Schools need to have purchase on the curriculum: why they teach the subjects beyond preparation for examinations, what they are intending to achieve with the curriculum, how well it is planned and enacted in classrooms and how they know whether it’s doing what it’s supposed to. Fundamental to this understanding are the conversations between subject leaders and their line managers. However, there is sometimes a mismatch between the subject specialisms of senior leaders and those they line manage. If I don’t know the terrain and the importance of a particular subject, how can I talk intelligently with colleagues who are specialists?
Huh: Curriculum conversations between subject and senior leaders
Back on Track: Fewer things, greater depth
There are a lot of redundant processes in schools. We need to take a hard look at these and consider whether they are adding value to the core purpose of schools.
We need to apply Greg McKeown’s ‘disciplined pursuit of less’ in order to create the time and space to do deep, satisfying work on the curriculum. This means that there will be some hard choices and recognise that if we cannot do everything, we need to move to a space which acknowledges there will be trade offs.
This is more than a workload issue, it is about focusing our efforts on the most important agenda item in schools today – the development of an ambitious curriculum for every child, in every school.
The Curriculum: Gallimaufry to coherence
'Inspiring and helpful in equal measure, this book is going to make a significant contribution to the work schools need to do to make the vision of a coherent curriculum a reality.’ Tom Sherrington, former teacher and headteacher; consultant and author of The Learning Rainforest
’Globally, new attention is being given to curriculum principles and curriculum practice. Mary Myatt's book is major contribution to this debate. She combines encyclopaedic knowledge of schools with crystal-clear description of curriculum principles and few books range so effectively across curriculum theory and day-to-day practice in the classroom. Mary does this with huge authority and extreme clarity. A must-read for all those involved in improving education.’ Tim Oates CBE, Group Director of ARD, Assessment Research and Development
Hopeful Schools
'Hopeful Schools' is a breath of fresh air and reminds you 'why' we do 'what' we do, whilst making you think 'how' we go about it. Mary encourages us to consider what soulful schools; heart-based education and courageous leadership could and should look like. This book will nourish you and restore your faith in the future of our education system. It will reassure you that by being hopeful we can affect change.
High Challenge, Low Threat: How the best leaders find the balance
‘Mary Myatt's book is a treasury of leadership wisdom and guidance for everyone working in schools today. She provides the antidote to negative, fear-based, toxic leadership by describing ways in which healthy, people-focussed, positive, effective, appreciative and collaborative leadership can arise. Her powerful synthesis of complex leadership concepts and best-practice examples makes this a must-read book for anyone wanting to be an outstanding leader without sacrificing their values, good health and professional passion.’ Dr Lynne Sedgmore CBE, Leadership coach and consultant, ex Chief Executive of 157 Group, Centre for Excellence in Leadership and Guildford College within UK Further Education. Named in Debretts 2015 and Women of Spirit UK 2016.