Rebecca Blackwood - Hands On Thinking
@rebeccablackwood.bsky.social
Helping headteachers transform their relationship with their governing board from a source of stress into their greatest strategic asset | 1:1 and team coaching for school leaders and boards
www.handsonthinking.co.uk
www.handsonthinking.co.uk
Sometimes we drown not because there’s too much noise, but because we choose to listen.
Step back.
Say no.
Leap.
Trust that the net will appear.
#headteachers #leadership #edusky #schoolleaders
Step back.
Say no.
Leap.
Trust that the net will appear.
#headteachers #leadership #edusky #schoolleaders
May 27, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Sometimes we drown not because there’s too much noise, but because we choose to listen.
Step back.
Say no.
Leap.
Trust that the net will appear.
#headteachers #leadership #edusky #schoolleaders
Step back.
Say no.
Leap.
Trust that the net will appear.
#headteachers #leadership #edusky #schoolleaders
Whatever's happening in the #boardroom echoes throughout the #school.
#Governance shapes the tone. And the tone travels.
www.linkedin.com/posts/handso...
#headteachers #leadership #SchoolImprovement #edutwitter #governors #schoolgovernors #LeadershipDevelopment
#Governance shapes the tone. And the tone travels.
www.linkedin.com/posts/handso...
#headteachers #leadership #SchoolImprovement #edutwitter #governors #schoolgovernors #LeadershipDevelopment
The Hidden Force: Hands On Thinking | Rebecca Blackwood
The most overlooked relationship in school leadership?
The one between a headteacher and their board.
I've spoken with too many heads who've been ready to quit.
Not because they’d lost th...
www.linkedin.com
April 20, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Whatever's happening in the #boardroom echoes throughout the #school.
#Governance shapes the tone. And the tone travels.
www.linkedin.com/posts/handso...
#headteachers #leadership #SchoolImprovement #edutwitter #governors #schoolgovernors #LeadershipDevelopment
#Governance shapes the tone. And the tone travels.
www.linkedin.com/posts/handso...
#headteachers #leadership #SchoolImprovement #edutwitter #governors #schoolgovernors #LeadershipDevelopment
Stop pretending you can outrun reality.
The truth will always find you.
And when it does, you’ll wish you had confronted it sooner.
Make it your currency, no matter how uncomfortable.
What truth is your board avoiding? What’s it costing you?
#uked #ukedgovs #edusky #leadership #governance
The truth will always find you.
And when it does, you’ll wish you had confronted it sooner.
Make it your currency, no matter how uncomfortable.
What truth is your board avoiding? What’s it costing you?
#uked #ukedgovs #edusky #leadership #governance
March 30, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Stop pretending you can outrun reality.
The truth will always find you.
And when it does, you’ll wish you had confronted it sooner.
Make it your currency, no matter how uncomfortable.
What truth is your board avoiding? What’s it costing you?
#uked #ukedgovs #edusky #leadership #governance
The truth will always find you.
And when it does, you’ll wish you had confronted it sooner.
Make it your currency, no matter how uncomfortable.
What truth is your board avoiding? What’s it costing you?
#uked #ukedgovs #edusky #leadership #governance
Strong #governance sometimes feels uncomfortable.
If your board never makes you squirm, never makes you reconsider your assumptions, never pushes you to justify your decisions - it's not doing its job.
#uked #ukedgovs #headteachers #governors #leadership
If your board never makes you squirm, never makes you reconsider your assumptions, never pushes you to justify your decisions - it's not doing its job.
#uked #ukedgovs #headteachers #governors #leadership
March 29, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Strong #governance sometimes feels uncomfortable.
If your board never makes you squirm, never makes you reconsider your assumptions, never pushes you to justify your decisions - it's not doing its job.
#uked #ukedgovs #headteachers #governors #leadership
If your board never makes you squirm, never makes you reconsider your assumptions, never pushes you to justify your decisions - it's not doing its job.
