David
@dsprimed.bsky.social
Primary education leader.
Likes & reposts not endorsements; follows don't mean I subscribe to your doctrines. Personal account. All sparks will burn out.
Likes & reposts not endorsements; follows don't mean I subscribe to your doctrines. Personal account. All sparks will burn out.
We forgive as we forget, as the day is long.
A post about lyrics and leadership.
www.linkedin.com/posts/david-...
A post about lyrics and leadership.
www.linkedin.com/posts/david-...
February 11, 2026 at 8:18 PM
We forgive as we forget, as the day is long.
A post about lyrics and leadership.
www.linkedin.com/posts/david-...
A post about lyrics and leadership.
www.linkedin.com/posts/david-...
The awesome @tattooedheadteachr.bsky.social shared “Having access to people smarter than you is a blessing, not a threat"
I could diagnose pupil progress issues, but struggled staff translating them into precise, measurable action. A senior trust leader helped.
Insight matters. Impact matters more.
I could diagnose pupil progress issues, but struggled staff translating them into precise, measurable action. A senior trust leader helped.
Insight matters. Impact matters more.
February 11, 2026 at 6:09 PM
The awesome @tattooedheadteachr.bsky.social shared “Having access to people smarter than you is a blessing, not a threat"
I could diagnose pupil progress issues, but struggled staff translating them into precise, measurable action. A senior trust leader helped.
Insight matters. Impact matters more.
I could diagnose pupil progress issues, but struggled staff translating them into precise, measurable action. A senior trust leader helped.
Insight matters. Impact matters more.
Reposted by David
Absolutely, it's not a popularity contest.
That's hard sometimes as no one likes to unliked. But that's why it is so important to have a life outside school. Too many people fall into the trap of their colleagues being their world. Have friends outside work that matter more.
That's hard sometimes as no one likes to unliked. But that's why it is so important to have a life outside school. Too many people fall into the trap of their colleagues being their world. Have friends outside work that matter more.
February 10, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Absolutely, it's not a popularity contest.
That's hard sometimes as no one likes to unliked. But that's why it is so important to have a life outside school. Too many people fall into the trap of their colleagues being their world. Have friends outside work that matter more.
That's hard sometimes as no one likes to unliked. But that's why it is so important to have a life outside school. Too many people fall into the trap of their colleagues being their world. Have friends outside work that matter more.
Reposted by David
There are times in school leadership when it feels like you’re pleasing no one at all. That doesn’t always mean you’re getting it wrong. Often it means you’re making choices in messy conditions. You won’t be liked in those moments. Your job is to stay steady, human and intact.
February 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM
There are times in school leadership when it feels like you’re pleasing no one at all. That doesn’t always mean you’re getting it wrong. Often it means you’re making choices in messy conditions. You won’t be liked in those moments. Your job is to stay steady, human and intact.
There are times in school leadership when it feels like you’re pleasing no one at all. That doesn’t always mean you’re getting it wrong. Often it means you’re making choices in messy conditions. You won’t be liked in those moments. Your job is to stay steady, human and intact.
February 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM
There are times in school leadership when it feels like you’re pleasing no one at all. That doesn’t always mean you’re getting it wrong. Often it means you’re making choices in messy conditions. You won’t be liked in those moments. Your job is to stay steady, human and intact.
Compliance chased is compliance resented. When we stop chasing and start designing systems that support human fallibility, we trade enforced obedience for shared ownership.
Assume good intent. Leadership isn't about more reminders; it’s about shared clarity. #Leadership #Trust
Assume good intent. Leadership isn't about more reminders; it’s about shared clarity. #Leadership #Trust
February 9, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Compliance chased is compliance resented. When we stop chasing and start designing systems that support human fallibility, we trade enforced obedience for shared ownership.
Assume good intent. Leadership isn't about more reminders; it’s about shared clarity. #Leadership #Trust
Assume good intent. Leadership isn't about more reminders; it’s about shared clarity. #Leadership #Trust
1/3 🧵
Evenings like this: daughter in the kitchen, the clatter of pans, a long-distance chat with Dad. No drama, no big breakthroughs—just the steady, quiet music of domestic life. It’s remarkable how much it matters when everything finally feels in its right place.
