BARRY SMITH EDUCATION

Be credible. You have to be able to do what you’re asking them to do. Strip back what’s not working. Get into lessons. No jargon! Sell the benefits!

If we were more honest about what really goes on in schools we’d stand a chance of really changing culture. Without that honesty? We’re sunk!

I teach kids manners. I teach them through explicit modelling. I teach them to take personal responsibility. I do the same with heads, slt, wider staff. We’re hundreds of people squashed together in one building day after day. We may not even want to be there! So how do we learn to make the best of it?

Report cards can reinforce low expectations & be a source of conflict.

My take on ‘silent’ corridors.

Breaking down the hostility that’s often the norm in schools.

Be honest and authentic about what you believe. Stand your ground. Be human.

Every second should count in lessons. I’m looking to maximise learning return on time invested. I’m asking about opportunity cost. That’s why, I don’t advocate ‘Do Now’. Invariably, in my experience, they’re a poor use of time. There is a better way!

The usual detractors will spew their usual vitriol. Supporters will call for KB’s beatification. My advice? Watch it in little chunks with an open mind. Stop at intervals. Think deeply. Take notes. What can you use? But do watch it. And be open minded.

As with all my recordings, my advice, listen repeatedly, take notes, record yourself delivering your own script! Enjoy!

In their own words, what made this school transformation so truly remarkable. The thread? Trust! Look after your staff. Be trust worthy. Walk the talk. In time they’ll believe you. They’ll be suspicious at first. It’s normal.

Bit more about what I saw at Michaela; how heads I took to see Waterside Academy reacted; why schools fail; why I don’t have a lot of hope for the system but why, I still think, individual schools can do remarkable things.

I left in July 2017. This was my first visit back. It was utterly beautiful. For me, Michaela is a tiny glimmer of hope in a broken system. It’s all about values. If your values aren’t right, there’s no hope. I know the ins & outs of Michaela. Nowhere is perfect. KB would be first to point that out. I’ve never seen anything come close. It’s beautiful.

Me teaching kids in my style with my resources. Coaching your French teachers. Project for a half term or term. Lots of logistics to consider. Could be fascinating! Doug fancies videoing! Teach like a champignon! (French joke!)

33 mins of me pondering the many issues surrounding hw. Lots of suggestions. Lots of honesty. If you fancy chatting to me about cpd, culture or mfl, dm me on twitter email…BarrySmithEducation@outlook.com

Like so many initiatives, people see an activity, half understand, don’t think about the underpinnings, launch the initiatives without trying to see or preempt the inevitable downsides as well as the potential ups! Again, age old issue! We grasp at straws without thinking! Does that mean we need to analyse EVERY possible problem? No! But we do need to use a bit of nous! And when it goes wrong? Rel...

We’ve all heard this said. We may have even said it. Where’s your circle of influence? That’s where you need to focus.

27 minutes! A long one! Sorry! But I like this one. It’s one of my best, I reckon. Here, I go a bit ‘self help guru’! Though my advice invariably comes back to, ‘Trust yourself more!’ Enjoy, and dm me, if you fancy cpd from me!

We all seem to be searching for rewards to motivate kids. Be careful! Here I talk about a bit of card that means ‘nothing’ but that actually means a lot. ‘I’ve noticed you. I like you. I like your contributions. Thanks for your energy!’

My angle? Light touch! Don’t overload them! Be really obvious but just highlight how very predictable & winnable the language is.

It’s about creating social norms, teaching social niceties, reducing the unpredictability of school, helping adults & kids talk to each other in a relaxed manner but also ensuring clarity. It’s none hard. It’s just a set of habits to develop.

You don’t need posters! But you do need to teach teachers to be consistent. And if staff aren’t consistent? What are you, as the head, going to do about it?

I get a lot of requests asking for mfl cpd. Lots of people raved about French at Michaela, then lots more came to see what we did at Charter. Doug Lemov even sent a videographer for a day! So this little recording is about bespoke mfl cpd with me! With liberal references to my day with the MFL Dept at Sam Strickland’s school. If you fancy a chat about cpd, mfl or culture or both, dm me on twitter...

17 minutes of me explaining the choices I make when teaching French.

If you listen to this and think, ‘This is incredibly sensible! We need this approach in my school because both adults and kids deserve better.’ DM me! Or email barrysmitheducation@outlook.com