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

Optimus Education

Latest blog posts

Optimus Education

Wellbeing Award for Schools: the impact so far

Over 1,000 schools are taking part in the Optimus Wellbeing Award for Schools, but what impact has this actually had on the wellbeing of pupils, staff and families? In 2016, Optimus commissioned research into a series of new awards, including the Wellbeing Award for Schools (WAS) . We found that...
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Optimus Education

The long and winding road to a very special Ofsted: a view from the chalkface

A secret teacher describes their school’s journey from ‘outstanding’ to ‘special measures’ – and why the last judgement is everything the staff hoped for. Being placed in special measures by Ofsted can conjure up a whole host of emotions: frustration, anger, despair, fear and embarrassment to name...
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Optimus Education

Stress: how do we cope?

The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is stress – one of the most common triggers of poor mental health – and how we’re coping with it. Stress is something most of us contend with on a daily basis and, as the Mental Health Foundation’s Mark Rowland has pointed out , our ‘stress...
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Optimus Education

Award scheme recognises schools building better mental health

From September 2017, a new Wellbeing Award for Schools, presented by the National Children’s Bureau and Optimus Education Ltd, will recognise outstanding work being done to promote mental health and wellbeing within school communities across England. An NCB survey in 2016 showed many school leaders...
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Optimus Education

How do we look after ourselves?

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and the emphasis on the ways we enable ourselves to thrive, not just survive. An incredible number of organisations and public figures have joined the effort 'to uncover why too few of us are thriving with good mental health'. ( Mental Health Foundation )...
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Optimus Education

LinkedIn group competition: and the winner is...

Back in December we launched a competition to celebrate 1000 members in our LinkedIn group . We are proud to announce that Caroline Collins , head of school business strategy and resources at Miles Coverdale Primary School, is the winner of our first prize, one delegate space at any of our upcoming...
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Optimus Education

Prospects acquires Optimus Education

Prospects, the market-leading education, employment and skills company, is to acquire Optimus Education. Prospects, who entered the educational resources, school improvement and awards sector more than 15 years ago takes ownership of Optimus Education from 1 November 2016. Optimus Education was...
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Optimus Education

World Teachers' Day: who was your most inspiring teacher?

Today is World Teachers’ Day! At Optimus HQ we’re celebrating the amazing work you do every day by reminiscing about which teachers inspired us when we were at school. Get involved and tweet us yours at @OptimusEd and follow all the action at #worldteachersday . Evie, SEN & Safeguarding Content...
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