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

Mel Greenwood

True staff wellbeing

Mel Greenwood challenges the effectiveness of common staff wellbeing activities and advocates for a more personalised approach that includes professional development, flexibility, empathy and active listening. Drawing from personal experiences and conversations with educators, she emphasises the...
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Sarah Hopp

What’s the sense in a sensory room?

People often underestimate the importance of sensory rooms for creating an inclusive environment, as they can serve as crucial spaces for individuals to reset their minds and bodies, helping them deal with feelings of overwhelm and panic. Dr Sarah Hopp explores the value of these spaces as part of...
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Mel Greenwood

A culture of learning and growing – ECT years and beyond

Find out the importance of continuous learning and growth for educators, emphasising their impact on improving the educational experience for students. The earliest years of your teaching career can be the toughest, but for some, these are the years that see the most growth as an educator. After...
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John Dabell

It’s time to get fierce!

Having a ‘fierce conversation’ doesn't necessarily entail conflict or aggression but rather implies engaging in candid, passionate and impactful discussions. School leaders, who often face challenging and passionate conversations, must learn how to navigate these tough discussions effectively. What...
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Joanna Feast

Where do you stand on the back-to-school spectrum? 

Going back to school evokes a spectrum of emotions. Joanna Feast offers some essential tips for a successful academic year ahead. Perhaps you're excited about the prospect of shiny new stationery, a new class or timetable, getting to know different people, new routines and settings. Maybe you're...
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Lisa Griffin

MATs: how can you support your communities?

From integrating services into the community to increasing stakeholder engagement and fundraising, several trusts tell us how they’ve made a real difference to their communities. Schools play an important and pivotal role in the community. Providing a range of services, schools have the opportunity...
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Ella Savell-Boss

Safeguarding after the summer break

Cultivating a safe and supportive school environment has its challenges. Ella Savell-Boss explores practical strategies to address these challenges effectively, providing the best start to the academic year. As the summer break draws to a close, we are eagerly awaiting the return of students in...
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Elizabeth Holmes

Delays in development – supporting young children to thrive

In the wake of pandemic disruptions, child development concerns deepen. Elizabeth Holmes discusses prioritizing comprehensive solutions for a brighter future for all children. Numerous articles over recent years have discussed a seeming decline in the development of young children. In 2022 Amanda...
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Mel Greenwood

Credit to supply teachers everywhere!

Turning up at a school you’ve not been to before, with pupils and staff you don’t know, is no mean feat. Mel Greenwood flies the flag for supply teachers and explains how to look after them. On a short career break and while waiting for my dream job to come along, I decided to apply to start doing...
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Sarah Parker

How education can counter exploitation

Concerns over the impact of social media on children and young people have brought child exploitation to the forefront. Sarah Parker discusses how to foster a safer learning environment through education. Child exploitation education may not be the first thing that springs to mind among the many...
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