HeadteacherChat
@headteacherchat.bsky.social
⭐️Proud to host a fantastic community of edu leaders, and offering support every step of the leadership journey. Join our newsletter for regular updates.👇
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Remember, it's not just pupils who need words of positivity and kindness, but your colleagues and support staff.
Even the parents in your community could do with words of positivity and kindness.
Connecting and building strong relationships takes everyone in the community.
Even the parents in your community could do with words of positivity and kindness.
Connecting and building strong relationships takes everyone in the community.
Upcoming event – BETT Show Think Tank
Heading to BETT?
Join us for a HeadteacherChat Think Tank on how AI could realistically support leadership: strategic planning, workload and decision making.
Heading to BETT?
Join us for a HeadteacherChat Think Tank on how AI could realistically support leadership: strategic planning, workload and decision making.
December 7, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Upcoming event – BETT Show Think Tank
Heading to BETT?
Join us for a HeadteacherChat Think Tank on how AI could realistically support leadership: strategic planning, workload and decision making.
Heading to BETT?
Join us for a HeadteacherChat Think Tank on how AI could realistically support leadership: strategic planning, workload and decision making.
Upcoming event – Strategic Safeguarding
Strategic Safeguarding: The Why, How and the What focuses on culture, systems and everyday decisions that keep pupils safe.
Join Jon LeFerve to think through safeguarding at leadership level and how it plays out in daily practice.
Strategic Safeguarding: The Why, How and the What focuses on culture, systems and everyday decisions that keep pupils safe.
Join Jon LeFerve to think through safeguarding at leadership level and how it plays out in daily practice.
December 7, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Upcoming event – Strategic Safeguarding
Strategic Safeguarding: The Why, How and the What focuses on culture, systems and everyday decisions that keep pupils safe.
Join Jon LeFerve to think through safeguarding at leadership level and how it plays out in daily practice.
Strategic Safeguarding: The Why, How and the What focuses on culture, systems and everyday decisions that keep pupils safe.
Join Jon LeFerve to think through safeguarding at leadership level and how it plays out in daily practice.
Upcoming event – What is Good Progress for Pupils with SEND
What does meaningful progress look like for pupils with SEND, and how do you evidence it with confidence?
What does meaningful progress look like for pupils with SEND, and how do you evidence it with confidence?
December 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Upcoming event – What is Good Progress for Pupils with SEND
What does meaningful progress look like for pupils with SEND, and how do you evidence it with confidence?
What does meaningful progress look like for pupils with SEND, and how do you evidence it with confidence?
Upcoming events – overview
If you are planning Spring 2026, our upcoming events focus on INSET planning, SEND progress, strategic safeguarding and realistic uses of AI in school leadership.
If you are planning Spring 2026, our upcoming events focus on INSET planning, SEND progress, strategic safeguarding and realistic uses of AI in school leadership.
December 6, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Upcoming events – overview
If you are planning Spring 2026, our upcoming events focus on INSET planning, SEND progress, strategic safeguarding and realistic uses of AI in school leadership.
If you are planning Spring 2026, our upcoming events focus on INSET planning, SEND progress, strategic safeguarding and realistic uses of AI in school leadership.
Community conversations
Three big themes in the HeadteacherChat Community this week:
• Leadership habits and culture
• Digital strategy and the DfE standards
• Wellbeing, workload and staff energy
Three big themes in the HeadteacherChat Community this week:
• Leadership habits and culture
• Digital strategy and the DfE standards
• Wellbeing, workload and staff energy
December 6, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Community conversations
Three big themes in the HeadteacherChat Community this week:
• Leadership habits and culture
• Digital strategy and the DfE standards
• Wellbeing, workload and staff energy
Three big themes in the HeadteacherChat Community this week:
• Leadership habits and culture
• Digital strategy and the DfE standards
• Wellbeing, workload and staff energy
Anon post: When will the report cards from the voluntary Ofsted inspections be released?
