatory reading test for year 8s (age 13) incoming in the schools white paper, due out this autumn DfE and Ofsted will have access to school results, but data will only be reported nationally and we understand it won't prompt intervention/early inspection

“What’s the best thing you’ve learned about storms?” Asked the boy. “That they end.” Said the horse Drawn on a wall in a coffee shop in Walberswick by @charliemackesy

My lovely friend @f33lthesun.bsky.social goes for daily beach walks for me. I love these so much.

Absolute glut of green tomatoes. Is chutney the only thing I can make? 🍅

@f33lthesun.bsky.social and I were predicting the amount of sewage discharge after the recent rain. 💩

"One of the descriptors says in order to be at the ‘expected standard’, results need to be broadly in line with national average... what does ‘broadly in line’ mean and over what period of time?" A very important point from James Bowen Exclusive 👇 www.tes.com/magazine/new...

What a long week.

Anyone got any energy they could lend me? What a week… what’s next?

🎥 Coming up soon in the HeadteacherChat Community: 15 Sept: Leading Without Burnout 15 Sept: From Chaos to Clarity (JoinUp reporting) 18 Sept: Ofsted Updates (extra session) 22 Sept: Pupil Wellbeing 29 Sept: The Writing Framework more dates through October!

I am assuming this is the “Big Listen” data.

A random reminder that nothing is more important than your health. Protect it all costs. Assert your boundaries unabashedly. Remove yourself from any situation in which it’s not respected. #edusky

Interesting

Ofsted has unveiled its new report cards with renamed grades and fewer inspection areas, saying inspections will now provide 'absolute clarity' for schools and parents - but the changes have not allayed unions' concerns schoolsweek.co.uk/fewer-judgem...

It’s only Monday. How can it still only be Monday? 🤯

Had just decided to cook a roast dinner when I saw this. It’s a sign.

Happy #NationalReadaBookDay Fun Factlets; Today’s about purposefully & successfully exercising your 🧠, emotions, imagination & heart rate & actively loosing yourself in a 📖. 📑 Studies have shown that reading ⬇️ stress, ⬆️ concentration, ⬆️ memory & ⬆️ empathy. 📚 What have you currently got on the go?