“Keep it Simple, Stupid” – KISS

In creating, implementing and maintaining anything, especially complex delivery systems, a great directive I was given as a younger manager was to ‘keep things as simple as possible.’    I remember my headteacher telling me, when trying to implement an assessment system where staff were struggling just to cope with the entry system, the technology […]

Curriculum Modelling: The great language debate

One of the significant factors that impacts curriculum modelling decisions is your intention for the delivery of modern foreign languages. In this technical series I set out common practice and the issues that many wrestle with and what to do next.

Curriculum Modelling: Cycle Design

The pandemic period has brought a number of things into focus for school leaders. One I have been asked most about over the past few months is what is going on in curriculum modelling cycle design. Within the secondary curriculum modelling understanding there is the characteristic of a number of organised sessions over a defined number of days into which we plan for the learning experiences to be scheduled with specialist staff. 

ICFP Metrics: The magic number

When considered alone, there are some issues with the use of teacher contact ratio as a measurement of school structure that must be understood if it is being used to compare school structural efficiency.

Getting to grips with ICFP

I was recently asked to write an article for online journal the headteacher, focusing on why ICFP is different in its application within the primary context and what the strengths of it might be. Why does it represent value, and are the metrics as applicable as they appear within the secondary phase?

Territory Mapping for Educators

Get involved below Chris Jones invites you to join an end of term adventure, exploring an inspirational new way of developing essential personal leadership skills and values in your students and teachers. You will meet Anthony Willoughby, who created this revolutionary approach to leadership development, as well as John Rolfe and other teachers using it […]

Why does Curriculum Enhancement matter?

What is Curriculum Enhancement? After years of working with schools on efficiency, affordability and recovery I found myself asking a common question when reviewing and analysing a school’s curriculum planning: “Is this curriculum plan the right size for the children that are currently in the building?” For many years schools have used a set of […]

SMARTcurriculum® Update Issue 12

Letting SMARTcurriculum® Users know about the various strands of support we offer, including new How To videos.

Why would ICFP matter for us? Part 1

I recently wrote an article for online journal the headteacher, ‘Getting to Grips with ICFP’ focused on why ICFP is different in its application within the primary context. Do have a look. https://www.primaryleaders.com/school-procurement/data-administration/getting-to-grips-with-icfp

Primary ICFP

I was recently asked to write an article for the PSM magazine to discuss the application of Integrated Curriculum and Finance Planning within the primary sector. Here is a taster of what I discussed.

Timetable Recovery – a post pandemic response

In recent conversations with many schools it seems that people are taking seriously the changes in circumstances that have opened their eyes to alternative methodologies in putting their schools together.

Why outsource your timetabling?

In a recent contract review a leading headteacher of an large outstanding school said “never again will I allow my senior staff to be stuck in a room pouring over a timetable for weeks, I will always seek to use a skilled timetabler who builds a relationship with the school and we can rely on […]