Evenings like this: daughter in the kitchen, the clatter of pans, a long-distance chat with Dad. No drama, no big breakthroughs—just the steady, quiet music of domestic life. It’s remarkable how much it matters when everything finally feels in its right place.
February 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM
1/3 🧵
Evenings like this: daughter in the kitchen, the clatter of pans, a long-distance chat with Dad. No drama, no big breakthroughs—just the steady, quiet music of domestic life. It’s remarkable how much it matters when everything finally feels in its right place.
Evenings like this: daughter in the kitchen, the clatter of pans, a long-distance chat with Dad. No drama, no big breakthroughs—just the steady, quiet music of domestic life. It’s remarkable how much it matters when everything finally feels in its right place.
February Fragments: Balancing Act. Full post on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/posts/david-...
February 8, 2026 at 10:30 AM
February Fragments: Balancing Act. Full post on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/posts/david-...
Another reason every leader should be a reader - not for optics, not for book lists.
Because reading trains you to sit with complexity, hold opposing ideas, and change your mind without losing your nerve.
Because reading trains you to sit with complexity, hold opposing ideas, and change your mind without losing your nerve.
February 7, 2026 at 10:55 AM
Another reason every leader should be a reader - not for optics, not for book lists.
Because reading trains you to sit with complexity, hold opposing ideas, and change your mind without losing your nerve.
Because reading trains you to sit with complexity, hold opposing ideas, and change your mind without losing your nerve.
Our most valuable resource at work is time. The best use of it is often talk, not agenda driven meetings but real human connection. When people have space to listen and think together, trust grows and the work usually moves more safely afterwards.
February 7, 2026 at 8:47 AM
Our most valuable resource at work is time. The best use of it is often talk, not agenda driven meetings but real human connection. When people have space to listen and think together, trust grows and the work usually moves more safely afterwards.
Reposted by David
Output not outcomes
February 6, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Output not outcomes
Some people assume Shakey Leadership will run out of steam. That assumption usually comes from the sidelines.
January had a post every day. February will too. Before that came the 42 Laws of Primary Leadership. This was never about momentum or attention. 1/2
January had a post every day. February will too. Before that came the 42 Laws of Primary Leadership. This was never about momentum or attention. 1/2
February 6, 2026 at 7:18 PM
Some people assume Shakey Leadership will run out of steam. That assumption usually comes from the sidelines.
January had a post every day. February will too. Before that came the 42 Laws of Primary Leadership. This was never about momentum or attention. 1/2
January had a post every day. February will too. Before that came the 42 Laws of Primary Leadership. This was never about momentum or attention. 1/2
This week's Shakey Leadership wisdom thread 🧵 👇
February 6, 2026 at 6:08 PM
This week's Shakey Leadership wisdom thread 🧵 👇
Thread 🧵 1/3
Staff wellbeing surveys are designed to help leaders listen, which is necessary. there’s a strange irony, however, in discovering via an anonymous database, that the thing most damaging staff wellbeing is leadership decisions.
Staff wellbeing surveys are designed to help leaders listen, which is necessary. there’s a strange irony, however, in discovering via an anonymous database, that the thing most damaging staff wellbeing is leadership decisions.
February 5, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Thread 🧵 1/3
Staff wellbeing surveys are designed to help leaders listen, which is necessary. there’s a strange irony, however, in discovering via an anonymous database, that the thing most damaging staff wellbeing is leadership decisions.
Staff wellbeing surveys are designed to help leaders listen, which is necessary. there’s a strange irony, however, in discovering via an anonymous database, that the thing most damaging staff wellbeing is leadership decisions.
Exploring my blind spots through the Johari Window has shown me this: clarity in my head doesn’t guarantee clarity in the room, and confidence in memory isn’t shared understanding. Leadership lives in what others actually see, hear, and carry forward.
February 5, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Exploring my blind spots through the Johari Window has shown me this: clarity in my head doesn’t guarantee clarity in the room, and confidence in memory isn’t shared understanding. Leadership lives in what others actually see, hear, and carry forward.
Longer piece here if you have LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/posts/activi...
February 4, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Longer piece here if you have LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/posts/activi...
One of the best bits of leadership advice I ever got was to run a school the way I ran my classroom. Not treating adults like children, but remembering what helps people work well: clarity, trust, fewer priorities, thoughtful feedback, and leaders owning the conditions.
