Headteacher Update
@headteacherupdate.bsky.social
A free magazine and website for UK primary school leaders (and teachers). Weekly ebulletins. A monthly podcast. Regular webinars. Conferences. Lots of best practice articles and case studies as well as news & resources. Posts by @pwhenshaw.bsky.social
Headteacher Update Podcast: A new episode dissects the revised #Ofsted inspection framework, setting out actions #schools can take now to prepare. Advice on the 'secure fit' model, the 'expected standard', the focus on #inclusion & context, the 90-minute call, the nominee role & more buff.ly/EpHd4IF
November 27, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Headteacher Update Podcast: A new episode dissects the revised #Ofsted inspection framework, setting out actions #schools can take now to prepare. Advice on the 'secure fit' model, the 'expected standard', the focus on #inclusion & context, the 90-minute call, the nominee role & more buff.ly/EpHd4IF
On December 9, the Headteacher Update Safeguarding Digest is hosting its next online masterclass with Elizabeth Rose. We will outline key priorities for DSLs at the end of autumn term, offer a #safeguarding checklist for the new year & discuss key updates
December 9: A spring term safeguarding checklist - Headteacher Update
This online masterclass event hosted by Safeguarding Digest will offer advice for DSLs including a new year checklist
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November 27, 2025 at 4:21 PM
On December 9, the Headteacher Update Safeguarding Digest is hosting its next online masterclass with Elizabeth Rose. We will outline key priorities for DSLs at the end of autumn term, offer a #safeguarding checklist for the new year & discuss key updates
Sign up for the free @headteacherupdate.bsky.social bulletin: Every Thursday. Latest #primary #education best practice advice, case studies, #resources, #podcasts, #webinars, free downloads, news analysis & blogs. Practical advice to help your #leadership & your #schools buff.ly/49MQVRT #edusky
November 27, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Sign up for the free @headteacherupdate.bsky.social bulletin: Every Thursday. Latest #primary #education best practice advice, case studies, #resources, #podcasts, #webinars, free downloads, news analysis & blogs. Practical advice to help your #leadership & your #schools buff.ly/49MQVRT #edusky
The new @ofstednews.bsky.social school inspection framework has a golden thread of #inclusion – with a particular focus on four categories of disadvantage. @pkainsworth.bsky.social considers what this means for #schools & their leaders as they prepare for #inspection:
Inclusion and disadvantage: Exploring the golden thread of Ofsted inspection - Headteacher Update
An analysis of Ofsted’s golden thread of inclusion and disadvantage in school inspection & how headteachers can prepare
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November 27, 2025 at 11:01 AM
The new @ofstednews.bsky.social school inspection framework has a golden thread of #inclusion – with a particular focus on four categories of disadvantage. @pkainsworth.bsky.social considers what this means for #schools & their leaders as they prepare for #inspection:
Headteacher Update Bulletin – Out Now!
✅ Boost classroom talk: High-impact ideas for teaching oracy
✅ STPCD: Managing the changes
✅ #Inclusion: Ofsted’s golden thread
✅ Leadership skills: Handling tough conversations
⚠️ NAHT alert: Leadership retention crisis
👉 Read the full update: buff.ly/DV2lREX
✅ Boost classroom talk: High-impact ideas for teaching oracy
✅ STPCD: Managing the changes
✅ #Inclusion: Ofsted’s golden thread
✅ Leadership skills: Handling tough conversations
⚠️ NAHT alert: Leadership retention crisis
👉 Read the full update: buff.ly/DV2lREX
November 27, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Headteacher Update Bulletin – Out Now!
