The Perfect (Ofsted) School Governor


Book Description

Each of the 20,000 schools in the UK has a governing body who are an integral part of the school's major decision making processes, the results of which directly affect our children. For this reason it is essential that governors make clear and informed decisions in order to implement the best educational framework for young people. This latest addition to the hugely successful 'Perfect Series', The Perfect (Ofted) School Governor written by a seasoned professional with 17 years' of head teacher experience, aims to be the most conclusive, easy-to-read, education jargon-busting and essential guide for teachers, governors (new and old) and school boards alike. It covers everything a governor needs to be the best that they can be, including the history of the education system in England, preparation for Ofsted inspections and their impact, leadership and governance, handling complaints, a checklist for effective governor meetings; guides to interpreting data correctly and much, much more!




Improving School Governance


Book Description

This text is about governing schools. It lays out a strategic model of school governance and considers the three key roles of planning, monitoring and evaluating. Practical examples and procedures are provided, for governors to adapt.




The Perfect Ofsted School Governor


Book Description

Each of the 20,000 schools in the UK has a governing body consisting of 12 governors. These governors are an integral part of the school's major decision making processes, the results of which directly affect our children.




The Perfect (Ofsted) Inspection


Book Description

Jackie Beere, Head teacher at Campion School, Northants until 2006, is now a consultant, trainer and School Improvement Partner. She spent three years as an Advanced Skills Teacher leading and implementing innovative Teaching and Learning initiatives including KS3 and 4 Learning to Learn and Thinking Skills programmes. She was awarded the OBE in November 2002 for services to education, having trained many teachers and school leaders in the latest theory and practice of learning to learn and emotional intelligence. She introduced Learning to Learn through Opening Minds, a competency-based curriculum at her school in 2006, after a two year pilot project proved very successful. Founder and Managing Director of aptly named Independent Thinking Ltd, Ian Gilbert is the author of the bestselling Essential Motivation in the Classroom. He set up Independent Thinking Ltd to "enrich the lives of young people by changing the way they think". He has worked with thousands of young people, teachers, parents and governors both in the UK and abroad.




Independent Thinking on Restorative Practice


Book Description

In Independent Thinking on Restorative Practice: Building relationships, improving behaviour and creating stronger communities, Mark Finnis shares a practical and inspiring introduction to the use of restorative practice in educational settings. For those educators who are uncomfortable with the punitive world of zero tolerance, isolation booths and school exclusions, Mark Finnis - one of the UK's leading restorative practice experts - is here to show you that there is another way. Drawing on his many years' experience working with schools, social services and local governments across the country, Mark shares all you need to know about what restorative practice is, how it works, where to start and the many benefits of embedding a relational approach into any educational organisation that genuinely has people at its heart. Covering coaching circles and the power of doing things with (and not to) children and young people, to moving your values off lanyards and posters and into the lived experience of every member of the school community, this book sets out how restorative practice - when done well - can transform every aspect of school life. The book shares advice on how to put behaviour right when it goes wrong in a more positive, less punitive way, and, more importantly, on how to get it right and keep it right in the first place. Furthermore, it advocates an approach that is collaborative, empowering and positive - and ultimately geared to improve motivation, engagement and independent learning in even the hardest-to-reach young people. Suitable for school leaders, educators and anyone working with young people.




Independent Thinking


Book Description

Think for yourself before someone does it for you. The first in a new series by and for people who know how important it is to think for yourself. Written by Independent Thinking founder Ian Gilbert, this book is an invaluable collection of reflections, ideas and insights on the nature of learning, thinking, creativity and, drawing on Ian s experience in three continents, the role education has in changing not only people s lives but also entire societies. Combining articles published in the UK, Middle East and South America plus examples of his controversial online postings and Tweets with new observations and insights and at least 100 Twittered Thunks or Twunks this book is the informed ramblings of a passionate educationalist who has made a significant difference to classrooms for over 20 years and has earned the right to speak his mind.




