Creating Value in Schools

Optimism and opportunity: creating an income generation culture

‘You never know what’s out there until you try.’ 
Justin Smith, specialist in marketing and income generation support for schools, shares lessons learned on the path to fundraising and shows why relationships matter.
Culture and leadership matter. If school leaders and governors are on board, everything else becomes easier.
Cash isn’t the only win. Income generation includes donations, partnerships, skills, volunteer time – even equipment loans.
It’s all about relationships. People give when they care. Build connections, understand motivations, and let others feel part of the school’s success story.
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Listening to the community: diversity and inclusion strategies for lasting impact

'So if you're not listening, then you know, what are you doing?'
How do you drive real change in schools through DEI? Aldaine Wynter, Director of International-Mindedness, Diversity and Inclusion, shares his journey, strategies, and the impact of meaningful community engagement.
Suggestions from Aldaine
Start by listening. Before diving into big initiatives, take time to understand your school community’s needs. 
Make DEI part of the culture. Whether it’s curriculum audits, book clubs, or community spotlights, integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into school life, not just one-off events.
Use data to drive change. Surveys and evaluations help track progress and inform strategy. Combine hard data with personal conversations to ensure meaningful, lasting impact.
Be adaptable and persistent. Different schools and communities require different approaches. You might meet resistance, but find ways to connect the work to what matters most to each person.
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Call them honest: conversations to empower, understand and resolve

'It’s about developing a relationship, it's about developing somebody's work, it's about the truth.'
Do you dread tough conversations? Nickii Messer shares how to reframe them as ‘honest conversations’, build trust, and keep a focus on what matters – the life chances and wellbeing of children in the school. 
Top tips from Nickii:
Avoidance makes it worse
Listen to understand, not just to fix
Believe in yourself and take action.
Find out more on the Creating Value in Schools blog

Enjoy what you do: hope, joy and staying power

Give people an experience that they genuinely enjoy, so they want to stick around.
What keeps people in the teaching profession? Headteachers Josephine Smith and Carl Smith discuss staying power, joy and why retention matters.
Finding joy in the job keeps people in education long-term.
Staying power comes from feeling like you’re doing well and making a difference.
Stay curious. Keep reading and engaging with education.
Find out more on the Creating Value in Schools blog

Looking ahead: what can we expect from education policy in the upcoming year?

There’s a lot in the air, and a lot on the table.
Caroline Doherty, Head of Public Affairs at Ark, considers potential changes ahead.
What’s happening with the Ofsted report cards?
What are the implications for accountability systems?
What does it mean to have a truly inclusive education system, and do we have the workforce to provide it?
Do we have a reason to be cheerful in Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson?
Get more inspiration from the Creating Value in Schools blog.

You can't turn off the machine: investing time in school leadership

Caroline Doherty, Head of Public Affairs at Ark, reflects on the challenge of balancing innovation and improvement alongside the daily realities of school life. 
Tips from Caroline
You can't do everything. Recognise limits and embrace the unpredictability of school life.
Prioritise your time. Identify your key goals and align your daily actions to move them forward. 
Meetings aren't always the answer. Explore alternatives like shared documents or messaging systems to save time.
Flexible leadership works. Empowering teams with autonomy can improve retention, decision-making, and overall effectiveness – part-time senior leadership is possible with the right structure.
Find out more on the Creating Value in Schools blog. 

Seeking the co-benefits: people, planet – and financial efficiency

Chief Finance and Sustainability Officer Paul Edmond explains why asking questions is essential to a sustainability journey – but ‘can we afford it?’ is now last on his list. 
Tips from Paul
Sustainability is everyone's job. Tackling climate action in schools isn't about one person or department – it’s a team effort. Engage everyone and start conversations to bring people on board.
Quick wins are within reach. Small steps like reducing food and energy waste can cut costs and carbon footprints.
Look for co-benefits. Many actions, like improving biodiversity or rethinking school uniforms, offer multiple wins – environmental, financial, and social. 
Education is part of the solution. Greening the curriculum is key, but do it thoughtfully to inspire behaviour change without causing climate anxiety. 
Collaboration is critical. Tap into free resources and networks. Learn from others’ successes and mistakes to accelerate your sustainability journey.
Find out more on the Creating Value in Schools blog. 

Keep going: routes to sustainable improvement and finding your why

Paul K. Ainsworth shares his strategies for a sustainable, step-by-step, people-centred approach to school improvement. 
Tips from Paul
Be adaptable: there’s no one-size fits all approach to school improvement. Consider what’s needed for your context. 
Be consistent: consistency in schools is about a shared understanding and approach, rather than making everything identical.  
Be people-centred: evaluate with honesty, plan with empathy, execute with confidence and review with humility. 
Be a coach: your most important role is helping others improve, whether it's headteachers, senior leaders, or teachers. 
Think marginal gains, not silver bullets: there are no quick fixes. Focus on small, incremental improvements to create lasting, sustainable change. 
Find out more on Creating Value in Schools blog. 

The art of balance: survival skills for school leaders

How do you stay sane in the intensity of school leadership? In the second part of our conversation, Josephine Smith talks about knowing your priorities, knowing yourself and fostering balance. 
Tips from Jo:
Start with clear priorities: Use your school’s vision and development plan as a guide. 
Don’t get distracted: Politely delay less urgent requests, balancing the needs of others with your priorities. 
Manage your stress: Invest in mental health training for staff to better support themselves and each other.
Know your strengths: Be self-aware. Recognise when to delegate tasks and let your team shine. 
Practice self-care: Live out the work-life balance advice you give others. 
Find out more on the Creating Value in Schools blog.

Navigating the unexpected: advice for school leaders

A flexible, responsive school leader is going to stay so much saner.
Headteacher Josephine Smith shares what she’s learned about maintaining poise and positivity in the face of things you can’t control.
Top tips from Jo:
Accept that not everything in school leadership can be controlled. Unexpected events are part of the role! 
Embrace creativity when facing uncontrollable challenges. Try and view these moments as opportunities to think creatively and adapt.
Build a supportive professional network to share resources, seek advice and generate solutions. 
A strong network not only helps with practical problem-solving but also reduces the isolation that can come with being a headteacher. 
Find out more on the Creating Value in Schools blog.