Vicki Jackson

@melaniemay04 @IGovS1 @jmrodden @5Naureen @Aizenay95 @9000lives_org @BullerSamantha @BarkerLeadershp @janeedminson Where would I even start lol

"Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean." — Ryunosuke Satoro How would you describe the difference a Governing Board can make? #BigQuestions @IGovS1 @jmrodden @5Naureen @Aizenay95 @9000lives_org @BullerSamantha @Vickisticks @BarkerLeadershp @janeedminson

@melaniemay04 @jmrodden @IGovS1 @5Naureen @Aizenay95 @9000lives_org @BullerSamantha @BTtB_Rebecca @BarkerLeadershp I try to make everyone feel valued. No hierarchy in my role as Chair.. I value everyone's knowledge and roles and expertise. I will often play myself down. Im just the daft one saying yes to being Chair lol

@jmrodden @IGovS1 @5Naureen @Aizenay95 @9000lives_org @BullerSamantha @Vickisticks @BTtB_Rebecca @BarkerLeadershp The preparation ahead of meetings plus great chairing is so important!

None of us is as smart as all of us." Ken Blanchard How do we ensure all those around the table are able to share their knowledge and feel valued? #BigQuestions @IGovS1 @jmrodden @5Naureen @Aizenay95 @9000lives_org @BullerSamantha @Vickisticks @BTtB_Rebecca @BarkerLeadershp

@SusanCalman @KathrynFlanaga2 This is our new baby - Mavis. She was found at 3 days old in a plastic bag on someone's doorstep so now she gets extra spoilt. She may have a cute face but she also wakes up and chooses violence most mornings. Girl from the street comes with that attitude bless her.

Susan's #CatOfTheDay is Lily. Thank you @KathrynFlanaga2 for sharing this pic! #CatsInChristmasTrees

@melaniemay04 @IGovS1 @jmrodden @lisajaneSmith1 @BTtB_Rebecca @5Naureen @9000lives_org @Aizenay95 @BarkerLeadershp @BullerSamantha @janeedminson I just know now to avoid my welfare meetings with the boss. Lol x

@Vickisticks @IGovS1 @jmrodden @lisajaneSmith1 @BTtB_Rebecca @5Naureen @9000lives_org @Aizenay95 @BarkerLeadershp @BullerSamantha @janeedminson Oh no, @Vickisticks, i don't like this - am here if you need a chat!

"Grief is in two parts. The first is loss. The second is the remaking of life." Anne Roiphe As #GriefAwarenessWeek starts, how do our schools support those who experience loss? #BigQuestions @IGovS1 @jmrodden @lisajaneSmith1 @BTtB_Rebecca @Vickisticks

@melaniemay04 @IGovS1 @jmrodden @5Naureen @9000lives_org @Aizenay95 @AlRicNLG @BarkerLeadershp @BullerSamantha @janeedminson @neilayates @UKGovChat @WirralGov Im always grateful for this safe environment to ask the silly questions that I darnt ask

"If a man can bridge the gap between life and death, if he can live on after he's dead, then maybe he was a great man." James Dean As #griefawarenessweek2025 comes to an end, we remember Alan Richards & the legacy he left ❤️💔 #BigQuestions @IGovS1 @jmrodden @Vickisticks

@Aizenay95 @melaniemay04 @IGovS1 @jmrodden @lisajaneSmith1 @BTtB_Rebecca @5Naureen @9000lives_org @BarkerLeadershp @BullerSamantha @janeedminson Hi. Thank you. We lost a member of staff through v.tragic circumstances and just previous to that an incident in the community.

@Aizenay95 @melaniemay04 @IGovS1 @jmrodden @lisajaneSmith1 @BTtB_Rebecca @5Naureen @9000lives_org @BarkerLeadershp @BullerSamantha @janeedminson We have recently gone through this but we couldn't find a policy in this or i don't think it covered on what we needed it to

@melaniemay04 @IGovS1 @5Naureen @9000lives_org @Aizenay95 @jmrodden @BarkerLeadershp @BTtB_Rebecca @BullerSamantha @janeedminson With their listening ears turned on.

"Just the act of listening means more than you can imagine to most employees." Bob Nelson How should Governors be listening? #BigQuestions @IGovS1 @5Naureen @9000lives_org @Aizenay95 @jmrodden @BarkerLeadershp @BTtB_Rebecca @BullerSamantha @janeedminson @Vickisticks

@melaniemay04 @BarkerLeadershp @IGovS1 @5Naureen @jmrodden @Aizenay95 @BullerSamantha @9000lives_org @BlackwoodRJ @janeedminson Don't know what your talking about lol

@BarkerLeadershp @IGovS1 @5Naureen @jmrodden @Aizenay95 @BullerSamantha @9000lives_org @BlackwoodRJ @janeedminson @Vickisticks And so true for the Governance Professional or Chair...how often do we hear that from them?!!?

"The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't said." Peter Drucker How do we use our skills to hear the unspoken? #BigQuestions @IGovS1 @5Naureen @jmrodden @Aizenay95 @BullerSamantha @9000lives_org @BlackwoodRJ @BarkerLeadershp @janeedminson @Vickisticks

@jmrodden @neilayates @melaniemay04 @IGovS1 @5Naureen @BullerSamantha @Aizenay95 @9000lives_org @BlackwoodRJ @NAGASnews @lisajaneSmith1 My daughters high school headteacher told her not to go into a career that she had picked to do because there is no money in it. Surely there is more to careers advice than salary.

@neilayates @melaniemay04 @IGovS1 @5Naureen @BullerSamantha @Aizenay95 @9000lives_org @Vickisticks @BlackwoodRJ @NAGASnews @lisajaneSmith1 Yes, schools often talk about X% securing their first choice university not their first choice of next step after A levels which could drive wider thinking among staff for the benefit of students.

