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Culture Shock: Why Leaders from Marginalised Backgrounds Face an Uphill Battle in Changing workplace Culture.
And how to make the process less lonely You’ve stepped into leadership—congratulations! But within days (maybe even hours), you’re hit...
mabrettell
Mar 113 min read
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The Leadership Balancing Act: Supporting Staff Without Burning Out
As a leader, you’re expected to support your team, ensure high performance, and create a positive working environment. But how do you do...
mabrettell
Feb 105 min read
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From Silos to Synergy: Creating a Collaborative Team Culture
One of the biggest challenges for new leaders is shifting a team from working in isolation to truly collaborating. A lack of teamwork can...
mabrettell
Feb 32 min read
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The Power of Feedback in Building Positive Relationships
Effective Feedback That Motivates Feedback is one of the most powerful tools a leader has, yet it’s also one of the most underutilised or...
mabrettell
Jan 272 min read
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Building Trust and Rapport: The Foundation of Positive Staff Relationships
Picture this: a newly formed team, a blank slate of a school, and a vision to create something extraordinary. That was my reality during...
mabrettell
Jan 204 min read
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More Than a Punchline: Why Menopause Deserves Respect
Growing up, most of learned about puberty and menstruation in school. It was presented as a biological milestone—unavoidable, universal,...
mabrettell
Jan 134 min read
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Staff Well-being: The Forgotten Festive Priority
Supporting Your Team To Avoid End-of-Term Burnout The irony never escaped me. While the rest of the UK was locked in the annual debate...
mabrettell
Dec 12, 20243 min read
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Belonging Beyond Tinsel"
Celebrating Diversity in Schools During the Festive Season. Christmas celebrations often dominate the end-of-term festivities, but this...
mabrettell
Dec 10, 20244 min read
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Santa Isn’t Coming… And That’s Okay
How Schools Can Make Gift-Related Activities Inclusive The festive season often brings a focus on gifts—what’s under the tree, what Santa...
mabrettell
Dec 9, 20243 min read
32 views
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Not-So-Jolly Holidays
How to Support Children Struggling During the Festive Season. For many children, the festive season isn’t full of joy and magic. The...
mabrettell
Dec 9, 20243 min read
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Speak Well, Lead Well: How Positive Communication Builds a Thriving School Culture
Creating connection, resilience, and inclusion—one conversation at a time. When I think back to my time as a head teacher, there is a...
mabrettell
Dec 2, 20244 min read
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Talk Less, Lead More: Effective Communication Strategies for School Leaders
Managing stress, balancing needs, and fostering healthy team dynamics during the busiest time of the year As the end of term approaches,...
mabrettell
Nov 25, 20243 min read
20 views
1 comment


The Lost Art of Talking: Rebuilding Communication Skills in Young People
Practical ways to help students find their voices again—and why it matters more than ever In recent years, schools have faced a growing...
mabrettell
Nov 18, 20243 min read
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More Than Words: Why Communication Skills Matter in Schools
Incorporating school values into everyday conversations to build a supportive, inclusive school culture In the busy world of schools,...
mabrettell
Nov 11, 20244 min read
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An Open Letter to School Leaders Who Worry About Not Being ‘Inclusive Enough’
I've been rather quiet on my website over the last 31 days, due to a project I undertook for Black History Month called 'Beyond Martin,...
mabrettell
Nov 1, 20243 min read
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The Real Deal: How Self-Reflection in Leadership Coaching Elevates Performance and Wellbeing
I remember being in the dining room of a school I led when I was a headteacher. I was doing lunch duty, as I did every day. As the last...
mabrettell
Sep 23, 20245 min read
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The Real Deal: How Building Relationships Helps Students Drop the Act.
A piece about the power of connecting with those we teach, with sincerity, curiosity and joy! I’ll never forget my very first formal...
mabrettell
Sep 18, 20244 min read
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The Great Bean Bag Rebellion: A Journey from Compliance to Connection
The importance of  leaders embedding inclusion as a vital and integral element of their school's culture When I became headteacher in my...
mabrettell
Sep 12, 20245 min read
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Finding My Headway: Authentic Leadership from the Heart
Leading authentically: Reconnecting with my Sincerity, Curiosity and Joy When I first stepped into the role of headteacher, I was filled...
mabrettell
Sep 3, 20245 min read
34 views
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Courage is contagious. Be the leader who inspires with bravery
A piece about boldness in leadership as a catalyst for freeing your team's creativity. I just received a lovely testimonial from a...
mabrettell
Aug 13, 20245 min read
99 views
1 comment
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