✅ Boost classroom talk: High-impact ideas for teaching oracy
✅ STPCD: Managing the changes
✅ #Inclusion: Ofsted’s golden thread
✅ Leadership skills: Handling tough conversations
⚠️ NAHT alert: Leadership retention crisis
👉 Read the full update: buff.ly/DV2lREX
✅ Boost classroom talk: High-impact ideas for teaching oracy
✅ STPCD: Managing the changes
✅ #Inclusion: Ofsted’s golden thread
✅ Leadership skills: Handling tough conversations
⚠️ NAHT alert: Leadership retention crisis
👉 Read the full update: buff.ly/DV2lREX
How can we develop children’s #oracy skills & what does best practice in primary #schools look like? This 21-page guide dives into all that #teaching oracy entails. With huge thanks to our partners on this project @glassessment.bsky.social. Get your free pdf here:
A best practice guide to teaching oracy skills in the primary school - Headteacher Update
This free 21-page Headteacher Update supplement offers advice and examples for how to teach primary pupils oracy skills
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November 26, 2025 at 8:04 PM
How can we develop children’s #oracy skills & what does best practice in primary #schools look like? This 21-page guide dives into all that #teaching oracy entails. With huge thanks to our partners on this project @glassessment.bsky.social. Get your free pdf here:
From data to context & from taking action to deciding what not to do, @alanshields.bsky.social sets out 5 principles that headteachers must hold to if they are to raise attainment in their #schools: buff.ly/u3IOHoO #education #teaching
Five principles for raising attainment in your primary school - Headteacher Update
This article describes five principles headteachers can adopt to help raise children’s attainment in the primary school
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November 26, 2025 at 5:06 PM
From data to context & from taking action to deciding what not to do, @alanshields.bsky.social sets out 5 principles that headteachers must hold to if they are to raise attainment in their #schools: buff.ly/u3IOHoO #education #teaching
Headteacher Update Podcast: This episode offers advice for #schools on how they can handle parental complaints, including the steps to take, useful de-escalation tips, the reasons behind rising complaints & how to deal with vexatious complaints: buff.ly/l2ZQ4FE #teaching #edusky #education
Headteacher Update Podcast: Dealing with parental complaints - Headteacher Update
A podcast discussion offering practical advice and tips for headteachers on handling school complaints from parents
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November 26, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Headteacher Update Podcast: This episode offers advice for #schools on how they can handle parental complaints, including the steps to take, useful de-escalation tips, the reasons behind rising complaints & how to deal with vexatious complaints: buff.ly/l2ZQ4FE #teaching #edusky #education
With #oracy high on the agenda in #schools, Camilla Spurr offers 3 high-impact oracy strategies for #teaching creative thought & deeper cognition & specific communication skills – with links to useful classroom resources: buff.ly/3hJjkl5 #teachers #education
Practical strategies for teaching oracy in the primary school classroom - Headteacher Update
With oracy high on the agenda for the 2028 curriculum reforms, Camilla Spurr offers three high-impact oracy strategies for teaching creative thought and deeper cognition – with links to useful…
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November 26, 2025 at 3:40 PM
With #oracy high on the agenda in #schools, Camilla Spurr offers 3 high-impact oracy strategies for #teaching creative thought & deeper cognition & specific communication skills – with links to useful classroom resources: buff.ly/3hJjkl5 #teachers #education
Headteacher Update Podcast: A new episode dissects the revised #Ofsted inspection framework, setting out actions #schools can take now to prepare. With practical advice & tips from the amazing @pkainsworth.bsky.social, Anne Peck from @hfleducation.bsky.social & Clare Duffy:
Headteacher Update Podcast: Preparing for the new Ofsted school inspection framework - Headteacher Update
This podcast episode offers advice for primary school leaders on changes to the new Ofsted school inspection framework
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November 26, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Headteacher Update Podcast: A new episode dissects the revised #Ofsted inspection framework, setting out actions #schools can take now to prepare. With practical advice & tips from the amazing @pkainsworth.bsky.social, Anne Peck from @hfleducation.bsky.social & Clare Duffy:
One in three primary school #headteachers quit within five years, @naht.org.uk warns. Rising #workload, pay cuts & #Ofsted pressures fuel leadership crisis in #schools: buff.ly/gdTr6in #Education #SchoolLeadership #TeacherRetention #NAHT #Ofsted #edusky
One in three primary school heads quit within five years amid leadership crisis - Headteacher Update
One in three primary school headteachers appointed in 2019 quit within five years, as NAHT warns of leadership crisis
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November 26, 2025 at 12:54 PM
One in three primary school #headteachers quit within five years, @naht.org.uk warns. Rising #workload, pay cuts & #Ofsted pressures fuel leadership crisis in #schools: buff.ly/gdTr6in #Education #SchoolLeadership #TeacherRetention #NAHT #Ofsted #edusky
On December 9, the Headteacher Update Safeguarding Digest is hosting its next online masterclass with Elizabeth Rose. We will outline key priorities for DSLs at the end of autumn term, offer a #safeguarding checklist for the new year & discuss key updates
December 9: A spring term safeguarding checklist - Headteacher Update
