A Headteacher's Perspective
@aheadssperspective.bsky.social
Reflections on 20 years of being a primary school headteacher in 5 schools,3 LAs, Academy, Catholic, Anglican and LA
https://paulurry68.substack.com
https://paulurry68.substack.com
I’ve been thinking a lot about leadership cohesion recently.
Not the kind that looks neat on an organogram — the kind that feels safe in a room.
This clip is a short reflection on building that safety deliberately.
The full piece is here
paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-art-of...
Not the kind that looks neat on an organogram — the kind that feels safe in a room.
This clip is a short reflection on building that safety deliberately.
The full piece is here
paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-art-of...
The Art of the Deputy Module 2 Unit 1
Building a Cohesive Senior and Middle Leadership Team
paulurry68.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:48 PM
I’ve been thinking a lot about leadership cohesion recently.
Not the kind that looks neat on an organogram — the kind that feels safe in a room.
This clip is a short reflection on building that safety deliberately.
The full piece is here
paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-art-of...
Not the kind that looks neat on an organogram — the kind that feels safe in a room.
This clip is a short reflection on building that safety deliberately.
The full piece is here
paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-art-of...
Pupils don’t learn what we say.
They learn what they think about.
If learning looks secure in the lesson but disappears a week later, this unit digs into why.
Memory. Attention. Schema.
Clip below. Full article here paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-excell...
They learn what they think about.
If learning looks secure in the lesson but disappears a week later, this unit digs into why.
Memory. Attention. Schema.
Clip below. Full article here paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-excell...
February 10, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Pupils don’t learn what we say.
They learn what they think about.
If learning looks secure in the lesson but disappears a week later, this unit digs into why.
Memory. Attention. Schema.
Clip below. Full article here paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-excell...
They learn what they think about.
If learning looks secure in the lesson but disappears a week later, this unit digs into why.
Memory. Attention. Schema.
Clip below. Full article here paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-excell...
One of the most underestimated aspects of deputy headship is personal credibility.
Module 1, Unit 5 of The Art of the Deputy explores how trust is built quietly — through presence, consistency, and how leaders show up under pressure.
🔗 paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-art-of...
Module 1, Unit 5 of The Art of the Deputy explores how trust is built quietly — through presence, consistency, and how leaders show up under pressure.
🔗 paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-art-of...
The Art of the Deputy Module 1 Unit 5
This article is available as podcast here
paulurry68.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:17 PM
One of the most underestimated aspects of deputy headship is personal credibility.
Module 1, Unit 5 of The Art of the Deputy explores how trust is built quietly — through presence, consistency, and how leaders show up under pressure.
🔗 paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-art-of...
Module 1, Unit 5 of The Art of the Deputy explores how trust is built quietly — through presence, consistency, and how leaders show up under pressure.
🔗 paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-art-of...
Leadership gets harder when you realise nothing happens in isolation.
This unit explores what it means to see the whole school as a system — and lead more thoughtfully because of it.
Read here:
paulurry68.substack.com/p/stepping-i...
This unit explores what it means to see the whole school as a system — and lead more thoughtfully because of it.
Read here:
paulurry68.substack.com/p/stepping-i...
Stepping into Leadership Module 1 Unit 5
Seeing the Bigger Picture: How Schools Function as Systemsg Goals for Your Professional Growth
paulurry68.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Leadership gets harder when you realise nothing happens in isolation.
This unit explores what it means to see the whole school as a system — and lead more thoughtfully because of it.
Read here:
paulurry68.substack.com/p/stepping-i...
This unit explores what it means to see the whole school as a system — and lead more thoughtfully because of it.
Read here:
paulurry68.substack.com/p/stepping-i...
I’ve written a short reflection about creating space for better leadership — space to pause, think clearly, and respond rather than react.
Nothing clever. Just honest.
If you’re in school leadership, you might recognise it.
paulurry68.substack.com/p/making-spa...
Nothing clever. Just honest.
If you’re in school leadership, you might recognise it.
paulurry68.substack.com/p/making-spa...
January 30, 2026 at 9:09 PM
I’ve written a short reflection about creating space for better leadership — space to pause, think clearly, and respond rather than react.
Nothing clever. Just honest.
If you’re in school leadership, you might recognise it.
paulurry68.substack.com/p/making-spa...
Nothing clever. Just honest.
If you’re in school leadership, you might recognise it.
paulurry68.substack.com/p/making-spa...
Some weeks, leadership isn’t about plans or data.
It’s about belief—in people, in the work, and in why you started.
This piece explores how vision, faith (not just religious), and service actually keep leaders standing when things get tough.