Teacher in the Cupboard


Book Description

In Teacher in the Cupboard: Self-reflective, solution-focused teaching and learning, Lisa Jane Ashes takes educators on a self-reflective journey that will inspire them to challenge the 'how to', tick-box approach to teaching. Even if all the problems in your classroom have been solved by the time you read this, plenty more would surface to take their place ... And while each problem has multiple solutions, you'll need your creativity in order to find them. In this book, Lisa explores how spending time 'in the cupboard' - a metaphor for removing yourself from a situation and seeing it through a more objective lens - can help teachers come up with creative solutions to everyday challenges and positively transform their classroom practice and human interactions. Teacher in the Cupboard encompasses Lisa's many and varied observations in education - and each chapter includes real-life experiences to make you think, as well as practical techniques to help educators avoid retreating into self-blindness: a common affliction that robs them of their perception of their own contribution as part of the teaching and learning process. Brimming with fresh perspectives, the book presents a wide range of innovative ideas to enable educators to harness the power of self-reflection and create a stimulating learning environment that produces excellent results for them, their students and their colleagues. It also talks teachers through a number of methods, approaches and resources that will enable them to instil in their learners a sense of satisfaction derived from the learning skills and behaviours being developed in the classroom. These materials are collated in the 'Resource Cupboard' section at the back of the book, offering adaptable - and downloadable - resources that Lisa has used to successfully enhance learning in the classroom. Suitable for NQTs, teachers and school leaders.




Educational Research


Book Description

Educational Research by Phil Wood and Joan Smith blends together discussion of some of the main concepts and knowledge concerning educational research with some basic frameworks and approaches for completing your own projects. Research can play an important role in offering ideas and insights into educational issues, but it should always be understood and utilised through the filter of professional values and judgement. This book is suitable for those with little or no research experience: in it, the authors sketch out some of the main features and concepts in educational research, whilst also offering advice on constructing single, small-scale research projects. As such, it will allow readers to engage with some of the basic conceptual elements of research as well as offering a foundation of knowledge and application. Educational Research has two main aims: (1.) To introduce some of the basic concepts and knowledge underlying an understanding of research. This is important as research has a specialist language all of its own. To engage with and critique research we need to be able to understand how and why a piece of research has been developed in the way it has. (2.) To provide some basic frameworks for developing your own small-scale research projects. One of the best ways to deepen your understanding of research is to carry out your own! Educational Research is a comprehensive guide to practitioner research; equipping teachers with the tools to develop their research literacy and conduct their own small-scale research projects. The book covers: the foundations of good educational research, research literacy, ethical issues in educational research, managing researcher bias, critical reading and writing, an introduction to research interests, context and questions, worldviews, philosophies and methodologies of research, research methods, data capture, sampling, methods of data collection, analysing data, descriptive statistics, reliability and validity and developing small-scale research projects.




Brave Heads


Book Description

All too often now schools are under immense pressure to demonstrate outstanding practice that can be documented on paper, which can often lead to schools that are genuinely improving their teaching standards long term and investing in pupils to fall short of the government's criteria for 'success'. As the Principal of a brand new high profile academy, Dave Harris knows first-hand the frustrations of providing genuine education for children while maintaining high standards according to the guidelines set out by authorities. Dave has stuck by his principles, stating that 'it is a marathon - not a sprint' and while acknowledging the necessity for great results, has maintained a focus of providing young people with the education they deserve. The key to this, he believes, is bravery!




Independent Thinking on Primary Teaching


Book Description

Foreword by Ian Gilbert.Primary school teachers are working harder than ever, and have more and more to do in the finite time they have with their pupils, but Mark Creasy believes it doesn't need to be like this. With rare experience in both primary and secondary phases and at leadership as well as classroom levels, Mark is ideally placed to comment on what works and what doesn't - and in this book he urges teachers to recognise that there is another way.In Independent Thinking on Primary Teaching, Mark encourages teachers to stop and consider the things they do daily in the classroom and presents a series of prompts, nudges and suggestions to help them achieve the same (or even better) results by working smarter, not harder. In so doing he shares a wealth of practical and easily transferable tips for immediate use in the classroom, all designed to streamline teachers' schedules and lighten their workload while enlivening children's learning.These are in no way doctrines, or silver bullets for success, and nothing that Mark advocates requires further investment of either time or money; rather, these 'working smarter' tips are geared to win teachers their evenings and weekends back, something that many more teachers need than is healthy for the profession.Essential reading for primary school teachers.Independent Thinking on Primary Teaching is one of a number of books in the Independent Thinking On ... series from the award-winning Independent Thinking Press.