February 4, 2026 at 4:08 PM
One of the best bits of leadership advice I ever got was to run a school the way I ran my classroom. Not treating adults like children, but remembering what helps people work well: clarity, trust, fewer priorities, thoughtful feedback, and leaders owning the conditions.
Reposted by David
The amazing @pepsmccrea.bsky.social
posted about Educational Entropy this week - giving a name to something I've long been skirting around capturing. I'm looking forward to the series. In the meantime, here are my initial thoughts on Linkedin.
www.linkedin.com/posts/activi...
posted about Educational Entropy this week - giving a name to something I've long been skirting around capturing. I'm looking forward to the series. In the meantime, here are my initial thoughts on Linkedin.
www.linkedin.com/posts/activi...
February 3, 2026 at 7:28 PM
The amazing @pepsmccrea.bsky.social
posted about Educational Entropy this week - giving a name to something I've long been skirting around capturing. I'm looking forward to the series. In the meantime, here are my initial thoughts on Linkedin.
www.linkedin.com/posts/activi...
posted about Educational Entropy this week - giving a name to something I've long been skirting around capturing. I'm looking forward to the series. In the meantime, here are my initial thoughts on Linkedin.
www.linkedin.com/posts/activi...
The amazing @pepsmccrea.bsky.social
posted about Educational Entropy this week - giving a name to something I've long been skirting around capturing. I'm looking forward to the series. In the meantime, here are my initial thoughts on Linkedin.
www.linkedin.com/posts/activi...
posted about Educational Entropy this week - giving a name to something I've long been skirting around capturing. I'm looking forward to the series. In the meantime, here are my initial thoughts on Linkedin.
www.linkedin.com/posts/activi...
February 3, 2026 at 7:28 PM
The amazing @pepsmccrea.bsky.social
posted about Educational Entropy this week - giving a name to something I've long been skirting around capturing. I'm looking forward to the series. In the meantime, here are my initial thoughts on Linkedin.
www.linkedin.com/posts/activi...
posted about Educational Entropy this week - giving a name to something I've long been skirting around capturing. I'm looking forward to the series. In the meantime, here are my initial thoughts on Linkedin.
www.linkedin.com/posts/activi...
Good enough is when “works every day” matters more than “impresses once.”
In schools, in systems, in leadership more broadly, work is rarely perfect - but it must be trustworthy.
Sometimes the most serious leadership decision you can make is to stop refining and start serving.
In schools, in systems, in leadership more broadly, work is rarely perfect - but it must be trustworthy.
Sometimes the most serious leadership decision you can make is to stop refining and start serving.
February 2, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Good enough is when “works every day” matters more than “impresses once.”
In schools, in systems, in leadership more broadly, work is rarely perfect - but it must be trustworthy.
Sometimes the most serious leadership decision you can make is to stop refining and start serving.
In schools, in systems, in leadership more broadly, work is rarely perfect - but it must be trustworthy.
Sometimes the most serious leadership decision you can make is to stop refining and start serving.
Why Sundays don't drag me down anymore.
In short: because I'm not borrowing anxiety from a future I’ve learned I can handle.
In short: because I'm not borrowing anxiety from a future I’ve learned I can handle.
February 1, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Why Sundays don't drag me down anymore.
In short: because I'm not borrowing anxiety from a future I’ve learned I can handle.
In short: because I'm not borrowing anxiety from a future I’ve learned I can handle.
"Leadership isn’t about energising all the time - it's about regulating. Schools don’t need leaders who constantly turn the dial up."
Started a new series of posts today called February Fragments. They're basically exactly like the old posts, but with an alliterative title. The first is about school temperature - not the literal one. linkedin.com/posts/activity…
February 1, 2026 at 1:27 PM
"Leadership isn’t about energising all the time - it's about regulating. Schools don’t need leaders who constantly turn the dial up."
We've invited the in-laws around for Sunday lunch. The roast lamb is resting and the house is permeated with its scent. We've really cut back on meat consumption so we can focus on more expensive but ethical sources. I don't know if the improvement is quality or psychology.
February 1, 2026 at 1:15 PM
We've invited the in-laws around for Sunday lunch. The roast lamb is resting and the house is permeated with its scent. We've really cut back on meat consumption so we can focus on more expensive but ethical sources. I don't know if the improvement is quality or psychology.