Full read here:
paulurry68.substack.com/p/becoming-a...
It’s about belief—in people, in the work, and in why you started.
This piece explores how vision, faith (not just religious), and service actually keep leaders standing when things get tough.
Full read here:
paulurry68.substack.com/p/becoming-a...
January 30, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Some weeks, leadership isn’t about plans or data.
It’s about belief—in people, in the work, and in why you started.
This piece explores how vision, faith (not just religious), and service actually keep leaders standing when things get tough.
Full read here:
paulurry68.substack.com/p/becoming-a...
It’s about belief—in people, in the work, and in why you started.
This piece explores how vision, faith (not just religious), and service actually keep leaders standing when things get tough.
Full read here:
paulurry68.substack.com/p/becoming-a...
Vision isn’t the statement on the wall.
It’s how people behave when things get busy or uncomfortable.
This unit explores how leaders (at every level) shape culture through the small, daily choices they make — often without realising it.
Here’s the piece:
paulurry68.substack.com/p/stepping-i...
It’s how people behave when things get busy or uncomfortable.
This unit explores how leaders (at every level) shape culture through the small, daily choices they make — often without realising it.
Here’s the piece:
paulurry68.substack.com/p/stepping-i...
Stepping into Leadership Module 1 Unit 4
Understanding the School’s Vision, Values, and Culture
paulurry68.substack.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Vision isn’t the statement on the wall.
It’s how people behave when things get busy or uncomfortable.
This unit explores how leaders (at every level) shape culture through the small, daily choices they make — often without realising it.
Here’s the piece:
paulurry68.substack.com/p/stepping-i...
It’s how people behave when things get busy or uncomfortable.
This unit explores how leaders (at every level) shape culture through the small, daily choices they make — often without realising it.
Here’s the piece:
paulurry68.substack.com/p/stepping-i...
New article in my series The Psychological Work of Headship.
This one focuses on the headteacher as an emotional container — holding staff, pupils, parents, and systems without absorbing everything.
Part 4 here:
paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-psycho...
This one focuses on the headteacher as an emotional container — holding staff, pupils, parents, and systems without absorbing everything.
Part 4 here:
paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-psycho...
The Psychology of Headship #4 The Headteacher as Emotional Container
Holding staff, pupils, parents, and systems without absorbing everything
paulurry68.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:11 PM
New article in my series The Psychological Work of Headship.
This one focuses on the headteacher as an emotional container — holding staff, pupils, parents, and systems without absorbing everything.
Part 4 here:
paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-psycho...
This one focuses on the headteacher as an emotional container — holding staff, pupils, parents, and systems without absorbing everything.
Part 4 here:
paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-psycho...
I’ve only just spotted this change to PPG on the DfE website from June 2025
There’s been a quiet change to FSM / Pupil Premium eligibility for families with no recourse to public funds. Easy to miss, but significant for schools and children.
paulurry68.substack.com/p/dfe-decode...
There’s been a quiet change to FSM / Pupil Premium eligibility for families with no recourse to public funds. Easy to miss, but significant for schools and children.
paulurry68.substack.com/p/dfe-decode...
DfE Decoded #66 Free School Meals and No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)
A quiet but important update school leaders should be aware of
paulurry68.substack.com
January 25, 2026 at 8:59 AM
I’ve only just spotted this change to PPG on the DfE website from June 2025
There’s been a quiet change to FSM / Pupil Premium eligibility for families with no recourse to public funds. Easy to miss, but significant for schools and children.
paulurry68.substack.com/p/dfe-decode...
There’s been a quiet change to FSM / Pupil Premium eligibility for families with no recourse to public funds. Easy to miss, but significant for schools and children.
paulurry68.substack.com/p/dfe-decode...
Norway doesn’t ask how children with SEND can fit into schools.
It asks how schools should be designed so everyone belongs from the start.
This piece explores inclusion as architecture.
Global Insights #17
Norway: Inclusion, SEND, and Belonging by Design
🔗 paulurry68.substack.com/p/global-ins...
It asks how schools should be designed so everyone belongs from the start.
This piece explores inclusion as architecture.
Global Insights #17
Norway: Inclusion, SEND, and Belonging by Design
🔗 paulurry68.substack.com/p/global-ins...
Global Insights #17 Norway – Inclusion, SEND, and Belonging by Design
When Inclusion Is Not an Add-On, but the Architecture
paulurry68.substack.com
January 24, 2026 at 8:58 AM
Norway doesn’t ask how children with SEND can fit into schools.
It asks how schools should be designed so everyone belongs from the start.
This piece explores inclusion as architecture.