December 6, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Anon post: When will the report cards from the voluntary Ofsted inspections be released?
Key resource – Leadership Evidence Toolkit for School Leaders
Turning Ofsted expectations into practical, defensible evidence is a recurring theme in our community.
Turning Ofsted expectations into practical, defensible evidence is a recurring theme in our community.
December 6, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Key resource – Leadership Evidence Toolkit for School Leaders
Turning Ofsted expectations into practical, defensible evidence is a recurring theme in our community.
Turning Ofsted expectations into practical, defensible evidence is a recurring theme in our community.
This week’s focus area – Ready to Lead: Spring 2026
“How do I use January INSET to align everyone with the new Ofsted framework without creating weeks of extra work?”
“How do I use January INSET to align everyone with the new Ofsted framework without creating weeks of extra work?”
December 6, 2025 at 8:01 AM
This week’s focus area – Ready to Lead: Spring 2026
“How do I use January INSET to align everyone with the new Ofsted framework without creating weeks of extra work?”
“How do I use January INSET to align everyone with the new Ofsted framework without creating weeks of extra work?”
Not yet a HeadteacherChat Community member?
If January INSET and Ofsted evidence are on your mind, this is a good week to join the HeadteacherChat Community.
Members receive Ready to Lead: Spring 2026, full access to the Leadership Evidence Toolkit, ongoing CPD and a national peer network.
If January INSET and Ofsted evidence are on your mind, this is a good week to join the HeadteacherChat Community.
Members receive Ready to Lead: Spring 2026, full access to the Leadership Evidence Toolkit, ongoing CPD and a national peer network.
December 5, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Not yet a HeadteacherChat Community member?
If January INSET and Ofsted evidence are on your mind, this is a good week to join the HeadteacherChat Community.
Members receive Ready to Lead: Spring 2026, full access to the Leadership Evidence Toolkit, ongoing CPD and a national peer network.
If January INSET and Ofsted evidence are on your mind, this is a good week to join the HeadteacherChat Community.
Members receive Ready to Lead: Spring 2026, full access to the Leadership Evidence Toolkit, ongoing CPD and a national peer network.
Serious question.
What is the unofficial dress code for the last week of term in your school
Full Christmas jumper
Subtle festive nod
Business as usual
What is the unofficial dress code for the last week of term in your school
Full Christmas jumper
Subtle festive nod
Business as usual
December 5, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Serious question.
What is the unofficial dress code for the last week of term in your school
Full Christmas jumper
Subtle festive nod
Business as usual
What is the unofficial dress code for the last week of term in your school
Full Christmas jumper
Subtle festive nod
Business as usual
School leadership should not feel lonely.
Our Community brings together heads and senior leaders who share practical tools, hard won lessons and a lot of encouragement.
If you would value a space where people really understand the job, you are welcome to join us: headteacher-chat.link/htc-comm
Our Community brings together heads and senior leaders who share practical tools, hard won lessons and a lot of encouragement.
If you would value a space where people really understand the job, you are welcome to join us: headteacher-chat.link/htc-comm
HeadteacherChat Community | Connect with Education Leaders & Teachers | School Leadership Network
Join our vibrant community of education leaders. Connect with fellow headteachers, share experiences, and access exclusive resources to enhance your school leadership journey. Be part of the UK's largest online network for school leaders.
headteacher-chat.link
December 5, 2025 at 6:34 PM
School leadership should not feel lonely.
Our Community brings together heads and senior leaders who share practical tools, hard won lessons and a lot of encouragement.
If you would value a space where people really understand the job, you are welcome to join us: headteacher-chat.link/htc-comm
Our Community brings together heads and senior leaders who share practical tools, hard won lessons and a lot of encouragement.
If you would value a space where people really understand the job, you are welcome to join us: headteacher-chat.link/htc-comm
Spring term is when culture, routines and expectations really show.