This online masterclass event hosted by Safeguarding Digest will offer advice for DSLs including a new year checklist
buff.ly
November 26, 2025 at 12:42 PM
On December 9, the Headteacher Update Safeguarding Digest is hosting its next online masterclass with Elizabeth Rose. We will outline key priorities for DSLs at the end of autumn term, offer a #safeguarding checklist for the new year & discuss key updates
When we fail to share crucial information, children can suffer serious harm. Hannah Carter – @thehonesteducator.bsky.social – discusses how DSLs can navigate data protection & multi-agency collaboration: buff.ly/D4DuR9A (Get access to this article via our Safeguarding Digest: buff.ly/47SIzqG)
Safeguarding information-sharing: Busting the myths - Headteacher Update
Advice for designated safeguarding leads on effective information-sharing as part of child protection in schools
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November 26, 2025 at 11:42 AM
When we fail to share crucial information, children can suffer serious harm. Hannah Carter – @thehonesteducator.bsky.social – discusses how DSLs can navigate data protection & multi-agency collaboration: buff.ly/D4DuR9A (Get access to this article via our Safeguarding Digest: buff.ly/47SIzqG)
Dialogic #teaching – 10 strategies for primary #schools. The dialogic approaches at Highlands Primary improve the quality of talk, encouraging pupils to think deeply, reason, discuss, argue & explain. Dr Kulvarn Atwal explains: buff.ly/yllHXU7 #teachers #edusky
Dialogic teaching: 10 strategies for primary schools - Headteacher Update
This article from Headteacher Update's oracy education supplement outlines 10 dialogic teaching strategies
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November 26, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Dialogic #teaching – 10 strategies for primary #schools. The dialogic approaches at Highlands Primary improve the quality of talk, encouraging pupils to think deeply, reason, discuss, argue & explain. Dr Kulvarn Atwal explains: buff.ly/yllHXU7 #teachers #edusky
Our Safeguarding Digest platform for school #safeguarding teams offers best practice insights, #CPD including scenarios & key questions for staff, latest news, a forum for sharing knowledge & much more:
Headteacher Update - Safeguarding Digest information
Keep your school up to date, compliant and prepared
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November 26, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Our Safeguarding Digest platform for school #safeguarding teams offers best practice insights, #CPD including scenarios & key questions for staff, latest news, a forum for sharing knowledge & much more:
Get your free 21-page Headteacher Update guide to #teaching #oracy skills, with lots of practical ideas for primary #schools: Defining oracy – Disciplinary oracy – Vocabulary gaps – Assessment – Transition – Disadvantage – SLCN – School case studies:
A best practice guide to teaching oracy skills in the primary school - Headteacher Update
This free 21-page Headteacher Update supplement offers advice and examples for how to teach primary pupils oracy skills
buff.ly
November 26, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Responsive #teaching in the classroom involves paying attention, listening closely & being ready to act to support pupils, especially those with SEND. Emma Saunders offers some practical insights for #teachers: buff.ly/9aVfxB7 #schools #inclusion
What does teaching responsively look like? - Headteacher Update
Responsive teaching in the classroom involves being ready to act to support pupils, especially those with SEND
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November 26, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Responsive #teaching in the classroom involves paying attention, listening closely & being ready to act to support pupils, especially those with SEND. Emma Saunders offers some practical insights for #teachers: buff.ly/9aVfxB7 #schools #inclusion
Continuing his 6-part SecEd series analysing the 6 core evaluation areas of the new #Ofsted school inspection framework, @mattbromley.bsky.social explores attendance & behaviour, helping #schools to sense-check provision & identify areas for focus:
Analysing Ofsted's core evaluation areas for school inspection: Attendance and behaviour - Headteacher Update
Analysis of how Ofsted will inspect attendance and behaviour during school inspection under the new 2025 framework
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November 26, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Continuing his 6-part SecEd series analysing the 6 core evaluation areas of the new #Ofsted school inspection framework, @mattbromley.bsky.social explores attendance & behaviour, helping #schools to sense-check provision & identify areas for focus:
Headteacher Update's Autumn Edition is out now: 48 pages of in-depth, research-based & expert best practice relevant to primary school leadership & teaching, including our latest seven-page Best Practice Focus which focuses on effective subject leadership: buff.ly/sJ3KjWz
November 25, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Headteacher Update's Autumn Edition is out now: 48 pages of in-depth, research-based & expert best practice relevant to primary school leadership & teaching, including our latest seven-page Best Practice Focus which focuses on effective subject leadership: buff.ly/sJ3KjWz
The law protects parents who physically punish their children, but to a point & the line is fine. Sara Alston – @seainclusion.bsky.social – on how DSLs can talk to these parents: buff.ly/ls1r6yZ (Get access to this article via our Safeguarding Digest: buff.ly/47SIzqG)
Conversations with parents about physical chastisement - Headteacher Update
How can school safeguarding teams respond if parents are hitting their children as a form of physical punishment?
