Child: You have something on your chin, Mr Urry Me: thank you Child: No - your other chin Child walks away laughing Not often speechless, but quietly proud to be head of a school where humour thrives - even if it is at my expense

Child comes straight into my office Me: I'm on the phone! child: yes - but I have to tell you that another child Calle me a golddigger Me: and?? Child: I've come to tell you that I didn't hit him

Thank you to the lovely people at The Positive Teacher Company who are currently going around schools giving out brownies to staff in schools in August, Cheers!

Leadership isn’t always about consensus. In headship, that can mean tough calls — budget cuts, safeguarding, restructuring — where no decision will please everyone. Article - paulurry68.substack.com/p/when-the-b... Podcast - paulurry68.substack.com/p/when-the-b...

Leadership isn’t always about consensus. In headship, that can mean tough calls — budget cuts, safeguarding, restructuring — where no decision will please everyone. Article - paulurry68.substack.com/p/when-the-b... Podcast - paulurry68.substack.com/p/when-the-b...

#21 The Challenge of Poor-Quality Trainees and What This Means for Schools When trainees arrive unprepared, the whole system feels the strain. We discuss why teacher training standards matter and what must improve. open.substack.com/pub/paulurry...

#20 When They Don’t Know What You Know: Leading Through Criticism with Grace and Perspective Leadership attracts criticism. This episode explores how heads can face it with perspective, respond with grace, and remain rooted in their values. open.substack.com/pub/paulurry...

#19 A response to the Secretary of State's Speech in July 2025 Political speeches promise change. Schools live the reality. We respond directly to the Secretary of State’s July 2025 address. open.substack.com/pub/paulurry...

#18 Elective Home Education: When ‘Choice’ Is Really a Last Resort More families are turning to home education, but often not by choice. We unpack the pressures driving this trend and its impact on schools. open.substack.com/pub/paulurry...

#17 How Do We Restore the Esteem of Teaching? Teaching once carried high respect. This episode asks how we can restore esteem for the profession that shapes our nation’s future. open.substack.com/pub/paulurry...

#16 The Art of Saying No: How Leaders Protect Their Time Leaders are pulled in every direction. We explore how the courage to say no protects time, priorities, and whole-school wellbeing. open.substack.com/pub/paulurry...

#15 The Quiet Power of Kind Leadership Kindness is often overlooked in leadership, but it is one of the most strategic tools a head can use. We show how it transforms schools. open.substack.com/pub/paulurry...

#14 Why every primary headteacher should read this APPG report—and what it means for your school The latest APPG report is essential reading for primary leaders. We break down what it says, why it matters, and what schools can do now. open.substack.com/pub/paulurry...

#13 The Art of the Deputy Deputy heads are not “second best” — they are the beating heart of a school. I explore the art of leading from the middle. open.substack.com/pub/paulurry...

#12 Behind the Numbers: What the Ofsted Annual Report Means for Schools and Heads The Ofsted annual report is full of charts and data — but what does it really mean for schools and leaders on the ground? open.substack.com/pub/paulurry...

#11 Behaviour is a Curriculum Behaviour isn’t only managed — it’s taught. This episode explores why every interaction in school forms part of a child’s learning. open.substack.com/pub/paulurry...

#10 The Headteacher’s Imposter Syndrome: Why It’s More Common Than We Admit Even experienced heads sometimes doubt themselves. We unpack imposter syndrome in leadership and explore how to face it with honesty and support. open.substack.com/pub/paulurry...

#9 When the Feedback Bites Feedback can help us grow, but sometimes it hurts. We explore how to move past the sting and turn tough criticism into growth. open.substack.com/pub/paulurry...

#8 Who Looks After the Head? Trust, Permission, and Chocolate Hobnobs Heads are expected to care for everyone — but who supports them? We explore trust, permission, and the simple things that sustain leaders. open.substack.com/pub/paulurry...

#7 Pressing Pause: Our School’s Real-World Response to the DfE Workload and Wellbeing Guidance When the DfE workload and wellbeing guidance landed, our school didn’t rush. We paused, reflected, and chose what really works for staff and pupils. open.substack.com/pub/paulurry...

#6 Work-Life Blur Decisions, emails, responsibility — when the job never ends, how do headteachers and leaders reclaim boundaries and protect their wellbeing? open.substack.com/pub/paulurry...

#5 Tiny Triumphs Not every victory makes the headlines. We celebrate the small, daily wins in schools that fuel resilience, build confidence, and shape futures. open.substack.com/pub/paulurry...

#4 The Emotional Cost of Headship: Nobody Talks About This Bit Leadership looks polished on the outside, but carries an unseen emotional toll. We open up about the sacrifices, struggles, and what needs to change. open.substack.com/pub/paulurry...

#3 Why Our Teachers Stay Amid the headlines about teacher shortages, why do so many remain and thrive? We uncover the hidden rewards and resilience behind teacher retention. open.substack.com/pub/paulurry...

#2 Building a School That Belongs: Why Community Is Our Greatest Resource Schools thrive on more than curriculum — they thrive on belonging. We explore how strong communities, trust, and shared purpose drive engagement and wellbeing. open.substack.com/pub/paulurry...

#1 Teaching with Purpose Teaching isn’t just a job — it’s a mission. This episode explores how passion, purpose, and precision shape classrooms, reframe daily decisions, and transform children’s lives. open.substack.com/pub/paulurry...