Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Headrest @headrestuk.bsky.social · 9h

Colleagues - we are beginning to get some feedback on these pilot inspections. It is helpful for us to know how things are on the ground in order to support. Please send us any information you you have.

2

Headrest @headrestuk.bsky.social · Jun 26

Absolutely 👏👏👏

Ros McMullen @rosmcm.bsky.social · Jun 26

Calling for a ‘culture of courage’. @moremorrow.bsky.social
://schoolsweek.co.uk/mapping-the-way-out-of-educations-poly-crisis/

The Knowledge: A map out of eduction's poly-crisis

This report doesn't just call for a system based on professionalism - it models it, and shows us how to build it

schoolsweek.co.uk

1

Headrest @headrestuk.bsky.social · Jun 23

Our Team know how to enjoy themselves @rosmcm.bsky.social and @kennyfrederick.bsky.social #Shetland2025
@moonrakerteacher.bsky.social still taking calls while Ros and Kenny are getting very wet!

2 2

Headrest @headrestuk.bsky.social · May 24

This sums up the stress and the joy we listen to everyday. Thank you @keziak70.bsky.social
www.tes.com/magazine/lea...

Heads change lives - but we have to be prepared to fight

School leaders are in the privileged position of being able to help struggling families, though battles have to be won to do it, writes this co-chair of the Headteachers’ Roundtable

www.tes.com

Headrest @headrestuk.bsky.social · Mar 31

We have written to the appointments commission jointly with @headsroundtable.bsky.social opposing the peerage nomination of Amanda Spielman.

We’ve also sent a copy to No 10.

You can download our letter and send it to your MP and the commission as well.

Statement opposing Amanda Spielman's peerage

Headrest and the Headteachers' Roundtable have written jointly to the Appointments Commission opposing the Conservative Party recommendation that former HMCI Amanda Spielman be awarded a peerage. We o...

www.headrestuk.co.uk

1 5 6

Reposted by Headrest

Ros McMullen @rosmcm.bsky.social · Mar 31

The HeadteachersRoundtable and Headrest are organisations who understand. Read their joint statement
@headsroudtable.bsky.social @headrestuk.bsky.social headteachersroundtable.wordpress.com/o

headteachersroundtable.wordpress.com

2 2

Reposted by Headrest

Tes magazine @tesmagazine.bsky.social · Mar 31

The reported nomination of ex-Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman for the House of Lords is ‘inappropriate’ and ‘insensitive’, @headsroundtable.bsky.social and @headrestuk.bsky.social tell the appointments commission

Giving ex-Ofsted chief a seat in Lords ‘is inappropriate’

Headteacher groups write to the House of Lords to voice concerns over the reported nomination of former chief inspector Amanda Spielman

www.tes.com

6 6

Headrest @headrestuk.bsky.social · Mar 31

We will be issuing a joint statement with @headsroundtable.bsky.social later this afternoon.

We will also publish a letter for you to send to the House of Lords Appointment Committee and your local MP.

It will be available to download on our website blog. www.headrestuk.co.uk/blog

2 2

Headrest @headrestuk.bsky.social · Mar 29

We will publish details of the petition mentioned in this article in due course.

Anna Fazackerley @annafazack.bsky.social · Mar 29

“Obscene”. “A deliberate insult to every teacher in the country.” Fury as we reveal Tories have nominated Amanda Spielman, Ofsted’s chief when Ruth Perry killed herself after a bruising inspection, for a peerage. www.theguardian.com/education/20...

‘An insult’: Amanda Spielman, Ofsted chief at time of Ruth Perry’s suicide, to be given a peerage

The nomination by Conservatives of the former chief inspector of schools has been met with outrage by the headteacher’s family, and called ‘obscene’ by school leaders

www.theguardian.com

3 6

Reposted by Headrest

Jill Berry @jillberry102.bsky.social · Mar 19

"As a profession, we need to learn how to hold ourselves & others to account for the quality of our work, rather than having constantly to rely on outsiders." @andrewdmorrish.bsky.social & the @headrestuk.bsky.social team in www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Belie... @johncattedu.bsky.social

Beyond Belief: Why school accountability is broken and how to fix it

Buy Beyond Belief: Why school accountability is broken and how to fix it by Morrish, Andrew (ISBN: 9781036004620) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

3 1

Headrest @headrestuk.bsky.social · Mar 22

So important that all colleagues respond to this.
www.surveymonkey.com/r/LQ7KG25

The Alternative Big Consultation (ABC)

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

www.surveymonkey.com

3 1

Headrest @headrestuk.bsky.social · Feb 25

An article from our @RosMcM

www.teachingtimes.com/ofsted-dont-...

OFSTED: Don't Tinker With It, Reconfigure It - TeachingTimes

Would it be simpler and more effective to do away with OFSTED inspections altogether? Ros McMullen argues in favour of rethinking whole-school improvement.

www.teachingtimes.com

2 1

Reposted by Headrest

Andrew Morrish @andrewdmorrish.bsky.social · Feb 6

Take a look at the @headrestuk.bsky.social blog. It contains all of our annual wellbeing reports as well as posts from a range of guest bloggers all focussing on wellbeing.

Welcome to the Headwell blog

Headrest is a free wellbeing telephone support service for headteachers and CEOs. As experienced ex-heads, we understand how challenging it is right now. We provide a sympathetic and confidential list...

www.headrestuk.co.uk

6 7

Reposted by Headrest

Andrew Morrish @andrewdmorrish.bsky.social · Feb 6

If you want to explore humane and intelligent alternatives to a high stakes accountability system, then this book from @headrestuk.bsky.social is a good starting point.

