Other stuff

This much I know about…being teased by colleagues

22/12/2017 1:39 pm22/12/2017By johntomsettIn Mental Health in Schools, Other stuff, School Leadership2 Comments

I have been a teacher for 29 years, a Headteacher for 14 years and, at the age of 53, this much I know about being teased by colleagues. A few weeks back during a full staff briefing I moaned about the younger…

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

23/08/2017 6:42 am23/08/2017By johntomsettIn Other stuff5 Comments

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…

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

21/08/2017 9:38 pm21/08/2017By johntomsettIn Other stuff2 Comments

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…

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

06/07/2017 2:37 pm06/07/2017By johntomsettIn Other stuff5 Comments

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…

This much I know about…the speech Theresa May should have made yesterday

10/06/2017 6:12 am10/06/2017By johntomsettIn Other stuff16 Comments

When Theresa May stood in front of 10 Downing Street yesterday, it was as if she had played no part whatsoever in calling the General Election. This is the speech she should have made: I have just been to see…

This much I know about how doing nothing much with your loved ones is the best thing

22/04/2017 3:31 pm22/04/2017By johntomsettIn Other stuff8 Comments

I have been a teacher for 28 years, a Headteacher for 13 years and, at the age of 52, this much I know about how doing nothing much with your loved ones is the best thing. We have spent an…

This much I know about…how, on Mother's Day, our mother is still here, against the odds

26/03/2017 7:18 am26/03/2017By johntomsettIn Other stuff1 Comment

I have been a teacher for 28 years, a Headteacher for 13 years and, at the age of 52, this much I know about how, on Mother’s Day, our mother is still here, against the odds. On the weekend my brother…

This much I know about…the School Funding Crisis and the National Funding Formula.

16/01/2017 6:35 am16/01/2017By johntomsettIn General educational issues, Other stuff, School Leadership1 Comment

I have been a teacher for 28 years, a Headteacher for 13 years and, at the age of 52, this much I know about the School Funding Crisis and the National Funding Formula. It is time to put my head…

This much I know about…'The Ladybird Book of Edu-Twitter' (with apologies to @primarypercival)

19/12/2016 9:42 pm19/12/2016By johntomsettIn General educational issues, Other stuff, School Leadership1 Comment

I have been a teacher for 28 years, a Headteacher for 13 years and, at the age of 52, this much I know about ‘The Ladybird Book of Edu-Twitter’ (with apologies to @primarypercival). A bit of fun which became, for…

This much I know about…a teacher's most valuable legacy

15/10/2016 9:41 pm15/10/2016By johntomsettIn Other stuff2 Comments

I have been a teacher for 28 years, a Headteacher for 13 years and, at the age of 52, this much I know about a teacher’s most valuable legacy. What does it matter if you leave a legacy? Recently, one of my…