Stories of School Leadership The Blog

What is supervision - let's demystify the beast!

12/01/2024

There’s growing conversation about the concept of supervision in education, but despite being statutory since 2012, it’s still not embedded in the culture and practise of many schools and childcare settings, if fact it's not even happening everywhere. I've had many conversations with leaders and practitioners during this term and several have asked what I mean when I talk about supervision. Many Headteachers and Leaders in schools are unaware that supervision is a statutory requirement for all staff working with children in the Early Years (meaning birth to aged 5). No judgement here, there is so much that leaders need to keep on top off, and the requirements which are 'statutory' just keep growing. But, if you've been interested to get this far, and explore supervision, then well done! Hopefully this short blog will help to define the concept of supervision in Education and Childcare for you.

Why did you leave Headship?

24/11/2023

Why did you leave? It’s a valid question, one people ask me when I say I’ve just left my position, one I have asked myself so many times over the past 8 months since handing in my notice. The questions I have asked myself are more loaded; why are you leaving? Is followed by: Why can’t you do it? Why are you failing? Why is it so hard? What else can you do? And then the judgement of myself; But you’ve done it before You should be able to do it It should be manageable Other people can do it, why can’t you? This is your third headship, you should have it sorted And so on! When other people ask me why I left, I usually play it down, saying something like ‘It was really tough and I wanted to try something else,’ or, if I’m feeling dramatic, I say ‘It was ruining my life and I decided life’s too short to be miserable!’ Both are true but there’s so much more to it.