Insularity breeds contempt. In my first job at Eastbourne Sixth Form College I was tutoring a student. I asked him whether he had ever been to Brighton. He replied with some disdain, “No way. It’s full of crooks and queers.”…
This much I know about…Jo Cox’s murder and the worth of public service
I have been a teacher for 27 years, a Headteacher for 12 years and, at the age of 51, this much I know about Jo Cox’s murder and the worth of public service. At 5.10 pm last Thursday I was…
This much I know about…Happiness
I have been a teacher for 27 years, a Headteacher for 12 years and, at the age of 51, this much I know about Happiness. Between patrolling the school corridors, ensuring Year 11 are still revising hard and checking the examination halls…
This much I know about…how our colleagues are first and foremost people
I have been a teacher for 27 years, a Headteacher for 12 years and, at the age of 51, this much I know about how our colleagues are first and foremost people. Do what I tell you to do because…
This much I know about…loneliness on this Mother's Day
I have been a teacher for 27 years, a Headteacher for 12 years and, at the age of 51, this much I know about loneliness on this Mother’s Day. But little do men perceive what solitude is, and how far…
This much I know about…my dad's essential self
I have been a teacher for 27 years, a Headteacher for 12 years and, 31 years since his passing, this much I know about my dad’s essential self. Judging by the parched ground, this photograph of my dad was taken…
This much I know about…why successful recruitment is all about cultural fit
I have been a teacher for 27 years, a Headteacher for 12 years and, at the age of 51, this much I know about why successful recruitment is all about cultural fit. Vision matters. Eight years ago to the week…
This much I know about…my missed opportunity with David Beckham
I have been a teacher for 27 years, a Headteacher for 12 years and, at the age of 51, this much I know about my missed opportunity with David Beckham. Our lives are defined by opportunities, even the ones…
This much I know about…pointlessness
I have been a teacher for 27 years, a Headteacher for 13 years and, at the age of 51, this much I know about pointlessness. Blue is the colour. Just over a year ago our premises manager Jeff refurbished my…
This much I know about…the impact of poverty-inducing cuts upon our children's education
I have been a teacher for 27 years, a Headteacher for 12 years and, at the age of 51, this much I know about the impact of poverty-inducing cuts upon our children’s education. You’d expect the Guardian to knock on…