#uked #ukedgovs #headteachers #governors #leadership
Hey, Superman...
Stop -
🚫 Swooping in with all the answers
🚫 Solving everything on your own
🚫 Shielding your board from the real challenges
You don't need to fly in to save the day.
#Governance is meant to carry the weight with you.
Drop the cape... 😉
#leadership #uked #ukedgovs #headteachers
Stop -
🚫 Swooping in with all the answers
🚫 Solving everything on your own
🚫 Shielding your board from the real challenges
You don't need to fly in to save the day.
#Governance is meant to carry the weight with you.
Drop the cape... 😉
#leadership #uked #ukedgovs #headteachers
March 21, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Hey, Superman...
Stop -
🚫 Swooping in with all the answers
🚫 Solving everything on your own
🚫 Shielding your board from the real challenges
You don't need to fly in to save the day.
#Governance is meant to carry the weight with you.
Drop the cape... 😉
#leadership #uked #ukedgovs #headteachers
Stop -
🚫 Swooping in with all the answers
🚫 Solving everything on your own
🚫 Shielding your board from the real challenges
You don't need to fly in to save the day.
#Governance is meant to carry the weight with you.
Drop the cape... 😉
#leadership #uked #ukedgovs #headteachers
Reposted by Rebecca Blackwood - Hands On Thinking
There are some great questions in this article that we governors could use when discussing our school's CPD strategy with leaders #UKEdGovs #Governance
www.researchtoclassroom.com/post/the-pow...
www.researchtoclassroom.com/post/the-pow...
The Powerfully Informal
Are we missing out on effective CPD by focusing on more formalised methods of transmitting information?
www.researchtoclassroom.com
March 8, 2025 at 7:27 AM
There are some great questions in this article that we governors could use when discussing our school's CPD strategy with leaders #UKEdGovs #Governance
www.researchtoclassroom.com/post/the-pow...
www.researchtoclassroom.com/post/the-pow...
As governors, one of our greatest gifts is noticing the everyday magic in our schools and reflecting it back to our communities.
When we celebrate what works, we create more of it. 🌟
#leadership #governance #uked #edusky #ukedgovs #SchoolGovernance
When we celebrate what works, we create more of it. 🌟
#leadership #governance #uked #edusky #ukedgovs #SchoolGovernance
January 22, 2025 at 6:41 AM
As governors, one of our greatest gifts is noticing the everyday magic in our schools and reflecting it back to our communities.
When we celebrate what works, we create more of it. 🌟
#leadership #governance #uked #edusky #ukedgovs #SchoolGovernance
When we celebrate what works, we create more of it. 🌟
#leadership #governance #uked #edusky #ukedgovs #SchoolGovernance
Fear says, "Protect what you have."
Courage asks, "What could you gain?"
One keeps you safe.
The other makes you unstoppable.
#leadership #governance #uked #ukedgovs #edusky
Courage asks, "What could you gain?"
One keeps you safe.
The other makes you unstoppable.
#leadership #governance #uked #ukedgovs #edusky
January 21, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Fear says, "Protect what you have."
Courage asks, "What could you gain?"
One keeps you safe.
The other makes you unstoppable.
#leadership #governance #uked #ukedgovs #edusky
Courage asks, "What could you gain?"
One keeps you safe.
The other makes you unstoppable.
#leadership #governance #uked #ukedgovs #edusky
Good governance cannot be reduced to staying in lanes.
#governance #leadership #governors #schoolgovernors #edusky #uked #ukedgovs #education
#governance #leadership #governors #schoolgovernors #edusky #uked #ukedgovs #education
January 19, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Good governance cannot be reduced to staying in lanes.
#governance #leadership #governors #schoolgovernors #edusky #uked #ukedgovs #education
#governance #leadership #governors #schoolgovernors #edusky #uked #ukedgovs #education
Reposted by Rebecca Blackwood - Hands On Thinking
I've reached about 50% of my target participants - please help me by sparing 10 mins to complete this anonymous survey - please lend your voice to my doctoral research (English state school system) #UkEd #UKEdGovs #Headteachers #Edusky
Are you the Executive Leader of a MAT, SAT or maintained school/federation? I especially want to hear from you for my doctoral research into the relationship between the chair and the executive leader. Please spare me 10 mins and follow the link app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/lincoln/a-...
