The Optimus blog

The blog that inspires leaders in the UK education sector

The Optimus blog

The blog that inspires leaders in the UK education sector

Andrew Hampton

Working with boys

Supporting boys in being dignified and respectful to each other, girls and women can be a difficult topic. Andrew Hampton discusses an innovative raft of strategies which have a track record of success. In the depths of the pandemic, I administered Covid-19 tests to a queue of Year 9 boys. Two boys...
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Elizabeth Holmes

Eight ways to simplicity – small steps towards clarity

Discover the transformative power of simplicity in education. Elizabeth Holmes explores practical steps to declutter and focus on fostering wellbeing and renewed purpose as an educator. I remember sitting in a colleague’s office several years ago waiting for a meeting to start and watching while he...
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Lisa Griffin

How can you make your MAT attractive?

We asked MAT leaders what matters to employees and how they can market themselves as an employer of choice. As an employer, you want to foster an attractive and professional environment where staff feel comfortable, happy, valued, and can work to the best of their ability. When it comes to bringing...
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John Dabell

Let silence do the heavy lifting

A school is a place where we are absorbing a constant stream of information all day long. John Dabell explores the impact of silence during conversation and gives tips on using it to your benefit. Quiet moments and silence are essential for everyone, especially in a school. Zen Master Thich Nhat...
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Kimberley Evans

10 small interactions that make a big difference in the workplace

Improving working conditions and staff wellbeing doesn't always require financial resources. Kimberley Evans gives 10 actions that anyone can take to make a meaningful change. Improving working conditions, staff wellbeing and happiness can often seem daunting, you don’t know where to start and it...
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Rebecca Jennings

Tailoring your RSHE curriculum

The DfE has announced a review of RSHE to be carried out by the end of this year. Rebecca Jennings discusses the concerns raised and how to enhance RSHE delivery. As an RSHE subject matter expert, my recent work with the DfE has been to support staff by creating staff training modules around the...
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Lisa Griffin

MAT Excellence Awards: what are you looking forward to on the night?

Our inaugural MAT Excellence Awards are fast approaching. We spoke to some of our judges who told us the three things they’re most looking forward to at the event. The first Optimus Education MAT Excellence Awards take place on Thursday 29 June in London. The event will give trusts the opportunity...
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Amy Marsh

Why adults need to be taught how to listen

Active listening is a fundamental skill that many adults struggle with. Amy Marsh discusses how genuine listening can transform classroom dynamics and empower students to engage constructively. I have previously written about the importance of identity , self-awareness, and culture . These all...
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John Dabell

Leadership and happy accidents

By celebrating 'happy accidents', we can foster confidence and become better problem-solvers. John Dabell discusses a refreshing and positive view of errors to create a haven for all staff and students. Everyone makes mistakes. We all stuff up and being wrong is an inescapable part of being alive...
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Luke Ramsden

Teaching empathy

In the age of AI, what skills will distinguish humans in work and life as machines take over more tasks? Luke Ramsden explains why empathy is crucial for success and tips for modelling in the classroom. With the dawn of a new era in Artificial Intelligence, it is more critical than ever for schools...
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