TheWisdomofHeads
@thewisdomofheads.bsky.social
Prompts, advice, wise words, and things to ponder. Nudges and notes for school leaders (and aspiring leaders) to help you see things a little differently. foxly.ink/wisdomofheads
Should Schools be Run For-Profit? I dug into recent evidence from PISA, Chile, Sweden, US charters and UK data, and the picture is more nuanced than the polemics. Profit status is a weak signal; how well schools are run matters more.
foxly.link/XB5szU
foxly.link/XB5szU
Should Schools be Run For-Profit?
Evidence-based look at for-profit schools: does profit improve education, or do quality, governance and context matter more than ownership?
www.linkedin.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Should Schools be Run For-Profit? I dug into recent evidence from PISA, Chile, Sweden, US charters and UK data, and the picture is more nuanced than the polemics. Profit status is a weak signal; how well schools are run matters more.
foxly.link/XB5szU
foxly.link/XB5szU
Teachers like to moan. So do school leaders. And they both like to moan about each other. There’s a lot of moaning.
When you’re working in education—with all its emotional labour, policies, bureaucracy, and challenges—it’s easy to become jaded with a school, perhaps even with all schools.
[1/5]
When you’re working in education—with all its emotional labour, policies, bureaucracy, and challenges—it’s easy to become jaded with a school, perhaps even with all schools.
[1/5]
August 8, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Teachers like to moan. So do school leaders. And they both like to moan about each other. There’s a lot of moaning.
When you’re working in education—with all its emotional labour, policies, bureaucracy, and challenges—it’s easy to become jaded with a school, perhaps even with all schools.
[1/5]
When you’re working in education—with all its emotional labour, policies, bureaucracy, and challenges—it’s easy to become jaded with a school, perhaps even with all schools.
[1/5]
Reposted by TheWisdomofHeads
Most school change fails because leaders don't understand the subjective experience.
You see logic and data. They see extra work when they're already drowning.
The fix? Stop being a gatekeeper, start being cosmopolitan - open to ideas and emotions.
buff.ly/gicZQvR #EducationLeaders
You see logic and data. They see extra work when they're already drowning.
The fix? Stop being a gatekeeper, start being cosmopolitan - open to ideas and emotions.
buff.ly/gicZQvR #EducationLeaders
July 29, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Most school change fails because leaders don't understand the subjective experience.
You see logic and data. They see extra work when they're already drowning.
The fix? Stop being a gatekeeper, start being cosmopolitan - open to ideas and emotions.
buff.ly/gicZQvR #EducationLeaders
You see logic and data. They see extra work when they're already drowning.
The fix? Stop being a gatekeeper, start being cosmopolitan - open to ideas and emotions.
buff.ly/gicZQvR #EducationLeaders
It's the time when many teachers are packing for the BIG MOVE - the move to international school teaching.
If that's you don't forget to grab a copy of 'International Schooling: The Teacher's Guide'. Full of advice and tips from people already living the adventure.
Grab a copy here:
pedagogue.ac
If that's you don't forget to grab a copy of 'International Schooling: The Teacher's Guide'. Full of advice and tips from people already living the adventure.
Grab a copy here:
pedagogue.ac
July 21, 2025 at 9:59 AM
It's the time when many teachers are packing for the BIG MOVE - the move to international school teaching.
If that's you don't forget to grab a copy of 'International Schooling: The Teacher's Guide'. Full of advice and tips from people already living the adventure.
Grab a copy here:
pedagogue.ac
If that's you don't forget to grab a copy of 'International Schooling: The Teacher's Guide'. Full of advice and tips from people already living the adventure.
Grab a copy here:
pedagogue.ac
To be an effective school leader, you have to believe that what you’re doing makes a difference—even while knowing that you might falter, stumble…perhaps even fail.
That’s obvious, of course. We became teachers to make a difference. [1/7]
That’s obvious, of course. We became teachers to make a difference. [1/7]
June 4, 2025 at 5:47 AM
To be an effective school leader, you have to believe that what you’re doing makes a difference—even while knowing that you might falter, stumble…perhaps even fail.
