@mshelsj.bsky.social
Ethical School Leader, dog mum, increasingly long of tooth and slightly grumpy. Personal account not representing my workplace. All likes, follows, views and opinions are personal.
Blocked him the second he appeared on here spreading his bile.
November 12, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Blocked him the second he appeared on here spreading his bile.
Disappointing that the SoS is listening to the same old voices inc the B&A hubs - so many hoped for change but that won’t happen unless DFE listen to different voices. Find out from schools who work with these issues rather than the vested interests who don’t - can’t see the impact, so why repeat!
August 31, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Disappointing that the SoS is listening to the same old voices inc the B&A hubs - so many hoped for change but that won’t happen unless DFE listen to different voices. Find out from schools who work with these issues rather than the vested interests who don’t - can’t see the impact, so why repeat!
The loss of vocational education over the 14 years of the Gove/Gibb reforms has destroyed the chances of so many - disengagement, absence, suspensions all rising- a mix of vocational and basics would be a fantastic pathway for so many. Along with similar opportunities for girls.
August 12, 2025 at 3:50 PM
The loss of vocational education over the 14 years of the Gove/Gibb reforms has destroyed the chances of so many - disengagement, absence, suspensions all rising- a mix of vocational and basics would be a fantastic pathway for so many. Along with similar opportunities for girls.
Don’t often agree but spot on here - huge over simplification of issue& ignores the 1000s of ‘white working class’ YP who’s needs are not met by the current system but v successful learning the trades we need for the economy. Also ignores the fact Post 16 has become a privilege they can’t afford
August 11, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Don’t often agree but spot on here - huge over simplification of issue& ignores the 1000s of ‘white working class’ YP who’s needs are not met by the current system but v successful learning the trades we need for the economy. Also ignores the fact Post 16 has become a privilege they can’t afford
Reposted
The reason I ask is about definitions of inclusion. Can a school giving preference to some kinds of families or children ever be considered inclusive? Can a school covertly or openly ‘putting off’ some people who don’t fit the mould ever be termed inclusive? I don’t think so.
July 13, 2025 at 7:55 PM
The reason I ask is about definitions of inclusion. Can a school giving preference to some kinds of families or children ever be considered inclusive? Can a school covertly or openly ‘putting off’ some people who don’t fit the mould ever be termed inclusive? I don’t think so.
Reflects deprived areas of Yorks too -very skilled school leaders - skilled in the impact the reality of austerity &poverty brings. DFE need to listen to other voices not just the same old vested interests who have propped up the current system of judging schools using flawed performance measures.
June 17, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Reflects deprived areas of Yorks too -very skilled school leaders - skilled in the impact the reality of austerity &poverty brings. DFE need to listen to other voices not just the same old vested interests who have propped up the current system of judging schools using flawed performance measures.
All the best people are I hear…
June 11, 2025 at 8:00 AM
All the best people are I hear…
Found four boxes of similar resources from when I moved into my house 22 years ago - getting ready to sell and downsize. Had a laugh at my handwritten planning from being a trainee all those years ago before it could all be downloaded!
April 28, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Found four boxes of similar resources from when I moved into my house 22 years ago - getting ready to sell and downsize. Had a laugh at my handwritten planning from being a trainee all those years ago before it could all be downloaded!
Yep - just recycled a copy just before Easter!
April 28, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Yep - just recycled a copy just before Easter!
They would need to be employed by one school with a contract and JD making it clear they work across a number of schools. Then an SLA for each school who are then invoiced for the time. If schools withdraw from the ‘service’ you could be left carrying the salary. This model is used in trusts also.
April 24, 2025 at 6:47 AM
They would need to be employed by one school with a contract and JD making it clear they work across a number of schools. Then an SLA for each school who are then invoiced for the time. If schools withdraw from the ‘service’ you could be left carrying the salary. This model is used in trusts also.
Admit is if you’ve made a mistake and apologise.
DM if you need support
DM if you need support
January 20, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Admit is if you’ve made a mistake and apologise.
DM if you need support
DM if you need support
Don’t be afraid to decide complaint is ‘vexatious’-a tiny minority will steal time by submitting constant complaints not seeking resolution. Close them down & don’t be afraid to use banning processes for those who are continually abusing - site ban/ written comms only is sometimes the only way
January 20, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Don’t be afraid to decide complaint is ‘vexatious’-a tiny minority will steal time by submitting constant complaints not seeking resolution. Close them down & don’t be afraid to use banning processes for those who are continually abusing - site ban/ written comms only is sometimes the only way
Make sure complaints procedure has clear stages &follow it. Good to have an informal stage 1st as most things can be sorted quickly by asking someone to call parent (not you) Have a clear delegation scheme at St1 to DHT/AHT not to HT til St 2. Keep to it. Gate keep but don’t take it personally.
January 20, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Make sure complaints procedure has clear stages &follow it. Good to have an informal stage 1st as most things can be sorted quickly by asking someone to call parent (not you) Have a clear delegation scheme at St1 to DHT/AHT not to HT til St 2. Keep to it. Gate keep but don’t take it personally.
Perspective - all schools have a hate site - don’t look, have a reliable admin to monitor social media alerting you of anything serious and send strongly worded letters to anyone naming staff in malicious content.1/2
January 20, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Perspective - all schools have a hate site - don’t look, have a reliable admin to monitor social media alerting you of anything serious and send strongly worded letters to anyone naming staff in malicious content.1/2
This is better than my dpd proof of delivery - which made me laugh all morning at work and cheered up everyone who saw it!
December 22, 2024 at 8:56 PM
This is better than my dpd proof of delivery - which made me laugh all morning at work and cheered up everyone who saw it!
Totally agree - already works on smaller scale with MHST and pilots bringing youth workers into schools. Go to the children and families - more efficient, greater impact and more cost effective in the long run.
December 17, 2024 at 10:05 PM
Totally agree - already works on smaller scale with MHST and pilots bringing youth workers into schools. Go to the children and families - more efficient, greater impact and more cost effective in the long run.
Worth remembering the v many talented leaders in challenging schools-battling social issues&skewed performance measures. Issue is more that these schools are not a 1st choice when looking for leadership roles. Tough to work in,a system that doesn’t recognise context & broken accountability processes
December 9, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Worth remembering the v many talented leaders in challenging schools-battling social issues&skewed performance measures. Issue is more that these schools are not a 1st choice when looking for leadership roles. Tough to work in,a system that doesn’t recognise context & broken accountability processes
Yes - brawling with teeth at every opportunity. One has a low tone to his vocals with regular snorting and the other squeals. They’re very close but the teeth thing looks intense
December 2, 2024 at 5:28 PM
Yes - brawling with teeth at every opportunity. One has a low tone to his vocals with regular snorting and the other squeals. They’re very close but the teeth thing looks intense
It is - demanding more frisbee in the sea time because 2 hrs wasn’t enough!
November 24, 2024 at 9:49 PM
It is - demanding more frisbee in the sea time because 2 hrs wasn’t enough!
Your Delia looks like ours-we make Calypso Christmas cake - the fruit is soaked for a week then the cake rests for a month before decorating with nuts. No feeding & So lovely. Perfect with nice salty butter & some cheese - used to send my Cornish FiL into a spin every year when I suggested cheese!
November 24, 2024 at 6:45 PM
Your Delia looks like ours-we make Calypso Christmas cake - the fruit is soaked for a week then the cake rests for a month before decorating with nuts. No feeding & So lovely. Perfect with nice salty butter & some cheese - used to send my Cornish FiL into a spin every year when I suggested cheese!