What do schools really know about their readers?
In this episode of Headship After Hours, Paul is joined by Steve Willshaw to explore reading culture, literacy leadership, school transition and the importance of recognising the rich reading histories that pupils bring with them into secondary education.
Most heads aren't short on effort when it comes to attendance.
The harder truth: so much of it often rests on one or two people — and when that's the case, it never feels steady, however hard everyone works.
That's the work I do. I run a funded Senior Attendance & Leadership Resilience Check for headteachers and trust leaders in complex schools.
It starts with a short strategic assessment. For eligible schools, it opens into a full process:
- On-site school visit
- Detailed, school-specific report
- Follow-up strategy session
- Practical leadership tools for a clear 90-day plan
Typically valued at £1,000 — currently funded for eligible schools.
Apply here → https://atrejwhi.formester.com/f/hwL9GCyin/
In this episode, Steve shares the story behind the nationally recognised Rooted in Reading project and explains why reading passports, transition work and intellectual equity matter more than ever in today's schools. Together, they discuss how schools can create stronger reading cultures, support literacy development and ensure that young people are not treated as blank slates when they move between phases of education.
The conversation also explores Steve's four leadership pillars:
• Radical Simplicity
• Intellectual Equity
• Relational Agency
• Professional Craft
Alongside a deep dive into Functional Fluency, coaching, behaviour, relationships and how educators can move from reacting to responding.
This episode is for headteachers, literacy leaders, English teachers, curriculum leaders and anyone passionate about reading, equity and school improvement.
🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, culture, attendance, behaviour and sustainable school improvement.
00:00 – The Reading Histories Schools Miss
01:12 – Steve Willshaw’s Journey Into Education
03:03 – Inclusivity, Equity and Early Leadership Lessons
05:26 – Keeping Leadership Simple
06:43 – The Four Leadership Pillars
08:32 – The Story Behind Rooted in Reading
12:53 – Reading Passports and Literacy Culture
16:24 – Why Reading Transition Matters
19:30 – Professional Craft and School Context
20:31 – What Is Functional Fluency?
25:11 – Radical Simplicity Explained
26:20 – Intellectual Equity and Ambitious Curriculum
30:41 – Relational Agency in Schools
32:34 – Professional Craft and Teacher Development
36:32 – The Functionally Fluent Teacher
43:31 – Steve’s Advice for School Leaders
46:20 – Respond More, React Less
#HeadshipAfterHours #Literacy #SchoolLeadership #ReadingForPleasure #EducationPodcast
#SchoolImprovement #Curriculum #ReadingCulture #Transition #SteveWillshaw