That’s obvious, of course. We became teachers to make a difference. [1/7]
That’s obvious, of course. We became teachers to make a difference. [1/7]
Continuing the theme of wit and wisdom, another quote I can’t claim credit for:
“You don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to.” (Charlie Monger)
[1/6]
“You don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to.” (Charlie Monger)
[1/6]
May 31, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Continuing the theme of wit and wisdom, another quote I can’t claim credit for:
“You don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to.” (Charlie Monger)
[1/6]
“You don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to.” (Charlie Monger)
[1/6]
I can’t claim credit for this one—that honour goes to Jimmy Carr:
“Students use AI to write essays. Teachers use AI to mark them. When those students graduate, AI gets the job.”
[1/5]
“Students use AI to write essays. Teachers use AI to mark them. When those students graduate, AI gets the job.”
[1/5]
May 28, 2025 at 6:07 AM
I can’t claim credit for this one—that honour goes to Jimmy Carr:
“Students use AI to write essays. Teachers use AI to mark them. When those students graduate, AI gets the job.”
[1/5]
“Students use AI to write essays. Teachers use AI to mark them. When those students graduate, AI gets the job.”
[1/5]
A young teacher, aspiring to leadership, messaged me asking for career advice. I replied that "you don't need advice, you need experience/s". You don't need to be told 'what' to do, you need to be told to 'do'. Doing will be all the advice you need.
My full advice here: bit.ly/3Flg8tH
My full advice here: bit.ly/3Flg8tH
May 23, 2025 at 5:04 AM
A young teacher, aspiring to leadership, messaged me asking for career advice. I replied that "you don't need advice, you need experience/s". You don't need to be told 'what' to do, you need to be told to 'do'. Doing will be all the advice you need.
My full advice here: bit.ly/3Flg8tH
My full advice here: bit.ly/3Flg8tH
Don’t ask a barber whether you need a haircut. Don’t ask a car mechanic if a part needs changing. And don’t ask a real estate agent if it’s a good time to buy.
As a leader you want good advice, but you need good advice from the right people. [1/4]
As a leader you want good advice, but you need good advice from the right people. [1/4]
May 21, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Don’t ask a barber whether you need a haircut. Don’t ask a car mechanic if a part needs changing. And don’t ask a real estate agent if it’s a good time to buy.
As a leader you want good advice, but you need good advice from the right people. [1/4]
As a leader you want good advice, but you need good advice from the right people. [1/4]
A second 'long read' this week. For which, apologies, I need to point you to 'X':
bit.ly/3EU5f1W
Preview: A school is essentially two things: people and decisions. 15 tips to help you make better decisions.
------------------------
Follow or sign-up to the newsletter
sendfox.com/lp/3ed08p
bit.ly/3EU5f1W
Preview: A school is essentially two things: people and decisions. 15 tips to help you make better decisions.
------------------------
Follow or sign-up to the newsletter
sendfox.com/lp/3ed08p
May 16, 2025 at 10:48 AM
A second 'long read' this week. For which, apologies, I need to point you to 'X':
bit.ly/3EU5f1W
Preview: A school is essentially two things: people and decisions. 15 tips to help you make better decisions.
------------------------
Follow or sign-up to the newsletter
sendfox.com/lp/3ed08p
bit.ly/3EU5f1W
Preview: A school is essentially two things: people and decisions. 15 tips to help you make better decisions.
------------------------
Follow or sign-up to the newsletter
sendfox.com/lp/3ed08p
A longer post again this time around, so it's up on X; head here: bit.ly/3SyiI2i
Preview: How many meetings do you have each week?Probably "too many!" Meetings should be hard to set-up and easy to get out of. They should be intentional not simply habitual.
Preview: How many meetings do you have each week?Probably "too many!" Meetings should be hard to set-up and easy to get out of. They should be intentional not simply habitual.
May 14, 2025 at 9:07 AM
A longer post again this time around, so it's up on X; head here: bit.ly/3SyiI2i
Preview: How many meetings do you have each week?Probably "too many!" Meetings should be hard to set-up and easy to get out of. They should be intentional not simply habitual.
Preview: How many meetings do you have each week?Probably "too many!" Meetings should be hard to set-up and easy to get out of. They should be intentional not simply habitual.