On 9 December we are running a live CPD session to help you lead four Ofsted-aligned staff meetings with confidence. Here is what we will cover. [link]
On 9 December we are running a live CPD session to help you lead four Ofsted-aligned staff meetings with confidence. Here is what we will cover. [link]
December 5, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Spring term is when culture, routines and expectations really show.
On 9 December we are running a live CPD session to help you lead four Ofsted-aligned staff meetings with confidence. Here is what we will cover. [link]
On 9 December we are running a live CPD session to help you lead four Ofsted-aligned staff meetings with confidence. Here is what we will cover. [link]
Not a HeadteacherChat Community member yet?
You can still join our live CPD on 9 December, 9.30–11.30am:
“Ready for Spring 2026: Ofsted-Aligned Staff Meetings”.
Tickets £65 via TryBooking, including replay and a full resource pack to share with your staff team.
You can still join our live CPD on 9 December, 9.30–11.30am:
“Ready for Spring 2026: Ofsted-Aligned Staff Meetings”.
Tickets £65 via TryBooking, including replay and a full resource pack to share with your staff team.
December 5, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Not a HeadteacherChat Community member yet?
You can still join our live CPD on 9 December, 9.30–11.30am:
“Ready for Spring 2026: Ofsted-Aligned Staff Meetings”.
Tickets £65 via TryBooking, including replay and a full resource pack to share with your staff team.
You can still join our live CPD on 9 December, 9.30–11.30am:
“Ready for Spring 2026: Ofsted-Aligned Staff Meetings”.
Tickets £65 via TryBooking, including replay and a full resource pack to share with your staff team.
HeadteacherChat Community members: this new CPD is included in your membership.
“Ready for Spring 2026: Ofsted-Aligned Staff Meetings”
Tuesday 9 December, 9.30–11.30am, live in the Community platform.
“Ready for Spring 2026: Ofsted-Aligned Staff Meetings”
Tuesday 9 December, 9.30–11.30am, live in the Community platform.
December 5, 2025 at 2:44 PM
HeadteacherChat Community members: this new CPD is included in your membership.
“Ready for Spring 2026: Ofsted-Aligned Staff Meetings”
Tuesday 9 December, 9.30–11.30am, live in the Community platform.
“Ready for Spring 2026: Ofsted-Aligned Staff Meetings”
Tuesday 9 December, 9.30–11.30am, live in the Community platform.
Planning Ofsted-aligned staff meetings for Spring term?
Join our two-hour online CPD and get:
• Slide decks and agendas for four one-hour staff meetings
• Graded criteria tables aligned to Ofsted language
• Templates, checklists and monitoring tools ready to use the next day
Join our two-hour online CPD and get:
• Slide decks and agendas for four one-hour staff meetings
• Graded criteria tables aligned to Ofsted language
• Templates, checklists and monitoring tools ready to use the next day
December 5, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Planning Ofsted-aligned staff meetings for Spring term?
Join our two-hour online CPD and get:
• Slide decks and agendas for four one-hour staff meetings
• Graded criteria tables aligned to Ofsted language
• Templates, checklists and monitoring tools ready to use the next day
Join our two-hour online CPD and get:
• Slide decks and agendas for four one-hour staff meetings
• Graded criteria tables aligned to Ofsted language
• Templates, checklists and monitoring tools ready to use the next day
Today’s HeadteacherChat newsletter focuses on helping you go into January with clarity and confidence.
Inside, you will find: Ready to Lead January INSET support, the Leadership Evidence Toolkit, community highlights, events, a blog spotlight, book review, poll and more.
Inside, you will find: Ready to Lead January INSET support, the Leadership Evidence Toolkit, community highlights, events, a blog spotlight, book review, poll and more.
December 5, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Today’s HeadteacherChat newsletter focuses on helping you go into January with clarity and confidence.
Inside, you will find: Ready to Lead January INSET support, the Leadership Evidence Toolkit, community highlights, events, a blog spotlight, book review, poll and more.
Inside, you will find: Ready to Lead January INSET support, the Leadership Evidence Toolkit, community highlights, events, a blog spotlight, book review, poll and more.
