Insights
We regularly produce articles that we hope will inform, inspire, and provide insights into school strategy and leadership.
Can a Chatbot Save You from Compliance Chaos?
AI won’t fix your compliance culture—but it can illuminate it. With over 250 regulations governing schools, leaders need help. Custom GPTs offer clarity, consistency, and time-saving support, turning compliance from a burden into a strategic asset.
Break the Rules — Reward School Project Teams to Disrupt and Innovate
Most schools still reward project teams with outdated systems that stifle innovation. Agile schools are changing the game with sprints, gamification, and peer recognition — shifting from box-ticking to bold contribution. It’s time to break old rules and reward creativity that drives change.
The Forgotten Strategy Step: Why Schools Don’t Learn From Past Plans
Most schools draft new strategic plans without reviewing the last one, thus repeating mistakes and ignoring progress. Using Richard Rumelt’s strategy criteria and the After Action Review (AAR), schools can turn reflection into a strategic advantage—learning from the past to build smarter plans.
We Just Need More Funding - Why Money Alone Won't Fix a Broken Strategy
Schools often believe more funding is the key to success, but the real challenge lies in focus and strategy. Unchecked growth and scattered priorities dilute impact, while strategic discipline, resource efficiency, and unconventional revenue streams drive real change.
Vision Statements vs. Reality: Why Your School’s Strategy Feels Like Wishful Thinking
Vision and Mission statements often blur into corporate wallpaper—nice to look at but not useful. A vision should be an inspiring glimpse of future success, while a mission defines the path to get there. This post unpacks how to make them practical, ensuring they drive real decisions and impact.
The Myth of the ‘Perfect’ Strategic Plan: Why Overplanning Kills Progress
Schools often overplan, creating rigid strategies that quickly become obsolete. Instead, they should embrace agile methods—using sprints, scrums, and lead measures—to stay adaptable. Thinking in 30-year scenarios ensures long-term flexibility. Progress comes from responsiveness, not perfection.
Why Schools Publish Their Strategic Plans and Why It Matters
Schools publish strategic plans to outline their vision, priorities, and commitments, but should public and internal versions differ? While transparency builds trust, overly detailed timelines can create unrealistic expectations. Balancing openness with flexible, effective execution is the key.
Are School Leaders Supporting the Right to Disconnect?
Are school leaders truly embracing Australia’s Right to Disconnect law? Supporting staff in setting boundaries can improve well-being, retention, and work culture. But how do schools balance this with operational needs? Explore how smart workload management and delegation can make a real difference.
Disrupting the Status Quo: How Mid-Tier Schools Can Challenge High-Fee Alternatives
High-fee schools don’t have a monopoly on quality education. Mid-tier schools can disrupt the market by cutting unnecessary costs, leveraging smart technology, and focusing on value-driven learning. By operating leaner and more strategically, they can offer excellence without the premium price.
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