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kevbartle.bsky.social
Student of educational complexity, which has resulted in my becoming a MA DMan. Founder of www.mind-your-head.net to provide reflective supervision for school leaders. Senior Education Lead for SSAT.
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Book 8 of my 100 for 2025 pledge. Poor by Katriona O'Sullivan (2023) Harrowing at times, with clear identification of the failings of the state in tackling poverty (without being preachy). Education is key but, sadly, so too are funded life-changing programmes that are now largely gone.

submitted 27 days ago • 2 comments

Fittingly, book 7 of 100 for 2025. The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - Betting Hughes - 2024 A revelation given my rather limited knowledge of ancient history. Beautifully put together as more than simply a history.

submitted 31 days ago • 0 comments

Book 6 of my 100 for 2025 resolution. James Barr - A Line in the Sand - 2011 An episode from modern history that I knew very little about. And, as the author's final line concludes, "a tale from which neither country emerges with much credit". But fascinating nonetheless.

submitted 41 days ago • 0 comments

Book 5 of 100 A Gentleman in Moscow - Amor Towles - 2016 What a delightful gem. Made me laugh and weep in equal measure.

submitted 48 days ago • 0 comments

4th of a planned 100 books for 2025, and the 1st of 20 in French. Albert Camus - L'Etranger - 1942 My first novel read in French.

submitted 52 days ago • 0 comments

My umpteenth cake bake of the festive season (I should probably cut back on these in the new year). And a new recipe, a very classic ginger cake. With fresh ginger, golden syrup and treacle. Mmmmmm. Maybe one more slice, methinks.

submitted 55 days ago • 0 comments

Daisy Christodoulou - I can't stop thinking about VAR - 2024 Book 3 of my 100 target for 2025 completed. The challenges of complexity in sport, and especially football, laid bare. And then some intriguing suggestions about how/whether we might attempt to tackle (pun intended) these.

submitted 55 days ago • 0 comments

New Year's Resolution #1 should always involve taking care of oneself in some way. It's that old chestnut about donning one's own oxygen mask first. If you're a school leader fighting the very good fight and worried that you might not be winning it, seek support. Supervision can help a lot.

submitted 56 days ago • 0 comments

Orbital - Samantha Harvey - 2024 Booker Prize Winner. A very powerful read at the ending of one man-made time marker and the beginning of another. Intelligently imagined and beautifully constructed in equal measure. Although brief, it is as full as a day with 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets.

submitted 58 days ago • 0 comments

Reveillon meal, preceded by a 'gin fizz'. Bonne année à tous.

submitted 59 days ago • 1 comment

Murakami - The City and its Uncertain Walls - 2024. If you're a Murakami fan, and I am, you'll enjoy this. Can't say that I loved it as well as some of his others, but still snaffled it up in a little over two days.

submitted 59 days ago • 1 comment

Omigosh. I did it. After years of taking this quiz, I finally broke into double figures (just) with 10 out of 15. Elated. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

submitted 62 days ago • 1 comment

New post on every published Ofsted report from inspections in 24-25 so far. Beyond the Big Listen, what has been changing in 'need to improve' comments and what impact has the (kind of) removal of overall judgments had? Some interesting early insights. www.ssatuk.co.uk/blog/beyond-...

submitted 85 days ago • 1 comment

Over halfway through my 'in order' reading of all of the George Smiley novels. Each one different (in a good way), but this is an incredibly good read. Two-thirds of the way through and loving it.

submitted 85 days ago • 0 comments

We’re looking for our next cohort of east100. Leaders from the east of England ready to take the step into headship. Committed to eradicating the disadvantage gap. And excited about doing it as a team. Read more about it and apply here 👇🏽 www.reachfoundation.uk/insights/joi...

submitted 85 days ago • 0 comments

New post on every published Ofsted report from inspections in 24-25 so far. Beyond the Big Listen, what has been changing in 'need to improve' comments and what impact has the (kind of) removal of overall judgments had? Some interesting early insights. www.ssatuk.co.uk/blog/beyond-...

submitted 85 days ago • 1 comment

Coming very soon, a new blogpost about the first 1600 'need to improve' comments on inspection reports in 2024-25. Writing and adaptations are the big movers. Assessment and attendance continue to strengthen. More insights coming in a great value January webinar. www.ssatuk.co.uk/event/readin...

submitted 87 days ago • 1 comment

Coming very soon, a new blogpost about the first 1600 'need to improve' comments on inspection reports in 2024-25. Writing and adaptations are the big movers. Assessment and attendance continue to strengthen. More insights coming in a great value January webinar. www.ssatuk.co.uk/event/readin...

submitted 87 days ago • 1 comment

A respectable 6/15 this week. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

submitted 90 days ago • 0 comments

Saw this and thought of you, @hgaldinoshea.bsky.social

submitted 90 days ago • 0 comments

Always fascinating in his turns of phrase. Frequently razor-sharp in his analytical framework. Sometimes utterly glorious as a sociologist of sport. For me, today's offering from Barney Ronay has it all. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

submitted 90 days ago • 1 comment

Serving and aspiring HTs. Tomorrow is launch day for Head Cases. Using case methods to explore the most pressing challenges for heads, starting with parental complaints. Bridging theory and practice in five themed sessions. Last chance to join us. www.ssatuk.co.uk/cpd/leadersh...

