Jen Willis

BRAND NEW BLOG! Explicit vocabulary teaching for depth of understanding. Huge nods to @Mr_P_hillips @vocabularyninja perpetuallylearningsite.wordpress.com/2018/03/31/dig…

We're delighted to receive an email from the Secretary of state for Education yesterday, congratulating us for our outcomes - especially those for disadvantaged learners. A huge well done to all of our school family for their consistent effort and hard work. We're proud of you!

I cried in our staff meeting tonight. Not for attention. Not to make a point (and I'm not doing that on here). But because I finally said out loud what so many of us are feeling - that this is the toughest time in education I’ve ever known and I need my colleagues’ help to get through it (so I can keep helping them too). I love my job, our community and the people I work with. I'm lucky because I really do. But the intense pressure and relentlessness… the growing SEN needs… the feisty world we live in... the funding cuts that force us to dismantle the very things we all know make a difference - it all takes its toll. It hurts. It keeps you awake at night. After 15 years as a head in two very different places, I’ve never felt pressure like this. I want to do more for our families, more for the children who need us most, more to support my brilliant colleagues who are running on empty. Their tears break me and I’m running out of wise words and clever solutions - and we’re not even in the Ofsted window yet. The daft thing? School is in a great place. We’re playing like we’re pushing for a Champions League spot while living in a relegation battle. It’s confusing and so bloody exhausting. So yes, I cried. And I’m glad I did. Because my colleagues were there for me - and vulnerability brought us closer and made me feel stronger, not weaker. If you’re feeling it too, please talk to someone at school. Make space for each other. Create safety. Create belonging. Make it deliberate. Things will improve. They have to. Until then, let’s be kind - to ourselves and to each other.

What a weekend!! U18 National champ (Slow) & a cheeky 2nd in fast solo! #proudmum @TheIDTA

My new blog today: on starting in a new leadership role (as a Middle Leader, Senior Leader, or head). Hope it's helpful. Please share with those you know who are facing the challenge, & the opportunities & experiences it will bring, this autumn? Thanks. jillberry102.blog/2025/08/1/7/st…

@PieCorbett @moses_brian Giant unicorns? Unicorn by day/ goblin by night? Elves that train & raise unicorns?

Primary Teachers and parents - I’m writing something and need to know - what might be most appealing to primary children as a subject - giants or elves or goblins or unicorns?

Children from across our Catholic primary and High schools in Bolton have come together to share the #Jubliee message of HOPE. What talent our children have! This will be displayed at the @Market_PlaceSC until the middle of August. @SalfordDiocese @CaritasSalford @RCSalfordEd

Super proud of this one today: Manager's player of the season. 🏆💪🥰

KS2 class teacher needed in Bolton- brilliant children and a supportive staff team. Come and join us!

Sunday means Dance comp!

@Headteacherchat How about conversations about equity between large schools and small schools including budgets (both TLR & Leadership scale) available? Number of subjects each T manages? Teaching load of SLT? Capacity of staff to run clubs, pupil groups etc?

Anonymous Post – Looking for Advice Our MAT has been focusing heavily on equity lately, which has sparked some important conversations. I’m wondering—where might inequities exist across phases, particularly between primary and secondary?

Pope Francis has died. Sorrow at the passing of this great prophetic shepherd, and joy that he is now with his Lord, his work done, his race ended. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. #PopeFrancis

Always on- point.

Nodded my head in agreement throughout this blog. It is about time we accepted that we need a completely different approach. Revolution not evolution. Thanks for writing it. ⁦@Southgloshead⁩ We need to talk about SEND. southgloshead.wordpress.com/2025/01/04/we-…

We're ready for tomorrow and looking forward to seeing you all! Huge thanks to all the staff that have cleared and gritted this afternoon! #littlethings

Hapy New Year!

Here's a little something to make you smile! St T's Step into Christmas! canva.com/design/DAGZ2Mj…

She should have warned me about the leap! 🙈😅🤩

Another successful weekend at #IDTA #nationals - first time in 16-18 yrs! #proud #dancemum