Global Insights #17
Norway: Inclusion, SEND, and Belonging by Design
🔗 paulurry68.substack.com/p/global-ins...
It asks how schools should be designed so everyone belongs from the start.
This piece explores inclusion as architecture.
Global Insights #17
Norway: Inclusion, SEND, and Belonging by Design
🔗 paulurry68.substack.com/p/global-ins...
Leadership feels different when values and culture pull in the same direction.
This clip explores alignment — not as comfort, but as integrity.
The longer piece reflects on why misalignment drains energy.
full article:
paulurry68.substack.com/p/becoming-a...
This clip explores alignment — not as comfort, but as integrity.
The longer piece reflects on why misalignment drains energy.
full article:
paulurry68.substack.com/p/becoming-a...
January 23, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Leadership feels different when values and culture pull in the same direction.
This clip explores alignment — not as comfort, but as integrity.
The longer piece reflects on why misalignment drains energy.
full article:
paulurry68.substack.com/p/becoming-a...
This clip explores alignment — not as comfort, but as integrity.
The longer piece reflects on why misalignment drains energy.
full article:
paulurry68.substack.com/p/becoming-a...
Leadership isn’t a performance.
This clip explores why self-awareness matters more than style, confidence, or authority when stepping into leadership.
Clip + full article here:
paulurry68.substack.com/p/stepping-i...
Leadership grows when identity is understood.
This clip explores why self-awareness matters more than style, confidence, or authority when stepping into leadership.
Clip + full article here:
paulurry68.substack.com/p/stepping-i...
Leadership grows when identity is understood.
Stepping into Leadership Module 1 Unit 3
Exploring Your Leadership Identity and Style
paulurry68.substack.com
January 21, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Leadership isn’t a performance.
This clip explores why self-awareness matters more than style, confidence, or authority when stepping into leadership.
Clip + full article here:
paulurry68.substack.com/p/stepping-i...
Leadership grows when identity is understood.
This clip explores why self-awareness matters more than style, confidence, or authority when stepping into leadership.
Clip + full article here:
paulurry68.substack.com/p/stepping-i...
Leadership grows when identity is understood.
Reposted by A Headteacher's Perspective
I used to go to find useful stuff or systems for school, now I go to look at and compare ideas.
This year I'm on the hunt for data visualisation ideas and budget friendly science ideas/kit.
This year I'm on the hunt for data visualisation ideas and budget friendly science ideas/kit.
January 19, 2026 at 9:21 PM
I used to go to find useful stuff or systems for school, now I go to look at and compare ideas.
This year I'm on the hunt for data visualisation ideas and budget friendly science ideas/kit.
This year I'm on the hunt for data visualisation ideas and budget friendly science ideas/kit.
Schools don’t just respond to what leaders decide.
They respond to how leaders carry emotion
This latest article in my psychology of headship series looks at emotional regulation as a core leadership skill—and why calm matters more than charisma in headship
paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-psycho...
They respond to how leaders carry emotion
This latest article in my psychology of headship series looks at emotional regulation as a core leadership skill—and why calm matters more than charisma in headship
paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-psycho...
paulurry68.substack.com
January 19, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Schools don’t just respond to what leaders decide.
They respond to how leaders carry emotion
This latest article in my psychology of headship series looks at emotional regulation as a core leadership skill—and why calm matters more than charisma in headship
paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-psycho...
They respond to how leaders carry emotion
This latest article in my psychology of headship series looks at emotional regulation as a core leadership skill—and why calm matters more than charisma in headship
paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-psycho...
Heading to the BETT Show this Wednesday with a simple intention:
to discover what I don’t yet know that I don’t know.
If you’ve seen something genuinely useful or future-facing at BETT, I’d love your recommendations.
#BETT #EdTech #Education #SchoolLeaders #ProfessionalLearning
to discover what I don’t yet know that I don’t know.
If you’ve seen something genuinely useful or future-facing at BETT, I’d love your recommendations.
#BETT #EdTech #Education #SchoolLeaders #ProfessionalLearning
January 18, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Heading to the BETT Show this Wednesday with a simple intention:
to discover what I don’t yet know that I don’t know.
If you’ve seen something genuinely useful or future-facing at BETT, I’d love your recommendations.
#BETT #EdTech #Education #SchoolLeaders #ProfessionalLearning
to discover what I don’t yet know that I don’t know.
If you’ve seen something genuinely useful or future-facing at BETT, I’d love your recommendations.
#BETT #EdTech #Education #SchoolLeaders #ProfessionalLearning
This week’s DfE Decoded covered four different areas of policy — reading, attainment, elective home education and children missing education.