Ofsted’s 2025 framework raises the bar on culture, consistency and everyday routines.
Our live CPD on 9 December (9.30–11.30am) turns those expectations into four practical staff meetings:
Safeguarding
Inclusion
Attendance
Leadership and Governance
Our live CPD on 9 December (9.30–11.30am) turns those expectations into four practical staff meetings:
Safeguarding
Inclusion
Attendance
Leadership and Governance
December 5, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Ofsted’s 2025 framework raises the bar on culture, consistency and everyday routines.
Our live CPD on 9 December (9.30–11.30am) turns those expectations into four practical staff meetings:
Safeguarding
Inclusion
Attendance
Leadership and Governance
Our live CPD on 9 December (9.30–11.30am) turns those expectations into four practical staff meetings:
Safeguarding
Inclusion
Attendance
Leadership and Governance
Ready to start Spring 2026 with confidence?
On Tuesday 9 December, 9.30–11.30am, we are running a live online CPD session:
“Ready for Spring 2026: Ofsted-Aligned Staff Meetings”.
Safeguarding, Inclusion, Attendance, Leadership and Governance in four ready-to-use staff meetings.
On Tuesday 9 December, 9.30–11.30am, we are running a live online CPD session:
“Ready for Spring 2026: Ofsted-Aligned Staff Meetings”.
Safeguarding, Inclusion, Attendance, Leadership and Governance in four ready-to-use staff meetings.
December 4, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Ready to start Spring 2026 with confidence?
On Tuesday 9 December, 9.30–11.30am, we are running a live online CPD session:
“Ready for Spring 2026: Ofsted-Aligned Staff Meetings”.
Safeguarding, Inclusion, Attendance, Leadership and Governance in four ready-to-use staff meetings.
On Tuesday 9 December, 9.30–11.30am, we are running a live online CPD session:
“Ready for Spring 2026: Ofsted-Aligned Staff Meetings”.
Safeguarding, Inclusion, Attendance, Leadership and Governance in four ready-to-use staff meetings.
Do you remember these PE Lessons?
December 4, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Do you remember these PE Lessons?
Anonymous Question:
What are the best and worst Christmas gifts you have received as a headteacher from staff or parents?
This came up in a recent staffroom conversation — the worst example so far was a microwave crisp maker.
What are the best and worst Christmas gifts you have received as a headteacher from staff or parents?
This came up in a recent staffroom conversation — the worst example so far was a microwave crisp maker.
December 4, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Anonymous Question:
What are the best and worst Christmas gifts you have received as a headteacher from staff or parents?
This came up in a recent staffroom conversation — the worst example so far was a microwave crisp maker.
What are the best and worst Christmas gifts you have received as a headteacher from staff or parents?
This came up in a recent staffroom conversation — the worst example so far was a microwave crisp maker.
"If we create a culture where every teacher believes they need to improve, not because they are not good enough but because they can be better, there is no limit to what we can achieve."
Dylan Wiliam
Dylan Wiliam
December 4, 2025 at 5:03 PM
"If we create a culture where every teacher believes they need to improve, not because they are not good enough but because they can be better, there is no limit to what we can achieve."
Dylan Wiliam
Dylan Wiliam
Leadership in schools is often summed up by the principle: “The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.”
December 4, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Leadership in schools is often summed up by the principle: “The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.”
Blast form the past:
How to teach swimming!
How to teach swimming!
December 4, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Blast form the past:
How to teach swimming!
How to teach swimming!
Choosing a Christmas Tree!
December 4, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Choosing a Christmas Tree!
“Integrity is choosing courage over comfort; choosing what is right over what is fun, fast, or easy; and choosing to practice our values rather than simply professing them.”
Brene Brown
Brene Brown
December 4, 2025 at 10:02 AM
“Integrity is choosing courage over comfort; choosing what is right over what is fun, fast, or easy; and choosing to practice our values rather than simply professing them.”
Brene Brown
Brene Brown