Education is in a mess. The whole programme of knowledge-based rote learning, teaching by numbers and tick-box over-analysis is driving good, inspirational teachers out, making our children statistics and taking us back to the 1950s.

I was responsible for three Outstanding Ofsted’s in a row, without selling out, while keeping my students at the centre of everything, producing a caring, friendly school and generating a positive, happy community.

I didn’t do that by kowtowing to Ofsted. I didn’t do that by following the standard path. I did it with a clear philosophy in which each and every one of my students were equally important.

This book tells you how, why and what that philosophy was. It is sprinkled with anecdotes that illustrate the philosophy.

I think that A Passion For Education is a good read for everyone, whether you are in education or not, and a book any teacher would find thought provoking.

Contents

Foreword                                                                                5

Chapter 1 – Headship – beginning the perfect storm and

other disasters                                                     13

Chapter 2 – More about the catastrophe at the beginning      23

Chapter 3 – Second time of asking                                         31

Chapter 4 – Relationship, ethos and philosophy                    37

Chapter 5 – The purpose of education                                    52

Chapter 6 – PSHE and drugs                                                 57

Chapter 7 – Managing people                                                 72

Chapter 8 – Relationships                                                       80

Chapter 9 – The curriculum                                                    93

Chapter 10 – Inspections                                                        100

Chapter 11 – The pastoral system                                           108

Chapter 12 – The whole child unwrapped from ‘red tape’    113

Chapter 13 – Great lessons – great teaching                           123

Chapter 14 – Knowing your students                                     133

Chapter 15 – Open doors and open minds                             141

Chapter 16 – Managing change                                              145

Chapter 17 – Work ethic and effort                                       148

Chapter 18 – Those that can’t do!                                          153

Chapter 19 – The government and politics and worst

experiences                                                      155

Chapter 20 – The tick-box culture                                          161

Chapter 21 – Assemblies                                                        165

Chapter 22 – Time management                                             167

Chapter 23 – Banding, streaming and comprehensive

education                                                        171

Chapter 24 – My early years                                                   175

Chapter 25 – Outside interests                                               178

Chapter 26 – Dealing with bullying                                        179

Chapter 27 – Grammar schools and selection             182

Chapter 28 – Restorative practice                                           186

Chapter 29 – Academies, free schools and religious

schools                                                            189

Chapter 30 – Inspirational teachers                                        192

Chapter 31 – Safeguarding and health & safety                    197

Chapter 32 – Assessment and marking                                   203

Chapter 33 – It’s the little things that count                           207

Chapter 34 – Starting school sets the tone                             211

Chapter 35 – Individuality or uniforms?                                215

Chapter 36 – Parents!!!                                                           218

Chapter 37 – Private education                                              227

Chapter 38 – Training and politicians                                     231

Chapter 39 – Rock ‘n’ Roll Head                                           238

Chapter 40 – Finance                                                              240

Chapter 41 – Publicity                                                            242

Chapter 42 – Back your staff                                                 245

Chapter 43 – Attendance                                                        247

Chapter 44 – Student Voice                                                   249

Chapter 45 – Governors                                                          250

Chapter 46 – Specialisms                                                        251

Chapter 47 – Politics and education and austerity                 253

Chapter 48 – My own classroom Ofsted inspections             256

Chapter 49 – Appointments and promotions                          257

Chapter 50 – Leadership and management                            260

Chapter 51 – The precariousness of Headship and the

tyranny Ofsted has become                            262

Chapter 52 –   How to pass an Ofsted Inspection                 266

Chapter 53 –   The future of education                                  267

Chapter 54 –   Retirement                                                      269

Appendix 1 – What qualities a Headteacher requires             271

Appendix 2 – What really works in the realm of education   273

Appendix 3 – What is neither effective nor desirable                        280

In the UK

In the USA

In India