2026 Autumn Term

The know zone

  • More than a pay award
    The 2026 School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) brings many significant changes, more than we have seen in many years says Louise Hatswell. Here, she highlights what this means for schools. More
  • The road to recognition and equality
    Emma Harrison and Louise Hatswell explore the recent government publication to the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB) consultation response. More
  • Leading through change
    The role of the sixth form leader has always been one of the most complex in education and today, says Claire Green, it is becoming even more demanding. More
  • Building sustainable futures
    As financial pressures reshape the independent school sector, collaboration, creativity and a willingness to challenge conventional thinking are becoming essential to building sustainable futures says Neil Smith. More
  • Leading the way
    We invited members to share their hard-earned wisdom for anyone beginning a leadership journey, and here is what they said... More
  • Pens, policy and purpose
    Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Finance Officer (CFO) Jacqueline Straw relishes the opportunities that come with serving on ASCL Council. Here, she shares her passion for Council, leadership and pen making. More
  • Many Happy Returns
    If attendance is now a crisis of pupils simply not wanting to come to school, perhaps all we need is a better incentive. Cake, birthdays and a named minibus could surely do the trick says Carl Smith. More

We invited members to share their hard-earned wisdom for anyone beginning a leadership journey, and here is what they said...

Leading the way

Three is the magic number 

My advice is as follows: Always share things in threes.
I am also going to tell you three things. Here they are (as Geoff Barton, former ASCL general secretary, would say).

  1. As a leader, you wear the backpack, and people will do their best to fill your backpack.
    Delegate. Make sure you know how to avoid overfilling your backpack and pass things on.
  2. Address concerns with staff sooner rather than later.
    Early action is almost always easier and more effective.
  3. And one more for luck: smile. It changes everything.

Leadership can be the best and worst of jobs at times, but I am still here, in my third headship, and I love it.

Louisa Paston
Principal, Luminous Oak Academy, part of the Solent Academies Trust in Portsmouth 


Patience is a virtue 

Be patient with yourself (as much as you will be with others). Great leadership is a long game. If you are looking for real sustainable school improvement you will need time to work out your strategy and design a plan for implementation before you can start the hard work. Everything needs to be done in collaboration and that takes time.

Josephine Smith
Executive Headteacher, Kesteven and Sleaford High School and Carre’s Grammar School in Lincolnshire 


Learn and grow 

As you begin your leadership journey, remember that leadership is not about having all the answers; it is about being willing to learn and grow alongside others. A leader who influenced me greatly once said, “We are all leaders, we are all learners”, and I have carried those words with me ever since.

Everyone in a school community leads in some way – whether leading themselves or creating the conditions for others to thrive.
Everyone is a learner. Never lose sight of your own learning journey. Stay curious, embrace challenge, listen carefully, and allow others to help you grow.

Helen Wakefield
Senior Deputy Headteacher, Ashby School, part of the LiFE Multi-Academy Trust in Leicestershire 


Look and learn 

I am now retired from education, but over the years I worked as a school leader and later supported many ASCL members in my roles as a regional officer, funding specialist, and consultant. Of those members I supported, some found themselves in particularly challenging situations. If I was to encapsulate what I still feel is the best advice one could pass on to a new school, college or trust leader, it would be this: aim to do the simple things well and be humble enough to devote some time to the strategy of ‘look and learn’.

Sam Ellis
Retired school leader and former ASCL officer and funding specialist 


Close to heart 

In a world of educational leadership where it can sometimes feel that you are always ‘on call’ and people are always demanding more from you, I feel it is important to keep the following things close to heart: 

  • Visibility and informal connections are paramount – particularly with colleagues whom you tend to work with less.
  • Smile and laugh as much as you are able – as a leader your positive energy impacts more people than you realise, but remember, the opposite is true also.
  • Try not to be everything to everyone – it is not desirable nor possible.

Gareth Burton
Principal, Chipping Campden School in Gloucestershire

LEADING READING