Log in

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

John Dabell

John trained as a teacher 20 years ago, starting his career in London and then teaching in a range of schools in the Midlands.

In-between teaching jobs, he trained as an OfSTED inspector and worked as a national in-service provider, project manager, writer and editor.

He has written many educational books and children’s books.

Latest blog posts

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...

John Dabell

13 September 2023

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...

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...

John Dabell

11 May 2023

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...

John Dabell

28 March 2023

Healthy conflicts in the workplace

Would you prefer leading a school where everyone agrees or one where there is vigorous but respectful debate? John Dabell discusses the positive outcomes that healthy conflicts can bring. Schools might strive to sing from the same song sheet and encourage staff to align however, you rarely have...

John Dabell

22 February 2023

Is your school safe and happy?

Schools need to be a safe space for staff and students to thrive. John Dabell discusses the positive outcomes of good collaboration, safety and trust . Leaders must safeguard their school population, but discussions are typically geared towards students and their wellbeing. But what about the...

John Dabell

25 January 2023

Swiss cheese leadership

What does it mean to think like Swiss cheese? John Dabell discusses how the Swiss cheese model can be used within schools to help eliminate error and risk. Leaders must be brutally honest with themselves and acknowledge what they know, what they don't know and what they partly know. This involves...

John Dabell

14 December 2022

17 myths about school leadership

You can’t be nice, don’t have enough time and must shout loudest; John Dabell discusses common misconceptions about being a school leader. School leadership has an image problem. There aren't many that want the job and the pipeline is running dry. The image that many of us hold about leadership is...

John Dabell

2 November 2022

Making schools 'ibasho'

Do your pupils feel at home in your school? John Dabell explains why schools should be places of ‘ibasho.’ In Japanese, the word ‘ibasho’ means a place where you can feel like being yourself, a place where you feel a sense of belonging and purpose resulting from the social relationships associated...

John Dabell

5 October 2022

Helping school staff cope with the cost-of-living crisis

What can schools do to help their staff with rising costs? John Dabell offers some suggestions. The cost-of-living crisis is having a significant impact on families with children. Covid-19, the war in Ukraine, Brexit and austerity have all contributed to the cost-of-living. This is also having an...

John Dabell

17 June 2022

Wishing you well: 20 ways to keep being well

The intensity of school life can take its toll unless you have a self-care and wellbeing plan in place. John Dabell shares 20 ways to keep being well. The whacky workloads of a teaching term can really knock your mojo for six if you neglect your wellbeing, which is why it is crucial to keep mind,...

John Dabell

18 May 2022

Don’t do your best!

Sometimes a job only has to be done well enough. John Dabell argues that teaching is one such job and explains why it's better not to give 100% all the time. If you are ‘trying your best’ all the time it’s a one-way ticket to the GP with burn out. Perfection, or chasing perfection, is a huge time-...

John Dabell

19 April 2022

Staff wellbeing and TNTs

Tiny noticeable things, lollipop moments and filling buckets: John Dabell discusses how these things can make you a better leader. Although there isn’t a single definitive leadership skills list, there are four core leaderships skills that are fundamental: communication self-awareness influence...

John Dabell

23 March 2022

The ordinary magic of resilience

What life throws at us might dent or break us – but the '7 Cs' of resilience can help us recover and rebuild. John Dabell explains how. ‘Resilience’ is a buzzword heard pretty much everywhere these days and certainly within the mental health narratives of schools. How do you define resilience?...

John Dabell

10 March 2020

Six styles of leadership

What style of leadership is most effective? According to John Dabell, the more styles a leader has mastered, the better. When teachers get asked what type of leader their head or line manager is, they tend to give an honest opinion! The type of leader they identify though tends to fall into one...

John Dabell

11 February 2020

How to deal with negative teachers

Actively cultivating positive emotions is essential in a school environment. But how do you work with staff who don’t look on the bright side of life? John Dabell discusses. Schools can be stressful places that make Frankensteins of us all and breed negative thinking and toxicity. When left...

John Dabell

17 December 2019

Why discretionary effort is bad for our wellbeing

If you’re someone who always goes the extra mile, you could be doing yourself more harm than good. John Dabell explains why we shouldn’t make it a habit. Teaching requires bags and bags of energy because it is non-stop give, give, give. The job demands being on top of your game and being battle-...

John Dabell

8 October 2019

How can governors help the wellbeing of school leaders?

John Dabell explores how support and challenge from governors can improve headteacher wellbeing and make the life of a leader easier. Headteachers and governors don’t have to get on like a house on fire, but it certainly helps if they have a professional and productive working relationship that is...

John Dabell

4 September 2019

How to protect NQT wellbeing

John Dabell explains how teacher retention can be improved by focusing on the wellbeing of new teachers to help them feel supported, valued and motivated to stay. Newly qualified teachers (NQTs) are the lifeblood of the system. They are vibrant, dynamic and a breath of fresh air to any school. But...