Teaching isn’t something you learn in books. Or on social media. Or on courses. Not even through PD.
Sure, all of that helps, but you have to do. You learn to teach by teaching. [1/6]
Sure, all of that helps, but you have to do. You learn to teach by teaching. [1/6]
May 7, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Teaching isn’t something you learn in books. Or on social media. Or on courses. Not even through PD.
Sure, all of that helps, but you have to do. You learn to teach by teaching. [1/6]
Sure, all of that helps, but you have to do. You learn to teach by teaching. [1/6]
Just that this time around; one short thought:
"If busyness is your drug, rest will feel like stress"
A useful sentiment to reflect on—a full diary is validating but how would you cope without that validation (and one day, come retirement at the very least) you will have to cope.
"If busyness is your drug, rest will feel like stress"
A useful sentiment to reflect on—a full diary is validating but how would you cope without that validation (and one day, come retirement at the very least) you will have to cope.
April 30, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Just that this time around; one short thought:
"If busyness is your drug, rest will feel like stress"
A useful sentiment to reflect on—a full diary is validating but how would you cope without that validation (and one day, come retirement at the very least) you will have to cope.
"If busyness is your drug, rest will feel like stress"
A useful sentiment to reflect on—a full diary is validating but how would you cope without that validation (and one day, come retirement at the very least) you will have to cope.
If you have your ear to the ground, you probably know what they will say. Indeed, in pursuit of school improvement, it’s likely you’ve already asked your teachers. Chances are, they’ve already told you.
“What could we do better?” [1/8]
“What could we do better?” [1/8]
April 25, 2025 at 3:52 AM
If you have your ear to the ground, you probably know what they will say. Indeed, in pursuit of school improvement, it’s likely you’ve already asked your teachers. Chances are, they’ve already told you.
“What could we do better?” [1/8]
“What could we do better?” [1/8]
I spend a lot of time talking to talented teachers. Often these high-performers have one eye on leadership. They are happy in the classroom but have a future in the boardroom.
The conversations reveal a paradox. [1/6]
The conversations reveal a paradox. [1/6]
April 23, 2025 at 4:40 AM
I spend a lot of time talking to talented teachers. Often these high-performers have one eye on leadership. They are happy in the classroom but have a future in the boardroom.
The conversations reveal a paradox. [1/6]
The conversations reveal a paradox. [1/6]
Reposted by TheWisdomofHeads
Surreal to see it out for pre-order @shaneleaning.com 😲
amzn.eu/d/a6wD7sJ
www.routledge.com/Change-Start...
amzn.eu/d/a6wD7sJ
www.routledge.com/Change-Start...
April 18, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Surreal to see it out for pre-order @shaneleaning.com 😲
amzn.eu/d/a6wD7sJ
www.routledge.com/Change-Start...
amzn.eu/d/a6wD7sJ
www.routledge.com/Change-Start...
Reposted by TheWisdomofHeads
Still feels like a dream.
Surreal to see it out for pre-order @shaneleaning.com 😲
amzn.eu/d/a6wD7sJ
www.routledge.com/Change-Start...
amzn.eu/d/a6wD7sJ
www.routledge.com/Change-Start...
April 19, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Still feels like a dream.
As school leaders, we’re constantly offered advice—from consultants, authors, social media voices, and increasingly, from coaches. Much of it is insightful. Helpful. Supportive. But we also know that plenty of it is just noise.
Being wise means knowing how to tell the difference.
[1/6]
Being wise means knowing how to tell the difference.
[1/6]
April 18, 2025 at 9:36 AM
As school leaders, we’re constantly offered advice—from consultants, authors, social media voices, and increasingly, from coaches. Much of it is insightful. Helpful. Supportive. But we also know that plenty of it is just noise.
Being wise means knowing how to tell the difference.
[1/6]
Being wise means knowing how to tell the difference.
[1/6]
If in doubt, buy it.
As teachers we love to read. We devour books. We gift them. We are gifted them in return. We usually have shelves full of them, at home and in our classrooms.
We can be indecisive though. So many books. So little time. Which to buy? [1/7]
As teachers we love to read. We devour books. We gift them. We are gifted them in return. We usually have shelves full of them, at home and in our classrooms.
