The courage to lead

30th June 2023

Thank you, once again, for your efforts this week.

As we move into the final weeks of the academic year, the rhythms and routines are disturbed somewhat. We’ve had highly successful taster days and transition events across our schools and the college. All that comes on top of many of our children, young people, families, colleagues and community celebrating your Eid al-Adah. I thank you all for your efforts this week, and wish you all those celebrating Eid al-Adah: Eid Mubarak!

At this time of year we can all become bogged down by the doing of stuff; just getting through to the end of the term. And at the same time our minds are caste to getting ready for the upcoming academic year – and so we hold the aforementioned taster days and transition events. It is also the time when we need to think very carefully about pupil and student leadership and how we all lead in our classrooms, on our corridors, with our teams, in our schools and college, and in the community and beyond.

In advance of the end of the academic year and all that planning that you will all be doing; can I encourage the children and young people to be courageous. Not foolish, nor irresponsible, but thoughtful, and willing to take some risks, within the frameworks in which our schools and the college operate and in the context of the ethos upon which this trust is built. We know that we will only see substantial and sustained improvement if each and every one of us takes that responsibility for our own success; that’s leadership. It’s leading in the small things and leading at those big and significant moments. It’s scanning the horizon for the opportunities, which will allow you to go further than you thought possible, we all thought possible.

I know that we do not inherit courage, rather, it comes of daily practice, that we must perform ourselves, in the way that we engage with our ideas, our surroundings and our community. Ultimately, this courage will liberate you  and, in turn, you will ‘Inspire’ others in our communities to do the same. We know that this approach will allow for a fresh perspective to thrive and, importantly, better outcomes to emerge, for all.

I know that being courageous requires strength, creativity, knowledge and ability to take some risks. However, being courageous improves our chances of owning and shaping our future. It is for the greater good, will allow us to adapt to the ever-changing circumstances in our communities and in schools or in the college.

‘Leadership requires the courage to make decisions that will benefit the next generation’. Alan Autry

I hope in the coming weeks you can find that spark and establish some new ways of thinking working with, and alongside, your friends, family and the wider school and college communities