Twitter

23/05/25

In Reception this term we’ve been exploring farming and finding out about where our food comes from. We made our own butter and bread. pic.twitter.com/vpnh6Xg9Ae— Pyrford C of E Primary School () May 23, 2025

27/01/25

🌟 Exciting Opportunity for Teachers in the Middle East! 🌟 📅 When: February 28th – March 2nd, 2025 📍 Where: Radisson Blu, Media City, Dubai, UAE 🔗 Find out more and register now at https://t.co/BVt3blcgZG or via this link#TeachBack — Kings College () January 27, 2025

24/01/25

Jo White, Headteacher at Burpham Primary School had a rat problem!! This got her thinking about how teamwork is a sure-fire route to success. Have a read and find out how Jo dealt with her furry friend. https://t.co/oHglxQEtPA pic.twitter.com/lG64IusA6j

10/01/25

Congratulations to for being the highest climber in the region in the Fairer Schools Index, climbing a whopping 1410 places. A school that keeps getting better and better, due to hard work & commitment of the community. https://t.co/bgSzLmznno pic.twitter.com/spgptJ8c3N

10/01/25

Happy New Year to all! We are all very pleased to be back at work after an exhausting festive break! We are looking at 2025 with excitement regarding plans for growth and improvement. Read our welcome back message to colleagues https://t.co/35kgmL3YHF pic.twitter.com/OWxOMEelQI

08/01/25

RT : Great to see on . A fabulous school recruiting dedicated teachers.

08/01/25

Delighted to see featuring on on Monday night. A fabulous school committed to training and recruiting dedicated teachers. https://t.co/zROIaPHLGS

08/01/25

Great to see on . A fabulous school recruiting dedicated teachers. https://t.co/DgEHJTCbYL— Learning Partners () January 8, 2025

07/01/25

RT : Huge thanks to the team at George Abbot School in Guildford who…

06/01/25

So excited to see these teachers, trained by George Abbot, the secondary partner of , on tonight's . Tune in to find out why teaching is the best job & contact scitt.org.uk/01252 717408 to make the change yourself! Thanks https://t.co/XdERRjlXkd— SSF SCITT () January 6, 2025

06/01/25

Huge thanks to the team at George Abbot School in Guildford who hosted Antony, Miles and the BBC film crew. Great school and great teachers.— NowTeach () January 6, 2025

06/01/25

News! 📺 Now Teach is on tonight at 7pm. Tune in as meets Anthony and Miles who are becoming teachers after decades in other sectors, and hear from about why career-change teachers are so important. pic.twitter.com/HjhVHZJvMP— NowTeach () January 6, 2025

23/12/24

Our CEO, Jack Mayhew, recorded an end of term message for all colleagues across the trust which included Christmas greetings from some special guests. Take a look! https://t.co/vWwWFeaKrI pic.twitter.com/4xR3j9bq8Y

23/12/24

Jack, our CEO recorded an end of term message for all colleagues across the trust. We've had a great term. Take a look. https://t.co/mAn9N5OYju

21/12/24

We have launched a podcast series covering all matters relating to estates and school maintenance. Great to listen to whilst on the go and to pick up tips and knowledge from our expert estates teams across the schools. Catch it here https://t.co/xrG8putHK8 pic.twitter.com/W2mRAC7x8X

20/12/24

Season's Greetings to one and all. We hope this festive season brings you peace and joy. Thanks to our artists - Rylee , Aakanshya , Althea and Zoe pic.twitter.com/dLhnT4OTzt

Twitter

The Latest News

Two ears and one mouth - for a reason

12th October 2020

The old adage ‘we have two ears and one mouth, for a reason’ is one that leaders at all levels can look to embrace more often. I know I need to remember this more often than I currently do. We can become all to obsessed with directive styles of leadership, falling into the trap of providing all the answers, when on many occasions leadership needs to manifest itself differently.

As I tour round schools, socially distant, I am reminded by observing our headteachers, business leaders, teachers and governors that leadership is not always about issuing instruction. Indeed, in this autumn term like no other, the time for communicating regulations and local arrangements has faded slightly. At the start of term, quite rightly, school communities needed direction and clarity. As circumstances change within schools this requirement remains. However, I have noticed a depth of leadership within our schools that is also required, and two weeks before half term, is perhaps required more than ever. Listening. Presence.

