Heads Up Ltd

30/09/2026

Difficult conversations are part of school leadership — but having them well is a skill that can be learned.

Discover a practical approach to structuring conversations with staff, colleagues and stakeholders, so you can communicate clearly, confidently and constructively.

Get 5 bite-sized videos packed with actionable tips for school leaders.

Link in the comments👇

30/09/2026

Looking forward to helping the East Sussex Education Improvement Team have more successful difficult conversations 🤩

29/09/2026

29/09/2026

You're talking to 'that' parent again.

You know they mean well.
You know you mean well.
But progress is sloooooow.

And you're getting dizzy from the circles that you're going around them.
Not to mention all the things they keep throwing in!

It's wearing.
It's taking too much time.
It's damaging the relationship.

If it's the fourth time you've had this conversation, the problem probably isn't the parent.
And it's not you either.
It's the problem you're solving.

Same complaint.
Different email.
Third meeting this term.

You keep addressing what's said — the EHCP review still sitting with the local authority, the extra intervention now in place, the provision that matches everything in the plan — and somehow it keeps coming back, wearing a different outfit.

Usually, the thing being raised isn't the actual issue.
It's a symptom of something underneath — trust, reassurance, feeling unheard, worry that nobody's fighting for what she needs.
Fix the symptom and the real issue is still there, waiting to resurface as something else next month.

Before your next repeat conversation, ask: what's this actually about?

Not what they're saying.
What they're really needing you to understand.

Solve that, and the fourth conversation might be the last one.

I call this 'speaking the unspoken'.
It's a brave thing to do, but it is often the breakthrough that is needed.

Here's the version that doesn't work:

'I know you'll come back with something else. You're right to fight her corner, and I want to as well. But...'

Here's the version that does:

'You're right to fight her corner. I respect that.
I'm fighting for her too — I realise it might not always feel that way to you.
I think we've done everything in our power for her that we can, at this point.
What would help you feel like I am on her side?'

No 'but'.
No prediction about what happens next.
Just the truth, kindly said.

Need help having a conversation like this? DM me.

28/09/2026

What if children didn’t just learn to read… but genuinely loved reading?

At East Wichel, reading has become part of the school culture — with children choosing books, talking about stories and developing a love of reading that stays with them.

Our FREE report, Going Beyond the Teaching of Reading, shares how they’ve made it happen and offers inspiration you can take back to your own school.

Get your free copy — link in the comments.

28/09/2026

A parent says: “My child would never do that.”

You know the evidence is there.
But you also know saying “You’re wrong” won’t help.

One of the biggest shifts in parent conversations is moving from opinion to evidence. But they don’t always believe you.

In this week’s email I share:
• why “evidence anchors” matter
• how to respond when perceptions differ
• a powerful question to ask when parents reject the evidence you’re sharing

Link in comments.

25/09/2026

Great to be at Culloden Primary School today with https://loom.ly/22oQeIQ

Amazing to see how a school with so many challenges (much higher than average SEND, EAL & FSM) educate children to get above national expected and greater depth. A happy, achieving school

25/09/2026

Great leadership is built through continuous learning—and the right community makes that journey even stronger.

“I’d recommend the Mastermind Group. It’s been instrumental in helping us to have a regular programme of professional development.” — Ian Scotchbrook, Headteacher, South Harringay Primary School

Discover how the Heads Up Educational Excellence Mastermind provides school leaders with ongoing professional development, fresh perspectives, and a trusted network committed to educational excellence.

Links in the comments 👇

24/09/2026

You replay it on the drive home.

That thing you said.
The moment they went quiet.
Whether you should have said it differently — more gently, more firmly, more clearly.

I do this too.
After years of training leaders to have these conversations well, I still leave some of them thinking: I could have done that better.

Here's what I've had to accept:

There's no such thing as a perfect difficult parent conversation.

Not one.
Not ever.
Not from anyone — including me.

Every lesson you've ever taught wasn't perfect either.
But you still helped that class learn, and grow, and become who they are.

A difficult parent conversation works the same way.
It doesn't need to be perfect to be a success.
It needs to be honest, and kind, and move things forward — even slightly.

So if you're still replaying one on your drive home tonight — be gentle with yourself.

And the fact that you're reflecting on what could have been done better is the best thing you can do.
Because you're always learning and improving.
That's all we can do.

You did a hard thing, with care.
That's enough.

23/09/2026

Is your whole team on the bus and moving in the same direction?

A great school vision isn’t just words on a wall. It gives your team a shared purpose, guides everyday decisions and helps everyone pull together towards what matters most.

Our FREE Create a Great School Vision e-course offers bite-sized learning to help you shape a vision your whole team can genuinely connect with.

Ready to get everyone moving together?

Join the free e-course — link in the comments.