September 2021

Captain Picard vs Headteachers – Resistance to Leadership Is Futile

Captain Jean-Luc Picard is one of the most enduring TV characters of the last 30 years. Introduced to television audiences in the 1980’s, Picard went on to personify integrity, honesty, values and principles. He was the quintessential gentleman; a widely read and well educated man of interest and ambition. He was charismatic and charming, and had an awe and wonder about him.
He was seen in a highly skilled job that presented multi-facted challenges and difficulties. He was an ambassador, an explorer, a diplomat, a fighter, a politician, a statesman, a sage, a guide, and a father figure. In many ways, Picard was the ultimate leader; well-liked, respected and highly regarded. He achieved all of this against the backdrop of inter-species differences, inter-galactic disputes, long term strategic objectives and short-term requirements to fire-fight.
In this blog, author Max Kelly examines the leadership lessons that headteachers can learn from this enigmatic starship captain.

A year in the life of a school

Week 3: Absences Make The Heart Go Faster

In the third of an ongoing series of blogs for the 2021-2022 academic year, Executive Headteacher Max Kelly captures his week working in primary schools in the Isle of Man. As the year goes on he hopes his blogs will paint a picture of a “Year In The Life Of A School”….

IOM General Election 2021 Trade Unions

Education Hustings # 4: Ramsey

The Isle of Man General Election takes place on Thursday 23rd September 2021 with all seats in the House of Keys in contention. In the run up to the General Election, the Isle of Man Branch of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has organised a series of hustings around several of the island’s constituencies which will focus on schools and education. NAHT IOM want to shine a spotlight on education throughout the election to ensure it sits with prominence on the agenda of all prospective MHKs seeking election. The branch has produced its own “manifesto for education” and has challenged the candidates to “pledge” their support to their cause. As the Branch Secretary for NAHT IOM, Max Kelly will be present at each of the four hustings events over the course of the week.

A year in the life of a school

Week 2: Tram-endous Visit Shows We’re On The Right Tracks

In the second of an ongoing series of blogs for the 2021-2022 academic year, Executive Headteacher Max Kelly captures his week working in primary schools in the Isle of Man. As the year goes on he hopes his blogs will paint a picture of a “Year In The Life Of A School”….

IOM General Election 2021 Trade Unions

Education Hustings # 3: Douglas East

The Isle of Man General Election takes place on Thursday 23rd September 2021 with all seats in the House of Keys in contention. In the run up to the General Election, the Isle of Man Branch of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has organised a series of hustings around several of the island’s constituencies which will focus on schools and education. NAHT IOM want to shine a spotlight on education throughout the election to ensure it sits with prominence on the agenda of all prospective MHKs seeking election. The branch has produced its own “manifesto for education” and has challenged the candidates to “pledge” their support to their cause. As the Branch Secretary for NAHT IOM, Max Kelly will be present at each of the four hustings events over the course of the week.

IOM General Election 2021 Trade Unions

Education Hustings # 2: Arbory, Castletown and Malew

The Isle of Man General Election takes place on Thursday 23rd September 2021 with all seats in the House of Keys in contention. In the run up to the General Election, the Isle of Man Branch of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has organised a series of hustings around several of the island’s constituencies which will focus on schools and education. NAHT IOM want to shine a spotlight on education throughout the election to ensure it sits with prominence on the agenda of all prospective MHKs seeking election. The branch has produced its own “manifesto for education” and has challenged the candidates to “pledge” their support to their cause. As the Branch Secretary for NAHT IOM, Max Kelly will be present at each of the four hustings events over the course of the week.