John Dabell

17 July 2019

Maverick teachers wanted

Teaching is made up of all types and that's a good thing. We need diversity and difference. But do we have enough adventurers and mavericks? Just what type of teacher are you? There are some teachers who do things differently and can be trusted to ruffle feathers. These teachers I like. The pupils...

John Dabell

25 June 2019

What's the point in breaktimes?

John Dabell looks at the emotional and physical benefits of breaktimes, and how teachers can supervise pupils without interfering. Most children look forward to playtime – they can’t wait to get outside for a break. It’s their time and they have a fair degree of ownership over it. It’s a part of...

John Dabell

3 June 2019

How to help children who say they are 'stuck'

Teachers are sometimes far too quick to respond to requests for help. How do children benefit from being 'stuck' and how can we encourage them to find a solution independently? When some children encounter a problem, difficulty, or challenge, they stop. Sometimes stopping and pausing for a moment...

John Dabell

2 May 2019

Why we need interprofessional collaboration

Schools could learn so much from external professionals if they collaborated more. John Dabell looks at values we can take from other professions, and why they should be implemented in education. It’s often said that teaching is the profession on which all other professions depend. Perhaps, but how...

John Dabell

10 December 2018

Why we shouldn’t ignore low-level disruptive behaviour

Behaviour management is a daily, hourly commitment. John Dabell explores how to promote positive behaviour and say goodbye to classroom disruption. Serious misbehaviour can unhinge the class, you and the school. But then so can low-level behaviour, especially when it is persistent. Ignore low-level...

John Dabell

29 November 2018

Have you poverty proofed your school?

Prosperity for all? Nowhere near. John Dabell looks at how poverty proofing can be achieved in the classroom. Britain has a deep social mobility problem and there are considerable inequalities in educational attainment which are linked to social disadvantage. The Institute for Fiscal Studies...

John Dabell

31 July 2018

Most able, most appropriate?

What's in a label? For John Dabell, much less than teachers might assume. He explains why it's time to focus on pupils' potential rather than on pigeonholes. We are pretty good at giving ourselves labels. Ask someone who they are, and they will label themselves a teacher, a father, perhaps a...

John Dabell

31 May 2018

Teachers can make their mark with written feedback

Effective feedback lies at the heart of the learning process. John Dabell explains why written feedback should be no exception. Marking has been demonised. It has been hijacked by the marking martyrs who rage against the machine. They hate marking and pour scorn on it at every available opportunity...

John Dabell

26 April 2018

Preparing for SATs: what works?

It's the time of year for preparing Year 6 pupils to be 'SATs-ready'. John Dabell offers suggestions for success. Every Year 6 teacher in England has the unenviable task of preparing pupils for the highlight of the year: the Key Stage 2 SATs! SATs preparation can be emotionally draining, and we don...

John Dabell

22 February 2018

Bringing video-based CPD into focus

Watching how we teach is a great way to revitalise lesson observation and feedback. John Dabell provides some advice for getting started. We have witnessed a significant shift in our perception of lesson observations; from something to be feared to an opportunity to engage in open and productive...

John Dabell

8 February 2018

5 education myths we need to dispel

Grand ideas can carry a lot of gravitas, but these five educational 'cure-alls' came without a pinch of salt. John Dabell explains why they were too good to be true. One of the most depressing things about attending CPD sessions is when the self-appointed gurus or odd-ball suppliers of Inset refer...

John Dabell

10 January 2018

10 resolutions for new teachers

Feeling frazzled after your first term? Begin afresh by resolving to improve your practice without taking on too much. With the first term under your belt, you are probably feeling pretty chuffed with yourself – and rightfully so. You earned your Christmas break and hopefully you’ve spent some...

John Dabell

3 January 2018

Teachers, here are your professional promises for the new year

A new term can mean a new you if you keep to these pledges for self-improvement throughout the year and beyond. That’s another term done and dusted and here we are in a new year already. Where does the time go and when is it half term? When you have been teaching for a few years, it’s easy to slip...

John Dabell

10 August 2017

How to recharge your teaching batteries

Summer is a welcome break for even the most resilient school leader. But when you get your life back, what do you do with it? Did the end of term leave you quanked, forswunk, and ramfeezled? Has your mojo run off and left your body to cope all by itself? Fear not, the summer holidays are here and...

John Dabell

27 July 2017

Why lazy teachers are the best

Working hard or hardly working? John Dabell explains why putting the power in pupils' hands is the best way for teachers to look after their own wellbeing. I'm a lazy teacher – a really lazy teacher. Many of my colleagues are too. We don’t mind admitting it either. In fact, we’re very proud. You...