In this episode, Claire meets with Mungo Sheppard, Headteacher at Ash Green Primary School in Halifax and a National Leader of Education. Mungo talks about how his career has developed from volunteering at a local primary school to qualifying as a teacher and then getting a job at Ash Green where he has remained ever since.   As well as overseeing the growth of Ash Green Primary School, which now involves leading two split-sites, Mungo has also been a National Leader of Education and is a firm believer in sharing good practice and collaborative working helping other schools and leaders.   Over the course of his career in teaching, Mungo has seen significant changes both locally in and around his school, but also in the wider educational landscape. He discusses how these changes have had both negative impacts, but also some positive benefits, and how his school, and his outlook on education, has likewise changed over time.     KEY TAKEAWAYS

The current funding difficulties faced by schools are compounded by a lack of funding in many other areas.Although the lack of funding to schools is causing significant issues with staffing and resources, it is being exacerbated by a lack of funding to councils and social care organisations. The costs of these services, which in many cases were at one time free, are either non-existent, very difficult to come by, or are no longer free. The additional or rising costs of services still have to be met by schools who are already struggling. Poorly funded social care services are also having a knock-on effect where schools are finding it almost impossible to support families due to a lack of services.
Funding problems are making teacher recruitment and retention much more challenging where some teachers realise that the job is ‘not what they signed up for’.Keeping new teachers in the job has, historically, always been difficult with a certain percentage leaving within three years. However, at the moment, it is much harder with more teachers than ever finding that the core job – teaching a class of children – is made much more challenging and exhausting because of all of the additional tasks and increased workload that comes with the role.
Change can be good.Education is an ever-changing field to work in, and almost all of the people who work in schools expect this. Things will change all the time, even for those teachers and leaders who don’t change jobs or schools. However, these changes can be really positive if they are framed and viewed as development opportunities – which they can regularly be - and should be seized as a way to grow as a teacher or leader.
Leaders being ‘around and about’ in their schools is essential.Leaders regularly being in classrooms and around their schools is really useful, not just for the leaders who get to see what’s going on day-to-day and keep themselves in sync with their schools, but also for the teachers and children who get to see that the leaders are not detached from the daily life of the organisation. Pupils’ behaviour can be improved, and teachers will see leaders’ presence as a positive rather than an observation or monitoring activity to be worried about.Where leaders are able to take on a teaching commitment can also be hugely beneficial because they can keep abreast of developments in education and be more aware of what is going on around them.
Developing good middle and senior leaders is key for Headteachers.Schools cannot just rely on a handful of key members of staff. At any point, people can move on, so getting well-run systems in place, and maintaining them, is vital for a school to succeed. Good middle and senior leaders are also important for keeping the Headteacher up-to-date and keeping an overview of what is happening in the school.
Schools are more outward looking and more willing to share good practice than ever before.Sharing good practice is essential. Linking with and working collaboratively with other good and outstanding schools is v