What is the cocktail of successful schools and their leaders? They are restless. There is a paradox at their core: they are very secure in their systems, values and successes, yet simultaneously seeking to change and improve.
These schools look inwards to secure wise development; they look outwards to seize innovation which they can hew to their own ends and, importantly, make a difference to the children and students they serve. This book is written with the certainty that whatever the quality of an education system and its schools at a given point in time, we shall strive to improve them, in the knowledge that perfection lies just around the corner. That is the human condition. That is the international imperative. That is the restless school.
"In this thought provoking book Roy Blatchford draws on 40 years of wide ranging experience within the UK and international education systems in order to capture the essence of successful schools. The image of schools which are 'restless to improve' - never complacent, however successful, founded on a 'crucible of values' - provides a deeply positive and optimistic vision of a thriving and confident education service. So often opportunities for busy school leaders to lead their schools with confidence are constrained by immediate and externally imposed pressures. This book provides a valuable opportunity for school leaders to challenge those constraints by reflecting on what really matters." Brian Lightman, General Secretary, Association of School and College Leaders
"Blatchford sets teachers, schools and their leaders a standard that's terrifying in prospect, yet assuredly attainable if we can just maintain our courage, commitment and determination - our professionalism, indeed, as he stresses. Inspired by this remarkable small handbook of school excellence, I don't see how we can avoid accepting and confronting the challenge. It would be rude not to!" Bernard Trafford, Headmaster, Royal Grammar School, Newcastle
Roy Blatchford is Director of the National Education Trust (www.nationaleducationtrust.net). Previously he was Her Majesty's Inspector of Schools (HMI) in England, with national responsibilities for school improvement and for the inspection of outstanding schools. Roy has extensive experience of writing inspection frameworks, nationally and internationally, and has inspected and reviewed over 800 schools and colleges in the UK and Europe, USA, Middle East and India.