View by

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

Community

John Dabell
30 October 2023

Leadership with a little 'l'

John Dabell explores the concept of leadership with a little 'l'. He emphasises the importance of soft skills such as character, charisma, compassion and humility to achieve effective leadership. Headteachers have to mix little and large styles and blend courageous leadership and thought leadership...
Read more...
Gareth D Morewood
17 October 2023

Securing parental collaboration for pupils with SEND

Gareth Morewood emphasises the enduring importance of true co-production and collaboration with families to improve outcomes for pupils with SEND. He explores how to actively engage families and young people, working in concert to identify challenges to secure better outcomes. When it comes to SEND...
Read more...
Lisa Griffin
15 August 2023

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...
Read more...
Mel Greenwood
31 July 2023

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...
Read more...
Lisa Griffin
19 July 2023

Five ways to make your MAT more sustainable

Looking for ways to go greener in your multi-academy trust? Use these ideas to inspire you to creating a more sustainable and environmentally friendly trust. More and more schools are adopting environmental sustainability as a core value and raising awareness of it among staff, pupils, and parents...
Read more...
Carole Green
28 June 2023

Three impactful steps schools can take to embed EDI into their settings

Ensuring we are engaging in equality, diversity and inclusion in an impactful way is crucial to the wellbeing of the whole school community. Carole Green shares three steps to take to reach this goal. Settings that struggle to embed EDI are more likely to have environments in which discrimination...
Read more...
John Dabell
12 June 2023

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...
Read more...
Amy Marsh
17 May 2023

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...
Read more...
Aldaine Wynter
26 January 2022

Raising the voice of LGBTQ+ youth

LGBTQ+ History Month is an ideal time to start an LGBTQ+ student voice group. Aldaine Wynter explains some first steps. Every February is LGBTQ+ History Month and this year’s theme, 'The Arc is Long', is inspired by Martin Luther King’s quote: ‘The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends...
Read more...
Justin Robbins ...
19 January 2022

Build the perfect partnership with parents

The case for parental engagement has never been as clear as it is right now. Justin Robbins and Karen Dempster provide some practical tips for effective communication with parents. Students are reportedly three months behind in their learning because of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to data...
Read more...
Privacy statement Terms & Conditions