Editor’s comment

Well, once again it seems summer went by in the blink of an eye. The British weather may have been predictably unpredictable, but we do hope you all managed to get some much deserved R&R. As August becomes a hazy memory, and you all embark on what is always the busiest term of the year, normal service resumes here at EdExec HQ. As ever, we’ve hit the ground running with a fantastic September issue.

This month, we are bringing you a roundup of both our north and south EdExec Live events (page 6) that took place only a few months ago and were a roaring success. Now in their 10th year, I think it’s fair to say we have a winning formula for the best day of learning and networking in the sector, but you can decide for yourself as we give you a whistle stop tour of the topics covered by our fantastic speakers.

Then we explore the art of productive meetings with David Carne’s wisdom. His advice on making meetings engaging and dynamic is especially relevant in an era where virtual connections have become the norm.

Laura Williams takes us on a trip down memory lane in her piece on “The Illogical Logic of the SBM.” on page 18. Her reflections remind us that the lessons from our past experiences can be invaluable in steering our schools towards success.

Management takes centre stage with Sue Birchall discussing sustainability in education. The imperative to embrace eco-consciousness is undeniable, and her insights on taking the first green steps are both timely and pragmatic.

In the world of ICT Matters (pages 26-33), we delve into the latest trends in edtech. Educators are calling for a better understanding of online safety, and we explore whether the Online Safety Bill goes far enough. Dr. Fiona Aubrey Smith and Professor Peter Twining help us understand the intricate relationship between pedagogy and digital technology on page 30. Nigel Millington recommends looking at refurbished devices – they are less expensive, widely available and more reliable than people think. Find out more on page 32.

In this ever-changing and ever challenging world of school business leadership we think there’s something for everyone of you in the issue, and we hope you enjoy it and we hope you have a fantastic school year!

Contributors

The education sector can be difficult to navigate at times, and those in school business management play a pivotal role in steering schools to success. Tasked with everything from finance and procurement, to HR and admin, you keep the education cogs turning. Education Executive addresses the most pressing matters faced by SBMs, offering meaningful insights and practical advice.

DAVID CARNE Executive Business Manager CardinalGriffinCatholicCollege

LAURA WILLIAMS Director L J Business of Education

SUE BIRCHALL Long-standing SBL

SIMON HEPBURN Founder MarketingAdviceforSchools

DR FIONA AUBREY-SMITH Director OneLifeLearning

PROFF PETER TWINING Professor of Education

NIGEL MILLIGAN IT technician manager StHerbert’sRCPrimarySchool

WE

WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Is your school doing something wonderful? Do you have an opinion or experience you’d like to share? A story suggestion? Or some advice you’d like to share with your peers?

Get in touch – email joanna@ intelligentmedia.co.uk

JO BAILEY EDITOR

NEWS & VIEWS

04 NEWS

The latest news and views from the world of education

06 EDEXEC LIVE: 2023 ROUND UP

All the highlights from this year’s inspiring EdExec Live events

LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE

15 MAKE YOUR MEETINGS MORE PRODUCTIVE

David Carne gives his advice on making meetings engaging and dynamic

18 THE ILLOGICAL LOGIC OF THE SBM School leadership coach Laura Williams takes a trip down memory lane

20 TALKING POSITIVELY ABOUT PUPIL BEHAVIOUR

Are schools focusing enough on positive behaviour? Paul Featherstone thinks there is more work to be done

Management

22 HOW GREEN CAN WE BE?

SBL Sue Birchall talks about the first steps everyone can take towards sustainability

24 WHEN NEWSLETTERS STOP BEING NEW

The school newsletter is evolving – but how can you make it work harder for your school?

ICT MATTERS

26 SWITCHED ON

The latest news and views from the world of ICT and edtech

28 IS THE ONLINE SAFETY BILL ENOUGH?

According to educators, a better understanding of online safety is required

30 UNDERSTANDING THE EDTECH ICEBERG

Dr Fiona Aubrey Smith and Professor Peter Twining explore the link between pedagogy and digital technology

26

Education Executive is the first business management magazine written exclusively for school business managers and bursars, bringing you the latest issues affecting your role, from finance to premises, procurement to HR. EdExec delivers the lowdown on all the hottest topics in education management right here, every month.

Design

Graphic designer Amanda Lancaster amanda@intelligentmedia.co.uk

Editorial

Editor Joanna Bailey joanna@intelligentmedia.co.uk

32 TECHNO GEEK: THE BENEFITS OF REFURBISHED TECH

Just as reliable as new models, refurbished ICT equipment can save money and improve accessibility

Sales info@intelligentmedia.co.uk

Publisher Vicki Baloch vicki@intelligentmedia.co.uk

Take a break and enjoy some

The latest news and views from the world of education

@CherylSBM: The usual internal back and forth is about to begin - online or paper planner? I periodically think I want to do everything online but still tend to drift back to a paper planner time after time. Can I ever go digital? #SBLTwitter #SBM

Charity offers free school uniforms amidst cost-of-living crisis

Sudbury’s Salvation Army church and community centre is offering relief to struggling families as the cost-of-living crisis persists, the BBC reports. For the second time, the centre has launched a uniform swap shop, aiding households facing financial strain.

The initiative distributes quality second-hand uniforms, focusing on primary-aged children. The event, located at 1 Station Road, took place on August 11th from 09:30 to 12:00 BST, attracting about 100 families on the first day alone.

Anita, attending for the second year, praised the “brilliant” sustainable solution, calling it “an absolute blessing” for families in need.

Patsy Attwood, leader of Sudbury’s Salvation Army, highlighted the importance of alleviating the back-to-school financial burden. “Having a free uniform that fits properly is one less thing to worry about,” she noted, acknowledging the strain on parents dealing with high uniform costs.

The Salvation Army also assists adults and children with clothing needs throughout the year, often through referrals from their food bank.

In a world of financial uncertainty, this initiative offers more than just uniforms; it extends a helping hand and a sense of community to those in need.

@MulhernC: National school absence has risen from 4.7% to 6.4% and persistent absenteeism has doubled from 10.9% to 22.3% compared to pre-pandemic levels. I’m convinced the answer is not fining parents but finding out the cause and supporting families. #edutwitter #headteacher #schools

New teachers quitting profession due to job insecurity

The BBC has reported that Scotland’s prominent teaching union, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), has raised concerns over a rise in newly qualified teachers abandoning the profession due to a lack of long-term job security.

EIS general secretary Andrea Bradley urged the Scottish government to bolster funding for the creation of permanent teaching positions in a letter directed to first minister Humza Yousaf. Bradley revealed that EIS members had expressed distress over the summer, fearing unemployment at the commencement of the new school term.

The EIS underscores the necessity for dedicated funding allocated to local authorities, earmarked for the establishment of stable and enduring teacher roles. This move is deemed essential, particularly as the number of students requiring specialised support and those affected by socio-economic challenges continues to rise.

Although the Scottish government maintains its commitment to supporting teacher numbers, the EIS asserts that more robust measures are imperative to ensure the teaching profession remains appealing and viable amidst this wave of uncertainty.