January 18, 2025 at 6:40 AM
I've reached about 50% of my target participants - please help me by sparing 10 mins to complete this anonymous survey - please lend your voice to my doctoral research (English state school system) #UkEd #UKEdGovs #Headteachers #Edusky
Extraordinary #governance isn't built on carefully managed updates
It's built on the foundation of absolute trust and total transparency.
#leadership #governors #edusky #uked #ukedgovs
It's built on the foundation of absolute trust and total transparency.
#leadership #governors #edusky #uked #ukedgovs
January 18, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Extraordinary #governance isn't built on carefully managed updates
It's built on the foundation of absolute trust and total transparency.
#leadership #governors #edusky #uked #ukedgovs
It's built on the foundation of absolute trust and total transparency.
#leadership #governors #edusky #uked #ukedgovs
#Governors can sit through countless meetings, look at endless data, but the moments they'll truly understand what your #school needs will be when they are in there, seeing the daily reality.
#governance #leadership #edusky #uked #ukedgovs
#governance #leadership #edusky #uked #ukedgovs
January 17, 2025 at 6:31 AM
#Governors can sit through countless meetings, look at endless data, but the moments they'll truly understand what your #school needs will be when they are in there, seeing the daily reality.
#governance #leadership #edusky #uked #ukedgovs
#governance #leadership #edusky #uked #ukedgovs
January 16, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Well, over the last couple of days/nights (mostly between 2-3am...) I have written a poem. Who knew...
So I'm being brave and posting it on here. A few random reflections on being a chair of governors.
Be kind ❤️
#governance #leadership #uked #edusky #ukedgovs
So I'm being brave and posting it on here. A few random reflections on being a chair of governors.
Be kind ❤️
#governance #leadership #uked #edusky #ukedgovs
January 15, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Well, over the last couple of days/nights (mostly between 2-3am...) I have written a poem. Who knew...
So I'm being brave and posting it on here. A few random reflections on being a chair of governors.
Be kind ❤️
#governance #leadership #uked #edusky #ukedgovs
So I'm being brave and posting it on here. A few random reflections on being a chair of governors.
Be kind ❤️
#governance #leadership #uked #edusky #ukedgovs
What question are you not asking right now?
What truth are you avoiding?
What conversation are you afraid to have?
Your #questions are the architects of your future.
#leadership #governance #ukedgovs #edusky #eduskyprimary #uked
What truth are you avoiding?
What conversation are you afraid to have?
Your #questions are the architects of your future.
#leadership #governance #ukedgovs #edusky #eduskyprimary #uked
January 12, 2025 at 7:30 PM
What question are you not asking right now?
What truth are you avoiding?
What conversation are you afraid to have?
Your #questions are the architects of your future.
#leadership #governance #ukedgovs #edusky #eduskyprimary #uked
What truth are you avoiding?
What conversation are you afraid to have?
Your #questions are the architects of your future.
#leadership #governance #ukedgovs #edusky #eduskyprimary #uked
Your reality is shaped by the questions you dare to ask and the ones you dare not.
#leadership #governance #ukedgovs #edusky #uked
#leadership #governance #ukedgovs #edusky #uked
January 10, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Your reality is shaped by the questions you dare to ask and the ones you dare not.
#leadership #governance #ukedgovs #edusky #uked
#leadership #governance #ukedgovs #edusky #uked
Reposted by Rebecca Blackwood - Hands On Thinking
Call for Participants - can you help? Governing Board Chairs/Headteachers/CEOs for doctoral study focus 'An exploration of the relationship between the chair & the executive leader in the English state school system.' Detail on image #UKEd #UKEdGovs LINK app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/lincoln/a-...
