Kristian Shanks·Sep 7, 2024Gains on the Train: Reflections on ResearchED National Conference 2024[Note: I hate the phrase Gains on the Train — it’s one of those cringe sayings that are rife in education, but sometimes I then think it’s…
Kristian Shanks·May 25, 2024I went to a Grammar School, but don’t think they should exist any more. Am I a hypocrite?With the advent of a General Election campaign, Keir Starmer’s education background as a former grammar school student is being mentioned…
Kristian Shanks·Aug 30, 2023Exam Results: What can we really learn from them?If you’re a current Head of Department or senior leader, then you have probably spent a lot of the last week poring over sets of exam…
Kristian Shanks·Aug 8, 2023Reconstructing my swingI don’t really watch very much golf these days, but back in the day I seem to remember Tiger Woods periodically reconstructing his golf…
Kristian Shanks·May 27, 2023Year Group Learning (an alternative to Tutor Time?)Most English secondary schools operate a traditional model of form tutoring. This is where there is a morning session lasting about 20…
Kristian Shanks·Apr 16, 2023A journey in the leadership of Instructional CoachingSince taking on the role of Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning, I have had to get grips with Instructional Coaching as it forms…
Kristian Shanks·Feb 9, 2023One Year In: What I’ve been working on in as a new Assistant PrincipalWhen I last blogged, back in June, I was a mere half-term into my new role as Assistant Principal for T+L in a school in Bradford. I had…
Kristian Shanks·Jun 19, 2022Improving my subjects knowledge through Huh: Part 1 — Art and DesignIn my new role, I’m going to an enormous number of lessons outside of my own subject area. However, I often enter these lessons very much…
Kristian Shanks·Jun 15, 2022Reconciling one tension at the heart of middle leadershipOne of the things I’ve been reflecting on recently is about the role of middle leaders within a school. I’ve just left a role as a Head of…
