Mike W
@m-wo.bsky.social
Deputy Head | sociologist | serial planner and fixer
Ambition is a predictable 1hr per week of self study and 1hr coaching so we focused on making sure we gave enough protected time to meet that and other supportive touches where possible (eg ECT study time p5 so can be done at home). My take is that grass isn't always greener.
June 3, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Ambition is a predictable 1hr per week of self study and 1hr coaching so we focused on making sure we gave enough protected time to meet that and other supportive touches where possible (eg ECT study time p5 so can be done at home). My take is that grass isn't always greener.
Sorry I'm not directly answering but we moved to Ambition from another provider (BPN) as our colleagues really struggled with the unbalanced workload and pinchpoints of that provider and general hassle of using inferior platforms than Steplab....
June 3, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Sorry I'm not directly answering but we moved to Ambition from another provider (BPN) as our colleagues really struggled with the unbalanced workload and pinchpoints of that provider and general hassle of using inferior platforms than Steplab....
+1 for Silo. Having to wait until Friday for the finale is painful!
January 13, 2025 at 9:49 PM
+1 for Silo. Having to wait until Friday for the finale is painful!
This also made me reflect on how much data we share with parents through school apps and how they know so much more about their child's day to day achievement and behaviour. We see lots of positives but it could be fueling parental anxiety about their child's experience of school
January 3, 2025 at 7:06 PM
This also made me reflect on how much data we share with parents through school apps and how they know so much more about their child's day to day achievement and behaviour. We see lots of positives but it could be fueling parental anxiety about their child's experience of school
I wanted to see this too as it's on IDSRs but on reflection would it risk schools considering the impact on league tables before putting a child on the SEN register? It's more controllable than prior attainment/PP etc. Could be problematic.
December 5, 2024 at 10:21 PM
I wanted to see this too as it's on IDSRs but on reflection would it risk schools considering the impact on league tables before putting a child on the SEN register? It's more controllable than prior attainment/PP etc. Could be problematic.
This is a superb resource for A-Level Sociology teachers to use in the Education unit - thank you!
October 28, 2024 at 9:40 AM
This is a superb resource for A-Level Sociology teachers to use in the Education unit - thank you!
Did you feel that was the right decision? I'd be interested to know whether senior leaders invested the time in systems to tackle non-attendance and creating and implementing escalation rules. When it went back to teachers was attendance monitored centrally or left to individual teachers?
September 22, 2024 at 11:19 AM
Did you feel that was the right decision? I'd be interested to know whether senior leaders invested the time in systems to tackle non-attendance and creating and implementing escalation rules. When it went back to teachers was attendance monitored centrally or left to individual teachers?
Thank you, Adam, really timely. Lots of students told us that they are more motivated by regular communication and celebration of achievement points with their parents over big ticket rewards - we're going to make this a focus this year.
August 21, 2024 at 10:05 PM
Thank you, Adam, really timely. Lots of students told us that they are more motivated by regular communication and celebration of achievement points with their parents over big ticket rewards - we're going to make this a focus this year.
I think that's where local context is key. A lot of the discussion around state v private education is dominated by ideology but it can be as simple as choosing between two specific schools in your area and their provision, record and suitability
August 20, 2024 at 8:50 AM
I think that's where local context is key. A lot of the discussion around state v private education is dominated by ideology but it can be as simple as choosing between two specific schools in your area and their provision, record and suitability
I also think we get a first-hand understanding of the impact of recruitment difficulties - if your local private school can demonstrate strong retention and comfortably filling vacancies then that's attractive compared to your child potentially being taught by non-specialists in key subjects
August 20, 2024 at 7:59 AM
I also think we get a first-hand understanding of the impact of recruitment difficulties - if your local private school can demonstrate strong retention and comfortably filling vacancies then that's attractive compared to your child potentially being taught by non-specialists in key subjects
I think the sense of awe and wonder changes from 'wow that's magical' to 'wow, how do they do that?'. Maybe the challenge is maintaining an inquisitive mind when quick fix answers are so readily available. There is a sense of wonder in learning things more slowly and thoroughly
August 20, 2024 at 7:44 AM
I think the sense of awe and wonder changes from 'wow that's magical' to 'wow, how do they do that?'. Maybe the challenge is maintaining an inquisitive mind when quick fix answers are so readily available. There is a sense of wonder in learning things more slowly and thoroughly
Reposted by Mike W
I’m relieved you’ve written that, it’s the same lines as my talk for rED…😂
Basically, good teaching is hard, but get it right and you’re generally inclusive. If you can master it, you will free up time for those who need very specific and targeted support. (With a few idea to cut workload)
Basically, good teaching is hard, but get it right and you’re generally inclusive. If you can master it, you will free up time for those who need very specific and targeted support. (With a few idea to cut workload)
August 19, 2024 at 8:05 AM
I’m relieved you’ve written that, it’s the same lines as my talk for rED…😂
Basically, good teaching is hard, but get it right and you’re generally inclusive. If you can master it, you will free up time for those who need very specific and targeted support. (With a few idea to cut workload)
Basically, good teaching is hard, but get it right and you’re generally inclusive. If you can master it, you will free up time for those who need very specific and targeted support. (With a few idea to cut workload)
I'm sceptical about the transition to online exams but this could be one area where we can speed up the marking/admin process and gets results earlier, at least for A-Levels.
August 19, 2024 at 7:57 AM
I'm sceptical about the transition to online exams but this could be one area where we can speed up the marking/admin process and gets results earlier, at least for A-Levels.
100% this. Support for students is also inconsistent across schools, eg. Careers advisors, remark advice, guidance for parents. All depends on who is in and for how long - it's unfair that this depends on discretionary effort of staff who already give so much. Results in July = full support network.
August 19, 2024 at 7:56 AM
100% this. Support for students is also inconsistent across schools, eg. Careers advisors, remark advice, guidance for parents. All depends on who is in and for how long - it's unfair that this depends on discretionary effort of staff who already give so much. Results in July = full support network.
Looks great, thanks for posting. The photos on their website don't do justice to the size of it. We'll definitely go now
August 15, 2024 at 8:40 PM
Looks great, thanks for posting. The photos on their website don't do justice to the size of it. We'll definitely go now
My 9yr old daughter is her new biggest fan and it feels both weird and wonderful
August 14, 2024 at 7:16 PM
My 9yr old daughter is her new biggest fan and it feels both weird and wonderful
I'll be teaching KS3 Computing as a non specialist for the first time this year. Thanks for sharing these links - I've got lots to learn
August 14, 2024 at 3:18 PM
I'll be teaching KS3 Computing as a non specialist for the first time this year. Thanks for sharing these links - I've got lots to learn
We've had a lot of staff go through new NPQs and I feel this has helped a lot with management development with the explicit focus on implementation - staff are thinking and acting much more on how to sustain rather than just the big bang introduction and developing their managerial skillset
August 14, 2024 at 8:25 AM
We've had a lot of staff go through new NPQs and I feel this has helped a lot with management development with the explicit focus on implementation - staff are thinking and acting much more on how to sustain rather than just the big bang introduction and developing their managerial skillset
Reposted by Mike W
The spark fades over time and culture slips if we don’t have systems to back up your vision for what you want to school to be.
August 12, 2024 at 8:52 AM
The spark fades over time and culture slips if we don’t have systems to back up your vision for what you want to school to be.