We can be indecisive though. So many books. So little time. Which to buy? [1/7]
April 4, 2025 at 5:12 AM
If in doubt, buy it.
As teachers we love to read. We devour books. We gift them. We are gifted them in return. We usually have shelves full of them, at home and in our classrooms.
We can be indecisive though. So many books. So little time. Which to buy? [1/7]
As teachers we love to read. We devour books. We gift them. We are gifted them in return. We usually have shelves full of them, at home and in our classrooms.
We can be indecisive though. So many books. So little time. Which to buy? [1/7]
OK, the advice is probably a little old-fashioned. You are more likely to use your phone. But, the point remains: have something to hand you can easily and quickly make notes in/on. [1/5]
April 2, 2025 at 6:09 AM
OK, the advice is probably a little old-fashioned. You are more likely to use your phone. But, the point remains: have something to hand you can easily and quickly make notes in/on. [1/5]
As a student of successful schools or, rather, what makes schools successful, it took me a while to realise something they all have in common.
And it’s not something you hear much about. [1/10]
And it’s not something you hear much about. [1/10]
March 28, 2025 at 5:20 AM
As a student of successful schools or, rather, what makes schools successful, it took me a while to realise something they all have in common.
And it’s not something you hear much about. [1/10]
And it’s not something you hear much about. [1/10]
How much luck do you have? Not the more nebulous ‘how lucky are you?’ Specifically, how much luck do you have?
In other words: If luck were a currency, how many units of luck do you have saved? [1/8]
In other words: If luck were a currency, how many units of luck do you have saved? [1/8]
March 26, 2025 at 9:14 AM
How much luck do you have? Not the more nebulous ‘how lucky are you?’ Specifically, how much luck do you have?
In other words: If luck were a currency, how many units of luck do you have saved? [1/8]
In other words: If luck were a currency, how many units of luck do you have saved? [1/8]
How big should a team be? The answer:
“No team should be larger than the number of people that can be adequately fed by two large pizzas”. [1/6]
“No team should be larger than the number of people that can be adequately fed by two large pizzas”. [1/6]
March 21, 2025 at 5:48 AM
How big should a team be? The answer:
“No team should be larger than the number of people that can be adequately fed by two large pizzas”. [1/6]
“No team should be larger than the number of people that can be adequately fed by two large pizzas”. [1/6]
A hypothesis is the cornerstone of the scientific method; an educated guess about how the world works.
We know that a hypothesis must be testable to have value, but there is a much stronger requirement that a hypothesis must meet. A hypothesis is scientific only if it can be disproven. [1/5]
We know that a hypothesis must be testable to have value, but there is a much stronger requirement that a hypothesis must meet. A hypothesis is scientific only if it can be disproven. [1/5]
March 19, 2025 at 3:30 AM
A hypothesis is the cornerstone of the scientific method; an educated guess about how the world works.
We know that a hypothesis must be testable to have value, but there is a much stronger requirement that a hypothesis must meet. A hypothesis is scientific only if it can be disproven. [1/5]
We know that a hypothesis must be testable to have value, but there is a much stronger requirement that a hypothesis must meet. A hypothesis is scientific only if it can be disproven. [1/5]
As a school leader, especially as a Head, whatever your exact job title, your role is combination of:
Chief of Getting Stuff Done
Chief Common Sense Officer
Chief of The Stuff No One Else Wants to Do
and Chief Problem Solver.
No wonder Headship is so hard…and so rewarding. [1/2]
Chief of Getting Stuff Done
Chief Common Sense Officer
Chief of The Stuff No One Else Wants to Do
and Chief Problem Solver.
No wonder Headship is so hard…and so rewarding. [1/2]
March 14, 2025 at 5:20 AM
As a school leader, especially as a Head, whatever your exact job title, your role is combination of:
Chief of Getting Stuff Done
Chief Common Sense Officer
Chief of The Stuff No One Else Wants to Do
and Chief Problem Solver.
No wonder Headship is so hard…and so rewarding. [1/2]
Chief of Getting Stuff Done
Chief Common Sense Officer
Chief of The Stuff No One Else Wants to Do
and Chief Problem Solver.
No wonder Headship is so hard…and so rewarding. [1/2]