Together, they point to the same leadership challenge: visibility, belonging and early support matter more than ever.
paulurry68.substack.com/s/dfe-decoded
Together, they point to the same leadership challenge: visibility, belonging and early support matter more than ever.
paulurry68.substack.com/s/dfe-decoded
January 18, 2026 at 8:26 AM
This week’s DfE Decoded covered four different areas of policy — reading, attainment, elective home education and children missing education.
Together, they point to the same leadership challenge: visibility, belonging and early support matter more than ever.
paulurry68.substack.com/s/dfe-decoded
Together, they point to the same leadership challenge: visibility, belonging and early support matter more than ever.
paulurry68.substack.com/s/dfe-decoded
Australia’s education system offers a familiar lesson for England:teacher wellbeing doesn’t fail because people care too little
My latest global education insights piece explores workload, professional agency,and why wellbeing must be designed, not delegated
paulurry68.substack.com/p/global-ins...
My latest global education insights piece explores workload, professional agency,and why wellbeing must be designed, not delegated
paulurry68.substack.com/p/global-ins...
Global Insights #16 Australia – Teacher Workload, Wellbeing, and System Coherence
When Good Intentions Become Heavy Systems
paulurry68.substack.com
January 17, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Australia’s education system offers a familiar lesson for England:teacher wellbeing doesn’t fail because people care too little
My latest global education insights piece explores workload, professional agency,and why wellbeing must be designed, not delegated
paulurry68.substack.com/p/global-ins...
My latest global education insights piece explores workload, professional agency,and why wellbeing must be designed, not delegated
paulurry68.substack.com/p/global-ins...
Moral leadership isn’t about statements or slogans.
It’s about what leaders do when decisions are difficult, pressured, or unpopular.
Unit 2 explores leadership as a moral responsibility — lived daily through judgement, integrity, and courage.
It’s about what leaders do when decisions are difficult, pressured, or unpopular.
Unit 2 explores leadership as a moral responsibility — lived daily through judgement, integrity, and courage.
January 16, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Moral leadership isn’t about statements or slogans.
It’s about what leaders do when decisions are difficult, pressured, or unpopular.
Unit 2 explores leadership as a moral responsibility — lived daily through judgement, integrity, and courage.
It’s about what leaders do when decisions are difficult, pressured, or unpopular.
Unit 2 explores leadership as a moral responsibility — lived daily through judgement, integrity, and courage.
New leadership unit for deputy heads.
This resource explores the head–deputy relationship as a professional partnership,built on trust,discretion,honest challenge, and alignment rather than agreement.
Available as a full learning package:
• Video
• Podcast
• Written article
• Accompanying workbook
This resource explores the head–deputy relationship as a professional partnership,built on trust,discretion,honest challenge, and alignment rather than agreement.
Available as a full learning package:
• Video
• Podcast
• Written article
• Accompanying workbook
January 15, 2026 at 4:16 PM
New leadership unit for deputy heads.
This resource explores the head–deputy relationship as a professional partnership,built on trust,discretion,honest challenge, and alignment rather than agreement.
Available as a full learning package:
• Video
• Podcast
• Written article
• Accompanying workbook
This resource explores the head–deputy relationship as a professional partnership,built on trust,discretion,honest challenge, and alignment rather than agreement.
Available as a full learning package:
• Video
• Podcast
• Written article
• Accompanying workbook
Teaching is one of the professions that is both moral and intellectual
Module 1, Unit 2 explores how excellent teachers protect dignity while designing learning with precision, balancing care and challenge, compassion and clarity, every day in the classroom
paulurry68.substack.com/p/excellent-...
Module 1, Unit 2 explores how excellent teachers protect dignity while designing learning with precision, balancing care and challenge, compassion and clarity, every day in the classroom
paulurry68.substack.com/p/excellent-...
January 13, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Teaching is one of the professions that is both moral and intellectual
Module 1, Unit 2 explores how excellent teachers protect dignity while designing learning with precision, balancing care and challenge, compassion and clarity, every day in the classroom
paulurry68.substack.com/p/excellent-...
Module 1, Unit 2 explores how excellent teachers protect dignity while designing learning with precision, balancing care and challenge, compassion and clarity, every day in the classroom
paulurry68.substack.com/p/excellent-...
My latest piece in The Psychological Work of Headship.
Self-awareness before strategy — why your inner world shapes judgement, tone, and decision-making far more than we like to admit in school leadership.
paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-psycho...
Self-awareness before strategy — why your inner world shapes judgement, tone, and decision-making far more than we like to admit in school leadership.
paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-psycho...
