Headteacher

A headteacher in Mexico uses leadership techniques from the UK

Headteacher Alfonso Tirso Arroyo takes part in a pilot project to develop standards for Mexican school leaders, transforming his own role as headteacher. Alfonso, inspired by exchanging ideas with UK headteachers, has implemented a series of organisational strategies at Escuela Secundaria Industrial Tecnica No.105, to get teachers, pupils and parents used to collaborating in small groups. At No. 105, there are now pupil monitors and recycling projects; and first grade teachers across all subjects are holding regular sessions to discuss issues students may have. Change is never easy, but gradually Alfonso is managing to transform relationships and his own role as headteacher. This video is part of a series looking at inspirational headteachers and the positive effect their leadership has had on the schools they've worked with.

... in Xalapa, Mexico - The Five Standards and the School Community

A Mexican headteacher implements new standards for school leaders

Follow headteacher Maria de la Cruz Galan Raymond through a typical day at her primary school in Cordoba, Mexico, as she implements a new set of standards for school leaders. Maria is taking part in a pilot project to develop standards for school leaders. The standards cover all aspects of school leadership, and inform how Maria interacts with parents, teachers, pupils and the local authorities. She now holds drop-in sessions for parents, regular meetings with the Parents' Association, collaborates with local authorities to raise pupils' self-esteem, and makes time to monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching and learning. The strategies are already having a measurable impact on the schools' results, and Maria has rediscovered her passion for the job. This video is part of a series looking at inspirational headteachers and the positive effect their leadership has had on the schools they've worked with.

...in Cordoba, Mexico - Five Standards in One Day

A profile of the work of an inspirational Brazilian headteacher

Headteacher of Escola Maciel Pinheiro in north-east Brazil, Lucia de Sousa Periera, is a strong leader who instills respect in the school despite its situation in a bad neighbourhood. Lucia has introduced a student union and school council, and the school recently came third in the region in the national exam for secondary education. Lucia was chosen for an international school leadership project and visited schools in England. As a result, she has introduced classroom observation to her school, something which is not generally done in Brazil. We watch her progress. This video is part of a series looking at inspirational headteachers and the positive effect their leadership has had on the schools they've worked with.

...in Recife, Brazil

A Brazilian headteacher shows how she has changed class behaviour

E. E Caramuru is a secondary school in a suburb of S&atilde;o Paulo, Brazil. The headteacher, Aleixina Vinhola, is dedicated to improving the prospects of her students, some of whom live in the nearby favela. After being chosen for an international school leadership project and visiting schools in England, Aleixina has introduced classroom observation as part of school self-evaluation. She says she has noticed a definite improvement in teaching and in behaviour in class as a result. This video is part of a series looking at inspirational headteachers and the positive effect their leadership has had on the schools they've worked with.

...in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Revolutionary principles of a Brazilian headteacher in practice

During his 13 year headship at Escola Jose Leite Barros in north-east Brazil, Antonio Fernando Santos Silva dramatically transformed the school into a successful institution. Escola Jose Leite Barros is now a democratically-run institution, with committed staff and a focus on school self-evaluation. Coordinator of 65 schools in the region, Antonio has also visited schools in England as part of an international school leadership project. In this video, we see an English teacher observing a history teacher as they deliver a class about Brazilian presidents, followed by the feedback session - a discussion among teachers in the staffroom. This video is part of a series looking at inspirational headteachers and the positive effect their leadership has had on the schools they've worked with.

...in Tacaimbo, Brazil

A school in Blackpool responds to local educational needs

By designing their own curriculum, Collegiate High School in Blackpool has responded well to the needs of its pupils. The town's lack of investment has created areas of deprivation, leading to low aspirations and under achievement for many pupils. The Ulysses project aims to make the pupils more independent and successful learners. Their success has lead to them being a case study for the Key Stage 3 curriculum reforms. Individual needs are met by the staff, in a combination of a tutor group format and cross-curricular teaching.

A Community Curriculum

Explore an innovative approach to the KS3 curriculum

At Whitley Abbey Business and Enterprise College in Coventry, an innovative approach to the KS3 curriculum enables Year 7 pupils to spend the whole morning with just one teacher, covering multiple subjects. Using the RSA's Opening Minds approach, the school focuses on providing learners with core skills and competences in order to engage with their learning and with the world. In this programme, we follow a cross-curriculum lesson in which risk-taking is a key skill, and observe a lesson on migration where pupils are asked to make difficult decisions. Teachers also discuss the benefits of the school's approach for pupils and their own teaching, and reveal the challenges of teaching outside their specialist subject. The school believes that responsibility for learning leads to responsible behaviour, with falling detention rates and improved attendance being evidence for the innovation's success.

A Flexible Timetable

A secondary school shows how it achieved a perfect Ofsted report

A secondary school shares how it achieved the top grade in every category of the new Ofsted Inspection Framework. Harris City Academy in Crystal Palace, south London, scored grade 1 in every single category of the Ofsted Inspection Framework, making it the first school to achieve a perfect Ofsted report. Principal Steve Kenning runs through how the top grade was achieved. Ranging from the structures in place in school, to the exceptionally high expectations of all students and staff, he outlines the building blocks of his successful school.

A Perfect Ofsted

An insight into a 21st century personalised curriculum

Richard Green, executive principal at Waingels College, explains why he wanted to get away from a "one-size fits all" curriculum and develop a fluid, open and personalised approach to learning fit for the 21st century. Year 7 pupils at Waingels undertake the RSA's Opening Minds curriculum, staff use a skills-based approach in other years, and have vertical learning groups in some areas. The school ensures teachers are not isolated and brings them together regularly to reflect on the impact of their innovations. In this programme, we follow a Year 7 lesson dedicated to listening skills and a Year 9 science lesson aiming to develop effective thinking skills. We also drop in on a pupil feedback session where teachers explore the impact of these new approaches to learning.

A Personalised Curriculum

Improving the fortunes of an ailing Bristol school

Headteacher John Matthews speaks frankly about Brislington Enterprise College's struggle to cater for every child and the poor state of the school's buildings. But in 2008 the Bristol school is to be replaced by a state-of-the-art college, designed to work as seven small schools in one. A fresh teaching approach is being adopted to combine classes, and teach subjects through project-based work until the end of Key Stage 3. Staff prepare for the challenge with regular meetings to discuss teaching techniques and to talk about any difficulties they may encounter.

Professional Development for Quality Teaching

Roles

> Secondary Headteacher