submitted 93 days ago • 0 comments

Serving and aspiring HTs. Tomorrow is launch day for Head Cases. Using case methods to explore the most pressing challenges for heads, starting with parental complaints. Bridging theory and practice in five themed sessions. Last chance to join us. www.ssatuk.co.uk/cpd/leadersh...

submitted 93 days ago • 0 comments

Headship is increasingly complex. But HT preparation, induction and ongoing CPDL fails to effectively address this (according to research and our survey findings). @ssatuk.co.uk's Head Cases programme seeks to address this issue. Have a look. Get in touch. www.ssatuk.co.uk/cpd/leadersh...

submitted 115 days ago • 0 comments

Places on this unique programme of Headship preparation and ongoing CPDL are limited and filling up. If you want to know more before committing, use the link at the bottom of this page to book a call with me. I'm available over half term and would be happy to chat. www.ssatuk.co.uk/cpd/leadersh...

submitted 125 days ago • 0 comments

Next week sees the start of a five part programme aimed at serving and aspiring headteachers: Head Cases. We will focus on case studies of events likely to shape the experience of HTs, before wrestling with the challenges they present. Want to know more in 5 mins? www.ssatuk.co.uk/blog/an-outl...

submitted 100 days ago • 0 comments

Next week sees the start of a five part programme aimed at serving and aspiring headteachers: Head Cases. We will focus on case studies of events likely to shape the experience of HTs, before wrestling with the challenges they present. Want to know more in 5 mins? www.ssatuk.co.uk/blog/an-outl...

submitted 100 days ago • 0 comments

I submitted my evidence this evening. I mostly focused on the anachronistic, fragmented system for local RE curricula and the need for a National Curriculum for RE. I know this is not a priority for the DfE but, unless we take the opportunity to speak up, the current system will stagger on forever.

submitted 101 days ago • 0 comments

With a week until the launch of the innovative Head Cases programme by @ssatuk.co.uk, I wanted to outline how the programme works. Whether a serving or aspiring HT, this research-informed offer is the perfect partner/antidote to NPQH. Happy to chat if helpful. www.ssatuk.co.uk/blog/an-outl...

submitted 101 days ago • 0 comments

On the 30th anniversary of Coppola's version of Bram Stoker's Dracula. A fascinating piece that goes much deeper than the clickbaity title might suggest. I love this film as much as I love the novel, but in very different ways. www.theguardian.com/culture/2024...

submitted 101 days ago • 0 comments

With a week until the launch of the innovative Head Cases programme by @ssatuk.co.uk, I wanted to outline how the programme works. Whether a serving or aspiring HT, this research-informed offer is the perfect partner/antidote to NPQH. Happy to chat if helpful. www.ssatuk.co.uk/blog/an-outl...

submitted 101 days ago • 0 comments

If you're a DHT seeking headship and looking for CPDL that supplements the NPQH, then the Head Cases by @ssat programme might be right up your street. Here's why. www.ssatuk.co.uk/blog/making-... Get in touch if you'd like to know more.

submitted 121 days ago • 0 comments

Two weeks to go to the first of five sessions on our case methods programme for serving/aspiring headteachers. Parental complaints is the first case we will be exploring, drawing on experience, theory, legislation and reflection. Not too late to book. www.ssatuk.co.uk/cpd/leadersh...

submitted 108 days ago • 0 comments

The nicest thing on my website, which is full of nice things. This is why I started providing reflective supervision. I'm currently working with over 50 people, individually or in groups, in-person or online. Get in touch if you'd like to know more. www.mind-your-head.net

submitted 123 days ago • 0 comments

Researching case methods for school leadership. Levin's work suggests that a variety of experiential levels can be helpful. libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncg/f/B_... For this reason, @ssatuk.co.uk's Head Cases programme welcomes aspiring as well as serving HTS. www.ssatuk.co.uk/blog/making-...

submitted 120 days ago • 1 comment

If history and/or the Tour de France get your pulse racing, this is wonderful. 70 pages to go, and I'm already mourning the moment I finish. Thank you, @nedboulting.bsky.social, for your bloody-mindedness in telling a tale that didn't need to be told but for which the world is richer.

submitted 107 days ago • 0 comments

Two weeks to go to the first of five sessions on our case methods programme for serving/aspiring headteachers. Parental complaints is the first case we will be exploring, drawing on experience, theory, legislation and reflection. Not too late to book. www.ssatuk.co.uk/cpd/leadersh...

submitted 108 days ago • 0 comments

Another fascinating post on attendance from @fftedudatalab.bsky.social Severe Absence in 23-24 up compared to 22-23 for each compulsory school age group. Overall absence for 24-25 about level with 23-24. Slight reduction in secondary PA but early days. ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/2024/11/pupi...

submitted 115 days ago • 0 comments

Headship is increasingly complex. But HT preparation, induction and ongoing CPDL fails to effectively address this (according to research and our survey findings). @ssatuk.co.uk's Head Cases programme seeks to address this issue. Have a look. Get in touch. www.ssatuk.co.uk/cpd/leadersh...

submitted 115 days ago • 0 comments

Researching case methods for school leadership. Levin's work suggests that a variety of experiential levels can be helpful. libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncg/f/B_... For this reason, @ssatuk.co.uk's Head Cases programme welcomes aspiring as well as serving HTS. www.ssatuk.co.uk/blog/making-...

submitted 120 days ago • 1 comment