Many people find talking about themselves awkward (many don’t!). If you’re someone who hides away from ‘putting yourself out there’, I hope that this month’s reflections might encourage you to share yourself more openly, and to enjoy the benefits this brings to both yourself and those around you.

Happy New Year! I‘m sure we’ll have all said and heard that phrase countless times by the end of the week. And it is the inspiration for these January reflections…

Education is one of the most judged professions: the behaviour and results of the children; the WhatsApp groups of their parents; the support & challenge of governors; the book scrutinies, lesson observations and classroom drop-ins; staffroom whispers, open days, results days, press reports, social media and of course the inspections, both for schools, and soon for trusts. It is high-stakes, high-pressure, high-profile.