"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door." Milton Berle  What is a GB's role in creating careers opportunities? #BigQuestions @IGovS1 @jmrodden @5Naureen @BullerSamantha @Aizenay95 @9000lives_org @Vickisticks @BlackwoodRJ @NAGASnews @lisajaneSmith1 @neilayates

@5Naureen @BlackwoodRJ @IGovS1 @WirralGov @9000lives_org @melaniemay04 @neilayates @Aizenay95 @BullerSamantha @UKGovChat @jmrodden @janeedminson @lisajaneSmith1 Thats what i do to and speak to teacher through school office or the app.

@Vickisticks @BlackwoodRJ @IGovS1 @WirralGov @9000lives_org @melaniemay04 @neilayates @Aizenay95 @BullerSamantha @UKGovChat @jmrodden @janeedminson @lisajaneSmith1 When I had to write to school about my child I made sure I used my personal email and started off with I’m writing to you as mum of X.

“Take off your mask so the world can see there’s nothing to fear.” Michael Neill When you walk into the boardroom, which parts of yourself do you leave at the door? Turning the mirror inwards for #bigquestions this week

@5Naureen @BlackwoodRJ @IGovS1 @WirralGov @9000lives_org @melaniemay04 @neilayates @Aizenay95 @BullerSamantha @UKGovChat @jmrodden @janeedminson @lisajaneSmith1 I leave my parents hat at the school gate. So I have two separate roles. I think when parent hat on that also gives the teacher piece of mind that when im speaking to them im discussing my child and not expecting a full Governing answer

@BlackwoodRJ @IGovS1 @WirralGov @9000lives_org @melaniemay04 @neilayates @Aizenay95 @BullerSamantha @UKGovChat @jmrodden @janeedminson @Vickisticks @lisajaneSmith1 A very important question! When I had a child at school, I used to leave my parent hat outside. Coming from a teaching background I also leave that outside so I don’t look at the info/discussion throwing my own teacher lens.

@jmrodden @IGovS1 @WirralGov @9000lives_org @melaniemay04 @neilayates @Aizenay95 @BullerSamantha @UKGovChat @5Naureen Just do what I did and have a devastating news in the same week and it all just seems easier to cope with lol

"If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance" George B Shaw How do we manage the emotions surrounding an Ofsted inspection? #BigQuestions @IGovS1 @WirralGov @9000lives_org @melaniemay04 @neilayates @Aizenay95 @BullerSamantha @UKGovChat @5Naureen

@melaniemay04 @BlackwoodRJ @5Naureen @jmrodden @IGovS1 @WirralGov @9000lives_org @HoyleRosemary @neilayates @Aizenay95 @UKGovChat Don't rush into any decisions. Take ur time for all sides and find correct evidence

@BlackwoodRJ @5Naureen @jmrodden @IGovS1 @WirralGov @9000lives_org @HoyleRosemary @neilayates @Aizenay95 @Vickisticks @UKGovChat Love this type of pondering...one to discuss over our coffee and cake!!!

“Quick decisions are unsafe decisions.” Sophocles How do boards ensure that the decisions they take are safe? #BigQuestions @jmrodden @IGovS1 @WirralGov @9000lives_org @HoyleRosemary @melaniemay04 @neilayates @Aizenay95 @Vickisticks @UKGovChat

@melaniemay04 @IGovS1 @5Naureen @jmrodden @BullerSamantha @Aizenay95 @9000lives_org @BlackwoodRJ @lisajaneSmith1 Hopefully by creating that link and being seen. This in turn showing support to staff. I know we are the critical friend but showing compassion at times of need have made our board more approachable to all

"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what difference you want to make" - Jane Goodall How does our Governance make a difference? #BigQuestions @IGovS1 @5Naureen @jmrodden @BullerSamantha @Aizenay95 @9000lives_org @Vickisticks @BlackwoodRJ @lisajaneSmith1

@melaniemay04 @IGovS1 @jmrodden @BullerSamantha @5Naureen @9000lives_org @Aizenay95 @BlackwoodRJ Remembering how far you've come on your journey and looking forward to where you are now. Im trying to develop myself this year too

"Optimism can be relearnt." - Marian Keyes Education can seem a tough environment in a world going mad - how do we relearn optimism to strengthen strategic planning? #BigQuestions @IGovS1 @jmrodden @BullerSamantha @5Naureen @9000lives_org @Aizenay95 @Vickisticks @BlackwoodRJ

@melaniemay04 @jmrodden @BullerSamantha @5Naureen @Aizenay95 @9000lives_org @IGovS1 @BlackwoodRJ @lisajaneSmith1 There is that much on my to do list, I can't add anything else lol

"We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own 'to do' list." - Michelle Obama How do you ensure your place on the to do list? #BigQuestions @jmrodden @BullerSamantha @5Naureen @Aizenay95 @9000lives_org @IGovS1 @Vickisticks @BlackwoodRJ @lisajaneSmith1

@9000lives_org Balance.....whats balance lol. Im either at work or school lol

How do you foster a good balance between school and home? What tips do you have to minimise what isn't needed? #BIGQuestions #UKGovChat

@9000lives_org @Aizenay95 @5Naureen @melaniemay04 @jmrodden Thank you. It was a tough day. But staff and children were amazing x

@Aizenay95 @Vickisticks @5Naureen @melaniemay04 @jmrodden I'd ditto that. We've not met Vicki, but if I can help, please do reach out. You are not alone.

Just had to go through one of the toughest challenges as a COG today (and I thought I'd gone through most things). Wow. Didn't know how to help other than just be there. Heartbroken @5Naureen @melaniemay04 @jmrodden @Aizenay95