A Passion for Education – The story of a Headteacher

If you’re in education, or simply interested in education,then this book gives you all the inside story, dirt and reality. It is no academic, dry philosophy. It is anecdote, humour and experience. You don’t have to be in education to appreciate it. There’s something for everyone.

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If you want to know how to run an Outstanding School then read this! This book is a memoir of an outspoken maverick Headteacher who did it his way. He was a Rock ‘n’ Roll Head who fought for his philosophy and lead his school to three consecutive Outstanding Ofsted inspections. He had a passion and a vision that permeated the fabric of the school and transformed it into one of the best schools in the country. He was a rebel who did not kow-tow to Ofsted or the Local Authority, who spent the early years of his teaching fighting for his beliefs in a traditional, hidebound school that was floundering and found himself taking on the entire hierarchy of the school. He believed in valuing all his students, caring for them and putting that above all else. He believed in equality, freedom, and fairness and refused to allow any system into his school that was contrary to those principles. He believed racism, sexism, bullying, violence and xenophobia were evils that should be opposed before all else. In the course of standing up for his beliefs he led the school on a journey that culminated in three ‘Outstanding Ofsted’s’, Attendance rates that were the best in County, an exam success rate that built year upon year to great heights, and a behaviour record that was unsurpassed. Every single area of his responsibilities over the whole thirty six years of his teaching was deemed by inspection to be outstanding, excellent or exemplary. This is the story of how he created that success.

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In this autobiographical account of his life as Head Teacher of Beverley Grammar School, Chris takes us through many of the failings of the post-war education system to the much superior, more flexible teaching of the twenty-first century. Along the way, he enthuses about rock music, leadership vs management, and – particularly – the kids. If you can make every lesson fun, every child feel cared for, and every staff member nurtured, attendance and results will pretty much look after themselves. You can pass every Ofsted inspection with flying colours, and your school can become best in class (no pun intended).

I was at college with Chris, and it didn’t seem to me then that he was destined to be a head teacher of a secondary school – a music critic, more like. He has done education a great service by showing you can be a rebel and get results too. I hadn’t expected to enjoy this book as much as I did; it has extraordinary energy and a lust for achievement. Every teacher should read it! 8/10 (October 2014)

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Format: Paperback

If you have any interest in the education of your child this book is essential reading. Having studied and worked in education myself I find Mr Goodwins insights and experiences very thought provoking. It deserves a place on the shelves of every educational establishment and needless to say a few people at the ministries and especially the minister for education should read this and maybe, just maybe, we could move forward and improve the educational standards of our children where they have been slipping on a global level.
Mr Goodwin shows, his Ofsted scores prove the point, that civility and empathy rather than antiquated regimented regimes can be extremely effective.

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An excellent and informative book of Mr Goodwin’s time at the Beverley Grammar School. As a former pupil, it is hard to believe what was going on behind the scenes, however he kept it together and carried on securing the school an outstanding rating from Ofsted in both 2008 and 2010.

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As an retired teacher and Head of Department I found this book a joy to read. It is many things – personal biography, passionate polemic, practical handbook, education history, inspirational text, you name it – woven together in a natural, organic way which really gives you the feel of school life. The author knows whereof he speaks and in friendly fashion takes you, the reader, by the hand on a headlong and often exciting journey through the maze of modern education. His vision is clear and compelling, he knows what works and what doesn’t, he wants you to share his profound sense of the human potential which we can unlock if only we get our schools right. He articulates a philosophy which puts the whole child at its centre and explores the relationships underlying the magic of educational development. The book is written in a direct, heartfelt, jargon-free style and is packed with amusing anecdotes which illuminate his principles, unlike many dry books on the subject. Passionate and humorous and unafraid of controversy, it certainly gets you thinking. I found it a real page-turner and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone interested in good education, whether outside or inside the teaching profession. For anyone connected with school management, in any capacity, it is essential reading. A unique and valuable voice.

One thought on “A Passion for Education – The story of a Headteacher

  1. Reblogged this on Opher's World and commented:

    This book tells the inside story of Headship at A secondary school in England. It tells the story of how I worked to made it a top school – no holds barred.

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