Full of examples of how it could work, backed with international research, real examples and best practice.

Out now. ⤵️

Andrew Morrish @andrewdmorrish.bsky.social · Jan 27

Out this Friday.

Beyond Belief. Why school accountability is broken and how to fix it.

Not my thoughts but those of 30 or so others.

Pre-order here. 🙏🏼

amzn.eu/d/0KmhHzA

4 5

Reposted by Headrest

Ros McMullen @rosmcm.bsky.social · Feb 5

Pete telling it like it is

www.headrestuk.co.uk/blog/headtea...

Report cards: an opportunity spurned

In this second of two posts, Headrest member Pete Crockett makes clear his disappointment with Ofsted's recent proposal to introduce report cards.

www.headrestuk.co.uk

6 7

Reposted by Headrest

Andrew Morrish @andrewdmorrish.bsky.social · Feb 5

Brilliant this from fellow Headrestian and former special school head @moonrakerteacher.bsky.social.

Headrest @headrestuk.bsky.social · Feb 5

We are not happy with Ofsted. Here’s the follow-up to our response yesterday to the unworkable report card proposals.

Report cards: an opportunity spurned

In this second of two posts, Headrest member Pete Crockett makes clear his disappointment with Ofsted's recent proposal to introduce report cards.

www.headrestuk.co.uk

3 1

Headrest @headrestuk.bsky.social · Feb 5

We are not happy with Ofsted. Here’s the follow-up to our response yesterday to the unworkable report card proposals.

Report cards: an opportunity spurned

In this second of two posts, Headrest member Pete Crockett makes clear his disappointment with Ofsted's recent proposal to introduce report cards.

www.headrestuk.co.uk

6 9

Reposted by Headrest

Stella @stella-b.bsky.social · Feb 4

Excellent response. Thanks @headrestuk.bsky.social

Headrest @headrestuk.bsky.social · Feb 4

Our response to the latest Ofsted proposals.

Part 2 tomorrow.

www.headrestuk.co.uk/blog/missed-...

Missed the opportunity: making matters worse

In part one of a two-part series, Headrest feel compelled to respond to Ofsted's latest Report Card proposals. Headrest team members Ros McMullen and Julie Price-Grimshaw outline their disappointment ...

www.headrestuk.co.uk

2 5

Reposted by Headrest

Andrew Morrish @andrewdmorrish.bsky.social · Feb 4

This is brilliant from @headrestuk.bsky.social colleagues @rosmcm.bsky.social and @julespg.bsky.social.

I think it speaks on behalf of many.

Headrest @headrestuk.bsky.social · Feb 4

Our response to the latest Ofsted proposals.

Part 2 tomorrow.

www.headrestuk.co.uk/blog/missed-...

Missed the opportunity: making matters worse

In part one of a two-part series, Headrest feel compelled to respond to Ofsted's latest Report Card proposals. Headrest team members Ros McMullen and Julie Price-Grimshaw outline their disappointment ...

www.headrestuk.co.uk

1 3 3

Headrest @headrestuk.bsky.social · Feb 4

Please ensure this is spread far and wide.

Headrest @headrestuk.bsky.social · Feb 4

Our response to the latest Ofsted proposals.

Part 2 tomorrow.

www.headrestuk.co.uk/blog/missed-...

Missed the opportunity: making matters worse

In part one of a two-part series, Headrest feel compelled to respond to Ofsted's latest Report Card proposals. Headrest team members Ros McMullen and Julie Price-Grimshaw outline their disappointment ...

www.headrestuk.co.uk

3 3

Reposted by Headrest

Keziah @keziah70.bsky.social · Feb 4

Excellent blog by @headrestuk.bsky.social www.headrestuk.co.uk/blog/missed-...

Missed the opportunity: making matters worse

In part one of a two-part series, Headrest feel compelled to respond to Ofsted's latest Report Card proposals. Headrest team members Ros McMullen and Julie Price-Grimshaw outline their disappointment ...

www.headrestuk.co.uk

2 7 10

Headrest @headrestuk.bsky.social · Feb 4

Our response to the latest Ofsted proposals.

Part 2 tomorrow.

www.headrestuk.co.uk/blog/missed-...

Missed the opportunity: making matters worse

In part one of a two-part series, Headrest feel compelled to respond to Ofsted's latest Report Card proposals. Headrest team members Ros McMullen and Julie Price-Grimshaw outline their disappointment ...

www.headrestuk.co.uk

8 10

Reposted by Headrest

Andrew Morrish @andrewdmorrish.bsky.social · Feb 4

A very relevant chapter from the new book Beyond Belief by @headrestuk.bsky.social featuring @naht.org.uk and their 2018 Accountability Commission.

‘The way schools are being held to account was doing more harm than good.’

Sadly, it seems nothing will change.

Extract from chapter 20 (You bang the drums) from Beyond Belief, the new book from the team behind Headrest. It’s out now.

1 4 5

Headrest @headrestuk.bsky.social · Feb 3

Tonight our hearts go out to all affected by the tragedy in Sheffield. We are all those parents; we are all those teachers and students. Sometimes headship is an unbearable burden.

4 12

Reposted by Headrest

Ros McMullen @rosmcm.bsky.social · Feb 3

Looking at OFSTED’s ridiculous proposals (allowing them to come up with their own proposals was always going to be a car crash), I believe this is the first challenge for Bridget Phillipson: if she allows this, she loses credibility. @headsroundtable.bsky.social @headrestuk.bsky.social

1 10 10