OK - it's been over 2 years since I posted anything on my blog. Perhaps this is just not my thing or maybe I've been too lazy and/or busy? I really can't argue that I haven't had any time at all to do something. Perhaps it's a lack of understanding or confidence in these new communication methods? Not so new now though.
What this means of course is that anyone who did follow my blog two years ago has long since stopped looking - why would they keep looking when nothing ever got added? It could also mean that adding this now is possibly a complete waste of time as no-one will read it. Anyway, a New Year resolution must be attempted - making better use of blogs, twitter and Linkedin. I need to learn how to do this before I can make better use!
Where to start a 2 year catch up? I'm going to do this a bit by bit as it will take far too long otherwise.
A recap;
I started Positive Education Solutions (PES Ltd) soon after taking early retirement because I was very keen to use my experience as a successful headteacher and facilitator. I wanted to contribute and make a difference to pupils' learning experiences by helping leaders and schools to improve what they do. I remain passionate about the importance of making sure that pupils get the best possible deal while in school to have better life choices and opportunities in their future. Fundamental to this is high quality leadership resulting in high quality schools. It would appear from OFSTED findings in England and my now fairly extensive experience of reviewing schools in the US (45 schools now) that the poor quality of leadership in too many schools remains a serious issue. Good schools don't tend to have poor leaders.
I have managed to contribute through facilitating the new NPQML programme, articles and webinars (mainly National College) on aspects of leadership and hopefully through working as a lead reviewer in the US. (The review process we use is generally much more "working with" than my experience of inspections in the UK.) I am also developing "Core Culture" - my attempt at showing what leaders (mainly school but also generic) should do to establish a culture which will enable sustainable improvement and organisational success.
More to follow (I promise!) - run out of time for now.  If anyone finds this - please comment.

Quiet times and possibilities

Seems to have been a really quiet summer but perhaps that is how it should be. I have done some more work on the quality relationships project and started to build it into a leadership development programme which could be useful at different levels.  Mainly aimed at middle leaders I suppose.
A few things coming along in the Autumn I hope - perhaps another opportunity to work in the US, ongoing NPQH coaching, some work in Worcestershire with schools (TA and Governor training) and the Local Authority (working on developing Short Stay Schools leadership and governance), supporting Headteacher's performance management, maybe an article in a National College newsletter and, hopefully, some school improvement work in a London authority.  I'm optimistic that things will go from nothing much over the summer to quite a few possibles becoming reality in the Autumn.  Difficult and changing times I know but looking forward to doing more and getting involved in school improvement and leadership development again.
Any "Free" schools out there needing support from an experienced, successful Headteacher for whole achool development - surely there must be!  Or, good/outstanding schools aiming to improve even further or looking to become teaching schools - to outstanding and beyond!! Or struggling schools where my "turnaround" experience may be helpful?? Successful experience, reasonable rates etc.
Really don't know if anyone will read this  - I'm sure that someone will find the blog soon.  If you do please add something - it would great to hear from you, from anyone in fact!! Must get into the habit of blogging regularly.

Conferences and articles

Since 'moving on' from successful headship career last March, now set up as freelance consultant and trainer offering wide range of experience and expertise in school improvement.  Having led two schools out of seriously negative situations, I believe that I have a lot to offer around leadership development, capacity building, curriculum development, policies and procedures, morale and motivation , communications etc. etc. Have built some links and very keen to use my experience to continue working on school improvement.

Great experience recently working in Florida (Lesson Evaluation project) and North Carolina (School Reviews) - really challenging and very steep learning curve but enjoyed it overall.  As the NCSL programmes I've been working on (LFTM, Lead Pathways) are changing direction other opportunities are starting to appear - hopefully more chances to go to the US as well - we'll see.

Thought that my education conference days were over but went to one a few weeks ago - all about characteristics of high performing schools.  Really enjoyed it - and it wasn't just about 'outstanding' schools in favourable circumstances.  Covered a range of successful, improving schools which have several characteristics in common.  Quite a lot of it resonated with me as there were key elements which I worked on when leading schools in challenging circumstances. For example, the importance of vision and clarity of purpose to name but one.

One element, which I firmly believe is crucial but doesn't seem to be overtly mentioned a lot is the importance of quality professional relationships (QPR!!).  Perhaps it runs through a lot of successful school improvement leadership but I haven't heard much about how important effective professional relationships are nor how leaders should go about developing them.  Perhaps I've missed the range of books and articles on the subject! Talking of articles - I've been writing one about exactly this - the importance of relationships and how they can be developed.  Even though I'm quite passionate about this, it's been hard going - I'm finding trying to write in 'article' style difficult.  I would welcome any thoughts/observations on the general theme - importance of quality professional relationships (QPR!).  Over the last few months, I've also been developing some materials about the key elements of relationship building and the leadership skills needed - a school improvement/leadership development package focusing on this theme. 

Please post something - only just started and haven't got any followers yet!!