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November 25, 2025 at 4:21 PM
The law protects parents who physically punish their children, but to a point & the line is fine. Sara Alston – @seainclusion.bsky.social – on how DSLs can talk to these parents: buff.ly/ls1r6yZ (Get access to this article via our Safeguarding Digest: buff.ly/47SIzqG)
How can we develop children’s #oracy skills & what does best practice in primary #schools look like? This 21-page guide dives into all that #teaching oracy entails. Lots of ideas, examples, lesson advice & case studies. Get your free pdf:
A best practice guide to teaching oracy skills in the primary school - Headteacher Update
This free 21-page Headteacher Update supplement offers advice and examples for how to teach primary pupils oracy skills
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Growing great subject leaders in the primary school: In this 7-page Best Practice Focus, Robbie Burns dissects 4 aspects of effective subject leadership, core tasks every subject leader should engage in, a distributed curriculum leadership model & much more: buff.ly/9AkCHCr #teaching #schools
Best Practice Focus: Growing great subject leaders in your primary school - Headteacher Update
A seven-page best practice guide detailing the role of great subject leaders across the primary school
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November 25, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Growing great subject leaders in the primary school: In this 7-page Best Practice Focus, Robbie Burns dissects 4 aspects of effective subject leadership, core tasks every subject leader should engage in, a distributed curriculum leadership model & much more: buff.ly/9AkCHCr #teaching #schools
The #oracy assemblies at Pinner Wood School place great value on #speaking & #listening skills – and it is the pupils who do the talking. Emily Thomas explains how it all works & how others #schools might adopt the idea: buff.ly/MHY8fqI #teaching #teachers #edusky
Case study: Oracy assemblies in action at Pinner Wood School - Headteacher Update
The use of oracy assemblies at Pinner Wood School help to improve pupils' speaking and discussion skills
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November 25, 2025 at 12:42 PM
The #oracy assemblies at Pinner Wood School place great value on #speaking & #listening skills – and it is the pupils who do the talking. Emily Thomas explains how it all works & how others #schools might adopt the idea: buff.ly/MHY8fqI #teaching #teachers #edusky
With 1 in 5 pupils in England’s #schools speaking English as an additional language #EAL, ensuring inclusive practice is vital, especially in light of Ofsted’s new inspection framework. Sarah Moodie outlines 4 steps for reviewing your EAL provision: buff.ly/5m6o92y #edusky #education
Evaluating your primary school’s EAL provision: Four steps - Headteacher Update
Advice from The Bell Foundation to help schools evaluate provision for students using English as an additional language
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November 25, 2025 at 11:42 AM
With 1 in 5 pupils in England’s #schools speaking English as an additional language #EAL, ensuring inclusive practice is vital, especially in light of Ofsted’s new inspection framework. Sarah Moodie outlines 4 steps for reviewing your EAL provision: buff.ly/5m6o92y #edusky #education
There have been many changes to the School Teachers’ Pay & Conditions Document (STPCD) in recent years. @ascl-uk.bsky.social specialist @louisehatswell.bsky.social highlights some of the most important & advises #schools on how they can navigate these: buff.ly/GGDftc1
Managing changes to the School Teachers’ Pay & Conditions Document - Headteacher Update
Advice from ASCL for schools on managing updates to the September 2025 DfE School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document
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November 25, 2025 at 11:36 AM
There have been many changes to the School Teachers’ Pay & Conditions Document (STPCD) in recent years. @ascl-uk.bsky.social specialist @louisehatswell.bsky.social highlights some of the most important & advises #schools on how they can navigate these: buff.ly/GGDftc1