In the last conversation of this mini-series Lesley Hill and Gemma Whitby discuss how easy it is to practise what you teach. We discuss how educators can model their mindset to inspire pupils, influence teachers and lead change.
We discuss how growth mindset shows up in their leadership through the themes of collaboration, trust and risk.
Lesley and Gemma detail their journey of implementing and leading others through change. Their shared experience as authors demonstrates just how they practise what they teach.
Don’t be afraid of changing what you’ve just changed in order to follow a better path.
Lesley Hill
Lesley Hill
Author and Trainer
Working as an adult literacy tutor back in the 80s inspired Lesley to train as a primary school teacher. She has always had a passion for understanding how children learn (or indeed fail) and, as a leader, has shared and explored ideas around questioning, pupil engagement, teacher expectation and formative assessment with her colleagues.
Lesley introduced Carol Dweck’s ideas of Growth Mindset to her school in 2012, following this up with staff training on learning behaviours. She has enjoyed extending this training to others both in the UK and in Paris.
In 2016, Lesley helped to create a marking approach, at Lavender Primary School, which both reduced teacher workload and improved children’s learning. This approach depended on the culture created in the school over the years. Her story, and the theory behind the school culture, is documented in the book ‘Fast Feedback’ by Bloomsbury Education, which she co-authored with Gemma Whitby.
Lesley also has a keen interest in what makes ‘effective leadership’ and has developed and facilitated a range of school leadership and headship training courses.
Although retired from executive school leadership, Lesley enjoys delivering education training on a freelance basis.
Try new things, explore different challenges and then you can improve and get better.
Gemma Whitby
Gemma Whitby
Educational Consultant and Author
Gemma Whitby has a Masters in Teaching and Learning and has experience as a classroom teacher, middle leader and senior leader, as well as in leading primary science training courses.
She is co-author of the book ‘Fast Feedback’, with Lesley Hill. In her role as an education consultant, for The Ivy Learning Trust, Gemma passionately shares the approach with others to reduce teacher workload and increase staff wellbeing whilst simultaneously improving outcomes for pupils.
It was during the writing process, that Gemma truly realised the importance of ‘mindset’: for pupils when evaluating their own learning and accepting criticism from others, but also for leaders if they are to implement the change successfully in their settings.
Gemma is married, with two children.
Highlights:
- 17:27 Collaboration, trust and risk
- 25:12 Managing change
- 37:07 Resilience
- 48:15 Feedback
- 50:55 Leadership values
Books:
- Fast Feedback: How one primary school abolished written marking by Lesley Hill and Gemma Whitby
- Principle Centred Leadership by Stephen R. Covey
Resources:
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