The dreaded chirp of my phone alarm goes off and for a minute I can’t quite figure out where I am…then I remember the early wake up call is for a very good reason…we’re off to the Houses of Parliament!

As everyone settles down into a new term, teachers are getting to grips with their new classes, parents are happily back into a routine and the children – well, it’s like they’ve never been away, but what lies ahead in the year to come?

We continue to add to our series of ‘top tips’ sheets to help Heads and other school leaders deal with the most difficult situations of staff ill health.

Every governor knows how their role has grown in recent years and how the expectations of them have risen in parallel. However, one critical event in the annual governance calendar that has always been with us is Headteacher Appraisal.

One of my favourite films is “Billy Elliott”. I had tears when Julie Walters reads Billy’s letter and when his grandma, says “...I could have been a ballet dancer!”. As a teacher, gran’s lack of opportunity played heavily on me. I asked myself; “Will any of my pupils ever have such sad regrets in their later lives?”

Internet provision is now essential to schools...find out all you need to know about choosing a provider

As teachers, you have a unique relationship with young people and as such are often privy to, or made aware, when young people are going through a tough time emotionally.

How to reduce costs, gain control and increase the quality and consistency of teaching.