Tag Archives: Teaching

“Show up on time, know the text and have an idea.“ – Tom Hanks

Posted on 04/07/2025 by jameswilding

In this second of my 3 blogs written to summarise my world of work over the last year, I am building on the core words of advice I set out last week for politicians to consider: “Speak truth, build and … Continue reading →

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“Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.” William Shakespeare – Measure for Measure.

Posted on 26/06/2025 by jameswilding

26 June 2025 As we reach the conclusion of this academic year, I’m writing 3 blogs to summarise all the joys, fears, pains and hopes that have populated  my world of work as Academic Principal. This first is largely a … Continue reading →

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The High Court decision on the TAX change by the Government (part 2)

Posted on 19/06/2025 by jameswilding

Claires Court is one of over 1400 private schools who form part of the Independent Schools Council. The ISC Board met on Wednesday, 18 June. Below is the statement that was issued by ISC to all schools at 12 noon … Continue reading →

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“Conversation is a catalyst for innovation.” – John Seely Brown*

Posted on 16/05/2025 by jameswilding

Our annual Parent survey assists us – Principals and Heads – in hearing the voices of our customers, celebrating the successes and noting the ‘pointers for improvement’ as appropriate. All our staff met at the start of this term with … Continue reading →

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In an era of ‘fake news’ the role of trained and professional journalists has never been more important. Wes Streeting Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, MP for Ilford 

Posted on 28/03/2025 by jameswilding

I will have been one of many millions this week who chose to watch and listen carefully to the Chancellor’s Spring Statement on Wednesday, to glean as best I could what the near and medium term economic future for the … Continue reading →

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Changemaking in this Diamond era – how to meet the challenge!

Posted on 14/03/2025 by jameswilding

This Wednesday, I spent the morning with Robert Hardman, journalist and author, providing insight on how independent schools are meeting the multiplicity of challenges brought on by a change in government, taxation, employer costs in a wider landscape of falling … Continue reading →

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Acts of Purpose – why teachers come to school.

Posted on 06/03/2025 by jameswilding

It’s a year since our PTA AGM 2024, and we’ve just held our update for 2025. Over the past 12 months, during one of the more unstable periods of world history I’ve experienced, I’ve significantly changed my focus as a … Continue reading →

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Proprietorial governance in times of change

Posted on 06/02/2025 by jameswilding

All Independent Schools exist by permission of Parliament, and are responsible to the DfE for meeting what are known as the 8 Regulatory Standards (the regs) covered by the 2019 Guidance plus a plethora of policies for which we are … Continue reading →

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“Make Your Bed” – Admiral William H. McRaven

Posted on 05/12/2024 by jameswilding

In his book, published in 2017, McRaven makes 10 suggestions, the subtitles being ‘Little things that can change your life…and maybe the world’. 7 years earlier, when he gave the commencement address to 8000 graduating students at the University of … Continue reading →

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“Those who say it can’t be done are usually interrupted by others doing it’ – James Baldwin

Posted on 29/11/2024 by jameswilding

The author of this quote, James Baldwin (1924-1987), was an American writer and civil rights activist. He was a prominent voice in the American Civil Rights Movement and is considered one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. His … Continue reading →

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