Author Archives: johntomsett

About johntomsett

Headteacher in York. All views are my own.

This much I know about…why, more surely than ever, I think it is essential for school leaders to teach

Posted on September 9, 2017

I have been a teacher for 29 years, a Headteacher for 14 years and, at the age of 53, this much I know about why, more surely than ever, I think it is essential for school leaders to teach. What … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

This much I know about…the folly of valuing effort over outcomes

Posted on August 31, 2017

I have been a teacher for 29 years, a Headteacher for 14 years and, at the age of 53, this much I know about the folly of valuing effort over outcomes. What do we value most in teachers, effort or … Continue reading →

Posted in School Leadership, Teaching and Learning | 6 Comments

This much I know about…a eulogy for my sister on her 60th birthday

Posted on August 23, 2017

Beverley Ann Refoy, 23 August 1957 – 5 July 2017 “Bev” was the first word I ever said. Bev was six when I was born and I must have been an absolute gift to my big sister. Imagine it. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Other stuff | 4 Comments

This much I know about…writing, the limits of language and catching a sea trout

Posted on August 21, 2017

I have been a teacher for 29 years, a Headteacher for 14 years and, at the age of 53, this much I know about writing, the limits of language and catching a sea trout. Any representation of an experience is … Continue reading →

Posted in Other stuff | Leave a comment

This much I know about…how our colleagues are first and foremost people

Posted on July 6, 2017

I have been a teacher for 29 years, a Headteacher for 14 years and, at the age of (nearly) 53, this much I know about how our colleagues are first and foremost people. If I have learnt anything in my time … Continue reading →

Posted in Other stuff | 5 Comments

This much I know about…how curriculum, assessment and teaching & learning are so inextricably linked

Posted on June 24, 2017

I have been a teacher for 29 years, a Headteacher for 14 years and, at the age of (nearly) 53, this much I know about how curriculum, assessment and teaching & learning are so inextricably linked. If one of the purposes … Continue reading →

Posted in Teaching and Learning | 2 Comments

This much I know about…how for the first 25 years of my teaching career I didn’t really understand what I was doing

Posted on June 17, 2017

I have been a teacher for 29 years, a Headteacher for 14 years and, at the age of (nearly) 53, this much I know about how for the first 25 years of my teaching career I didn’t really understand what I … Continue reading →

Posted in Research, School Leadership, Teaching and Learning | 1 Comment