Author Archives: johntomsett

About johntomsett

Headteacher in York. All views are my own.

This much I know about…why a song speaks to my soul

Posted on July 7, 2019

I have been a teacher for 30 years, a Headteacher for 15 years and, at the age of 54, this much I know about why a song speaks to my soul. According to Seamus Heaney, when a writer’s work speaks … Continue reading →

Posted in Other stuff | Leave a comment

This much I know about…why a teacher’s job is more important than ever

Posted on June 29, 2019

I have been a teacher for 30 years, a Headteacher for 15 years and, at the age of 54, this much I know about why a teacher’s job is more important than ever. One of my favourite reads of the … Continue reading →

Posted in School Leadership | 1 Comment

This much I know about…helping students avoid making nonsensical interpretations of poems

Posted on June 17, 2019

I have been a teacher for 30 years, a Headteacher for 15 years and, at the age of 54, this much I know about helping students avoid making nonsensical interpretations of poems. One of the most frustrating misconceptions I hear … Continue reading →

Posted in Teaching and Learning | 2 Comments

This much I know about…what I am doing to make my Alastair Campbell jam jar taller

Posted on May 26, 2019

I have been a teacher for 30 years, a Headteacher for 15 years and, at the age of 54, this much I know about what I am doing to make my Alastair Campbell jam jar taller. To say I know … Continue reading →

Posted in Mental Health in Schools, Other stuff, School Leadership | 4 Comments

This much I know about…witnessing all the vulnerabilities of our health service up close, first-hand

Posted on May 18, 2019

I have been a teacher for 30 years, a Headteacher for 15 years and, at the age of 54, this much I know about witnessing all the vulnerabilities of our health service up close, first-hand.   It began with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Other stuff | 3 Comments

This much I know about…why OFSTED should stop making 1-4 judgements of schools

Posted on May 6, 2019

I have been a teacher for 30 years, a Headteacher for 15 years and, at the age of 54, this much I know about why OFSTED should stop making 1-4 judgements of schools. Cartoon by Stan Dupp “Schools with good … Continue reading →

Posted in Other stuff, School Leadership | 1 Comment

This much I know about…how to model the answer to an AQA English Language Paper Two, Question 5, 40 marker

Posted on May 4, 2019

I have been a teacher for 30 years, a Headteacher for 15 years and, at the age of 54, this much I know about how to model the answer to an AQA English Language Paper Two, Question 5, 40 marker. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Teaching and Learning | 2 Comments