Grant Stanley Consulting

The former Department for Education Permanent Secretary argues that "monolithic" Whitehall departments are too remote from schools to be cost-effective or efficient in managing the system. He also says that given the scale of public finance cuts and the public's anti-politics mood, the state must rethink its relationship with the schools sector - by devolving power and trusting to frontline teachers, Higher Education and industry. I totally agree with this statement.   In a business world, as leaders, we isolate ourselves from the coal face by analysing figures and attending meetings, delegating responsibility for management of productivity to our managers (i.e. Head teachers and Principles).   Politics is no different; they disassociate themselves from the coal face, spend their time crunching numbers and making decisions without thinking about the serious impact that their decisions have on the everyday schools, colleges or academies. There are a number of ...

What is challenging behaviour? Challenging behaviour, in the school context, encompasses behaviour that: • Interferes with the pupil’s own and/or other pupils’ learning; • Disrupts the day to day functioning of the school; • Jeopardises the right of staff and pupils to a safe and orderly environment; • Has a duration, frequency, intensity or persistence that is beyond the normal range that schools tolerate; and • Is less likely to be responsive to the usual range of interventions used by the school to address pupil misbehaviour. A perusal of the behaviour records of most primary schools will provide clear examples of different types of challenging behaviour displayed by children. These include: • Aggressive behaviour, including pushing, punching, kicking, biting, scratching, and threatening behaviour and verbal abuse; • Disruptive behaviour, including screaming, tantrums, non-co-operation, running away; • Destructive behaviour, including destruction ...

I was recently visiting an established client and saw the opportunity to “Drop In” on a potential client that I had been repeatedly trying to contact.   Why wouldn’t you, I hear you ask?   I approached reception and Introduced myself and asked to speak to the Principle of the College (Let’s call her Bernie for Anonymity sake) and was told to wait in reception.   After 2 minutes of waiting, out storms this petite lady with a decidedly angry expression and the first words out of her mouth were; “I don’t know you, I don’t know your company and I never asked to see you!” Well, the consummate professional that I am, I didn’t balk at this onslaught and asked her for 5 minutes of her time.   It was wasted by the way, but I’ll explain why.   For those who study body language or NLP I could instantly tell that “Bernie” was not giving an inch; with her crossed arms and crossed legs, coupled with the etched scowl.   It turns out that my calls to her off...