Lessons from the Head’s Office

Brian Walton has worked in education for almost thirty years (and still counting) – almost twenty of them as a head teacher. He hated school and left with no qualifications, wanting to be a rock star and ran a record shop (Madhouse Music) for a little while in his late teens. But destiny and a ‘sliding doors’ moment at Bridgwater College meant that Brian, aged 20 got on to an Access to Education course (a 1990s thing that helped people with no formal qualifications get in to university) despite never once thinking about becoming a teacher – he has never looked back.He has worked in education across the South of England and currently ‘head teaches’ in the West Country. He is a bit of a board game geek and loves cycling, music and his very small group of friends. He is married to his lifelong best friend, has two cats (who hate him) and two amazing children who keep him on his toes.

• Chapter 1: On LeadershitChapter 2: On Crisis ManagementChapter 3: On WellbeingChapter 4: On InclusionChapter 5: On TeamsChapter 6: On Leading And Managing ChangeChapter 7: On Finance And BusinessChapter 8: On Rebellious Leadership

If you want a reflection on current school leadership, then you would do well to learn your lessons from this no-nonsense head’s office. I may not agree with everything, but the courage of its conviction is compelling, convincing, and that makes it a must-read.