The Psychology of Headship #2
Why your inner world shapes every leadership decision you make
paulurry68.substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:37 AM
My latest piece in The Psychological Work of Headship.
Self-awareness before strategy — why your inner world shapes judgement, tone, and decision-making far more than we like to admit in school leadership.
paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-psycho...
Self-awareness before strategy — why your inner world shapes judgement, tone, and decision-making far more than we like to admit in school leadership.
paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-psycho...
DfE Decoded is published weekly on Sundays.
Clear, calm analysis of new DfE policy — written for school and trust leaders who want understanding.
Each one with a leadership reference, challenge and action guide
paulurry68.substack.com/s/dfe-decoded
Clear, calm analysis of new DfE policy — written for school and trust leaders who want understanding.
Each one with a leadership reference, challenge and action guide
paulurry68.substack.com/s/dfe-decoded
DfE Decoded | A Headteacher's Perspective | Substack
Education policy moves quickly — and school leaders don’t always have the time to read every guidance document in full. This section breaks down the latest Department for Education updates into clear,...
paulurry68.substack.com
January 11, 2026 at 12:02 PM
DfE Decoded is published weekly on Sundays.
Clear, calm analysis of new DfE policy — written for school and trust leaders who want understanding.
Each one with a leadership reference, challenge and action guide
paulurry68.substack.com/s/dfe-decoded
Clear, calm analysis of new DfE policy — written for school and trust leaders who want understanding.
Each one with a leadership reference, challenge and action guide
paulurry68.substack.com/s/dfe-decoded
My DfE Decoded #56 unpacks the Children’s Wellbeing & Schools Bill as a leadership issue, not a compliance one.
It reframes safeguarding, attendance and wellbeing.
There’s also a leadership reference sheet for heads and governors.
paulurry68.substack.com/p/dfe-decode...
It reframes safeguarding, attendance and wellbeing.
There’s also a leadership reference sheet for heads and governors.
paulurry68.substack.com/p/dfe-decode...
DfE Decoded #56 Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
What This Legislation Really Asks of School Leaders
paulurry68.substack.com
January 11, 2026 at 8:22 AM
My DfE Decoded #56 unpacks the Children’s Wellbeing & Schools Bill as a leadership issue, not a compliance one.
It reframes safeguarding, attendance and wellbeing.
There’s also a leadership reference sheet for heads and governors.
paulurry68.substack.com/p/dfe-decode...
It reframes safeguarding, attendance and wellbeing.
There’s also a leadership reference sheet for heads and governors.
paulurry68.substack.com/p/dfe-decode...
Before leadership becomes visible, it becomes personal.
Module 1, Unit 1 of Becoming a Future Head creates space to reflect on purpose, values, and what truly anchors leadership
Not techniques.
Not performance.
Just clarity of why — before questions of how.
paulurry68.substack.com/p/becoming-a...
Module 1, Unit 1 of Becoming a Future Head creates space to reflect on purpose, values, and what truly anchors leadership
Not techniques.
Not performance.
Just clarity of why — before questions of how.
paulurry68.substack.com/p/becoming-a...
Becoming a Future Head Module 1 Unit 1
Clarifying Your Core Leadership Values and Purpose
paulurry68.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 10:52 AM
Before leadership becomes visible, it becomes personal.
Module 1, Unit 1 of Becoming a Future Head creates space to reflect on purpose, values, and what truly anchors leadership
Not techniques.
Not performance.
Just clarity of why — before questions of how.
paulurry68.substack.com/p/becoming-a...
Module 1, Unit 1 of Becoming a Future Head creates space to reflect on purpose, values, and what truly anchors leadership
Not techniques.
Not performance.
Just clarity of why — before questions of how.
paulurry68.substack.com/p/becoming-a...
Deputy headship is one of the most influential leadership roles in a school—but it’s often misunderstood
Module 1 of The Art of the Deputy Head explores leadership through influence rather than title
For deputies who want to lead consciously, calmly and well
paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-art-of...
Module 1 of The Art of the Deputy Head explores leadership through influence rather than title
For deputies who want to lead consciously, calmly and well
paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-art-of...
The Art of the Deputy Module 1 Unit 1
Defining the Deputy’s Role – Leadership through Influence, Not Title
paulurry68.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Deputy headship is one of the most influential leadership roles in a school—but it’s often misunderstood
Module 1 of The Art of the Deputy Head explores leadership through influence rather than title
For deputies who want to lead consciously, calmly and well
paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-art-of...
Module 1 of The Art of the Deputy Head explores leadership through influence rather than title
For deputies who want to lead consciously, calmly and well
paulurry68.substack.com/p/the-art-of...