January 9, 2025 at 6:28 AM
Call for Participants - can you help? Governing Board Chairs/Headteachers/CEOs for doctoral study focus 'An exploration of the relationship between the chair & the executive leader in the English state school system.' Detail on image #UKEd #UKEdGovs LINK app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/lincoln/a-...
Reposted by Rebecca Blackwood - Hands On Thinking
One of the most beautiful things in life is the expression that comes over lots of elderly people when they see a small child.
January 10, 2025 at 10:09 AM
One of the most beautiful things in life is the expression that comes over lots of elderly people when they see a small child.
That stirring inside when a new term approaches.
That mixture of anticipation and possibility that sits in your chest.
A reminder that we're part of something extraordinary.
And yes, that should make us feel something.
Always.
#governance #leadership #ukedgovs #edusky #uked
That mixture of anticipation and possibility that sits in your chest.
A reminder that we're part of something extraordinary.
And yes, that should make us feel something.
Always.
#governance #leadership #ukedgovs #edusky #uked
January 5, 2025 at 8:20 PM
That stirring inside when a new term approaches.
That mixture of anticipation and possibility that sits in your chest.
A reminder that we're part of something extraordinary.
And yes, that should make us feel something.
Always.
#governance #leadership #ukedgovs #edusky #uked
That mixture of anticipation and possibility that sits in your chest.
A reminder that we're part of something extraordinary.
And yes, that should make us feel something.
Always.
#governance #leadership #ukedgovs #edusky #uked
The best #governors I've met are not the ones with the sharpest critical eye.
They're the ones with the courage to see possibility where others see problems.
#edusky #ukedgovs #governance #uked #eduskyprimary #leadership #schoolgovernance
They're the ones with the courage to see possibility where others see problems.
#edusky #ukedgovs #governance #uked #eduskyprimary #leadership #schoolgovernance
January 4, 2025 at 7:58 PM
The best #governors I've met are not the ones with the sharpest critical eye.
They're the ones with the courage to see possibility where others see problems.
#edusky #ukedgovs #governance #uked #eduskyprimary #leadership #schoolgovernance
They're the ones with the courage to see possibility where others see problems.
#edusky #ukedgovs #governance #uked #eduskyprimary #leadership #schoolgovernance
Reposted by Rebecca Blackwood - Hands On Thinking
We’re restarting our bi-weekly coffee and careers mornings!
Come along to Starbucks in Lincoln, Sunday 11-12 from the 22nd September.
All welcome!
Come along to Starbucks in Lincoln, Sunday 11-12 from the 22nd September.
All welcome!
September 8, 2024 at 7:06 PM
We’re restarting our bi-weekly coffee and careers mornings!
Come along to Starbucks in Lincoln, Sunday 11-12 from the 22nd September.
All welcome!
Come along to Starbucks in Lincoln, Sunday 11-12 from the 22nd September.
All welcome!
Reposted by Rebecca Blackwood - Hands On Thinking
Hello - I wrote a new blog about the teaching of whole class reading, which I haven't in a while. It's over 9000 words so quite a read, but I hope the comprehensive nature of it comes across as helpful, rather than patronising. Anyway - hope it's useful!
mrboothy6.wordpress.com/2025/01/03/w...
mrboothy6.wordpress.com/2025/01/03/w...
Whole Class Reading 2025
Hello – it’s been a few years since I wrote about the teaching of whole class reading, and I figured I would do it again, as it’s generally the thing I am asked about the most – plus in…
mrboothy6.wordpress.com
January 3, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Hello - I wrote a new blog about the teaching of whole class reading, which I haven't in a while. It's over 9000 words so quite a read, but I hope the comprehensive nature of it comes across as helpful, rather than patronising. Anyway - hope it's useful!
mrboothy6.wordpress.com/2025/01/03/w...
mrboothy6.wordpress.com/2025/01/03/w...
Reposted by Rebecca Blackwood - Hands On Thinking
