Dr John Wm Stephens

The Pope removed his shoes in a mosque and people are outraged? That’s not compromise. That’s basic respect. If you enter someone’s home or sacred space, you honor their customs. We expect it in our churches. Why pretend not to understand it anywhere else?

I think a lot of leadership teams really don't understand the role and function of Heads of Department (HoDs). In many schools, HoDs are purely technocratic. Their job is to deal with things like timetables, set changes, data deadlines, detention systems and cover. Occasionally they venture into the realms of more "curriculum" type issues, but often these are still things like ordering textbooks, setting homework centrally, making sure there are clubs and extra-curricular activities and the like. Come summer, they project manage curriculum improvement work, which again is often bureaucratic and mostly focused around "why haven't my colleagues hit their deadlines?" Rarely is the HoD considered the driver and champion of Teaching and Learning in their subject. But that's what they should be. A true leader or teaching and curriculum, helping their colleagues develop their practice and skills in the classroom, and coordinating the team to ensure that the curriculum and resources are effective and supportive. The important bit is that a lot of leaders *tell* me that actually their HoDs do fulfil this vision. Unfortunately, as I've written before, ideality rarely matches reality, and when I speak to the HoD they tell me they have no time to go observe lessons, no autonomy over policies, no meeting time to discuss T&L, and are drowning in the implementation of other people's priorities. If you want your HoDs to be able to do this job, you need to actively make it happen, rather than just hope it does. You need to - Give them free periods to go and observe - Reduce the number of tasks they need to do that are unrelated - Allow them the autonomy they need to make disciplinary changes and developments - Ring fence meeting time for T&L and, above all, trust them!

#MusicJob The Royal School of Church Music @RSCMCentre is seeking a Project Leader: The Choir Project. buff.ly/47PFEK6

Welcome back to school! Here are our latest MusiQuest Leaderboards. MusiQuest is an exciting, online adventure you can lead in school time. It encourages listening, performing, composing, and musical vocabulary. Find out more: buff.ly/AxK77fa

@GeorgeCochrane1 Citroën DS for me today please! Thanks!

2000/2500, Triumph 2000/2500... Reserved.

Organised crime gangs are using drones to bring drugs and weapons into some of our highest security jails - leading to violence and fear. Treat jailed drug dealers like radical extremists, says prisons watchdog | Prisons and probation | The Guardian theguardian.com/society/2026/a…

2 Weeks to go until our vacancy at Elmridge Primary School closes. 🧡 Learn more about the role here: mynewterm.com/jobs/138654/ED… #WeAreBrightFutures

We're hosting an Arts Council England - Creatives Connect Event on 23 April in #Whitehaven. Join us for an evening of socialising and networking. Book your place buff.ly/NNHvoks

Windmill making this morning 🌬️ @AcreHall @BrightFuturesET

Absolutely believe in the commitment to both extend and improve the provision of high quality nutrition in schools. This has to be funded properly and invested in to ensure that quality is not achieved through cuts in other areas

When the kids find a 6 7 cloud 🫣😁 @AcreHall @BrightFuturesET

A great opportunity to join #ACEsupported @MancCamerata board ⤵️

@GeorgeCochrane1 Farina-style A40 for me today please! Thanks! (I'd also have the Triumph 2000 but the caravan on the back put me off!)

13/1501, Simca 13/1501... Reserved.

Lightoaks Park.

Thanks so much @tonydufficy for this!!

@GeorgeCochrane1 I'm happy to take the P6 off your hands (flask including) ... thanks!

Today's Caption Competition 1 - There is no prize 2 - I accept no responsibility for any/all responses 3 - Avenger, Hillman Avenger GT... RESERVED!

Last week I stayed at my grandparents revising for my GCSEs. Made a bit of time for a special duet with my Grandad! #rollingstones #wildhorses

✍️ "This is a tragedy for individuals, but also means our economy is missing out on a huge amount of potential talent." The gap in attainment between richer and poorer pupils has lifelong implications - for both individuals and society. It must be tackled ⤵️ suttontrust.com/news-opinion/a…

It’s a lovely sunny day to be out and about on First Aid duty with @stjohnambulance @SJAWorcesterASU at Kickback Bike Festival, at the Three Counties Showground.

Bright Futures Educational Trust is looking for volunteer governors and trustees. Learn more and express your interest today: 🌐 bright-futures.co.uk/join-us/govern… #WeAreBrightFutures #BrightFuturesLeadership