Blog2Listening and presence are two unsung but critical factors in effective leadership. Shoe leather is thin on the ground in our leaders’ shoes currently. We are seeking to provide a constant presence in our schools, a calming figure on the playground at drop-off, a supportive smile on playground duty and a nod of encouragement before a colleague presents at leadership team, a governors meeting or an on-line parent forum. We are being present. Our school communities need this. Walking alongside is just as much a leadership action as leading from the front.

Often this shared path and side-by-side leadership requires us to listen more than we speak. We are all aware that the challenge for teachers in the classroom is real and palpable currently. The continuous classroom movement lesson by lesson and day by day, often but not uniquely, by our secondary colleagues, is exhausting. The sharing of lesson resources online and in the classroom is new. It is appropriate and being undertaken without question, but it is different and occupies ‘bandwidth’ amongst our staff. We recognise this effort. We appreciate this effort. As leaders we stand beside and listen. Staff aren’t always after solutions, or quick wins. They are after solidarity. They need presence and someone to listen.

This week sees us begin more structured listening. As we consider the future direction of the Trust and explore a potential future relationship with GEP we are seeking to be consultative listeners. In our Headteacher and Business Manager meetings this week we are looking to ask what it is that we need to consider and remember what makes Athena, Athena. Our JGC representatives are canvassing LGB opinions and perspectives. Do we want to come together as Trusts? What might be the benefits and what might be the risks? Is this a path we wish to take? This activity is going to be undertaken with a variety of stakeholders across the coming weeks so to allow the broad to effectively listen and consider the direction of our next strategic challenge. Thank you all for taking part.

We have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Sometimes the balance of twice as much listening and speaking gets lost. For now, we remember to lead through presence and listening. Have a good week and get those ears working.

Jack Mayhew, Executive Headteacher  Athena Schools Trust

Categories

Authors

Latest Tweets

  • January 24, 2025 Jo White, Headteacher at Burpham Primary School had a rat problem!! This got her thinking about how teamwork is a sure-fire route to success. Have a read and find out how Jo dealt with her furry friend. Read more pic.twitter.com/lG64IusA6j
  • January 10, 2025 Congratulations to for being the highest climber in the region in the Fairer Schools Index, climbing a whopping 1410 places. A school that keeps getting better and better, due to hard work & commitment of the community. Read more pic.twitter.com/spgptJ8c3N
  • January 10, 2025 Happy New Year to all! We are all very pleased to be back at work after an exhausting festive break! We are looking at 2025 with excitement regarding plans for growth and improvement. Read our welcome back message to colleagues Read more pic.twitter.com/OWxOMEelQI
  • January 8, 2025 Delighted to see featuring on on Monday night. A fabulous school committed to training and recruiting dedicated teachers. Read more
  • January 8, 2025 Great to see on . A fabulous school recruiting dedicated teachers. Read more
  • December 23, 2024 Our CEO, Jack Mayhew, recorded an end of term message for all colleagues across the trust which included Christmas greetings from some special guests. Take a look! Read more pic.twitter.com/4xR3j9bq8Y
  • December 23, 2024 Jack, our CEO recorded an end of term message for all colleagues across the trust. We've had a great term. Take a look. Read more
  • December 21, 2024 We have launched a podcast series covering all matters relating to estates and school maintenance. Great to listen to whilst on the go and to pick up tips and knowledge from our expert estates teams across the schools. Catch it here Read more pic.twitter.com/W2mRAC7x8X
  • December 20, 2024 Season's Greetings to one and all. We hope this festive season brings you peace and joy. Thanks to our artists - Rylee , Aakanshya , Althea and Zoe pic.twitter.com/dLhnT4OTzt
  • December 20, 2024 Our parent/carer newsletter has been published. Grab a cuppa, a mince pie and have a read Read more pic.twitter.com/pTRNwnrAno
  • November 22, 2024 We are recruiting for a Project Management Officer. We'd love to hear from you. Read more pic.twitter.com/FosquebBwr
  • November 7, 2024 We were absolutely delighted to welcome our Regional Director, Dame Kate Dethridge and team leader Sara McClure to the trust this week and to demonstrate the exceptional work going on and . Thank you to for the delicious lunch!