Author Archives: johntomsett

About johntomsett

Headteacher in York. All views are my own.

This much I know about…why now, more than ever, teachers need their headteachers to teach (if they possibly can)

Posted on September 27, 2020

I have been a teacher for 32 years, a head teacher for 17 years and, at the age of 56, this much I know about why now, more than ever, teachers need their headteachers to teach (if they possibly can). This … Continue reading →

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This much I know about…fully reopening school, why we all now need a garden and my angling addiction

Posted on September 6, 2020

I have been a teacher for 32 years, a head teacher for 17 years and, at the age of 56, this much I know about fully reopening school, why we all now need a garden and my angling addiction. It is … Continue reading →

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This much I know about…why teachers need to have interests away from work

Posted on August 2, 2020

I have been a teacher for 32 years, a head teacher for 17 years and, at the age of 56, this much I know about why teachers need to have interests away from work. I have just had my pacemaker replaced. … Continue reading →

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This much I know about…planning for “catch up” when our students return in September

Posted on July 2, 2020

I have been a teacher for 31 years, a head teacher for 16 years and, at the age of 55, this much I know about planning for “catch up” when our students return in September. There is so much catastrophising … Continue reading →

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This much I know about…providing direction for my Subject Leader colleagues for September

Posted on June 13, 2020

I have been a teacher for 31 years, a head teacher for 16 years and, at the age of 55, this much I know about providing direction for my Subject Leader colleagues for September. This is the letter I wrote … Continue reading →

Posted in General educational issues, School Leadership, Teaching and Learning | 2 Comments

This much I know about…how NOW is the time to pursue the National College of Education leadership qualifications

Posted on May 2, 2020

I have been a teacher for 31 years, a head teacher for 16 years and, at the age of 55, this much I know about…how NOW is the time to pursue the National College of Education leadership qualifications. In December … Continue reading →

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This much I know about…Elizabeth Ann Tomsett, 1936-2020

Posted on April 19, 2020

Elizabeth Ann Tomsett, 2 May 1936-18 April 2020 “God give me strength to bear that which I cannot change” Our mother, Elizabeth Ann Tomsett, was born on 2 May 1936. Her father served in the Royal Navy between the wars … Continue reading →

Posted in Other stuff | 7 Comments

Why the COVID-19 crisis requires the recall of Parliament

Posted on April 12, 2020

Important caveat: without wanting to sound remotely self-important, I need to point out that I write this simply as John Tomsett, British citizen. The only way death is not meaningless is to see yourself as part of something greater: a … Continue reading →

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This much I know about…the challenge of keeping our students socially distant in school

Posted on April 8, 2020

I have been a teacher for 31 years, a head teacher for 16 years and, at the age of 55, this much I know about the challenge of keeping our students socially distant in school. I was born two months … Continue reading →

Posted in General educational issues | 3 Comments

This much I know about…moving from Research to Outcomes (Durrington researchED)

Posted on April 4, 2020

I have been a teacher for 31 years, a head teacher for 16 years and, at the age of 55, this much I know about…moving from Research to Outcomes (Durrington researchED). Slides: