“What are you prepared to give up in order to have what you truly want?” 10th anniversary blog

“What are you prepared to give up in order to have what you truly want?” 10th anniversary blog

Jan 12, 2025 | Business, Leadership, Partnerships, Professional development, Science, Updates

10 year anniversary blog – what I’ve loved and learned about being a freelance consultant, and some tips for anyone considering a similar move. “What are you prepared to give up in order to have what you truly want?” This question changed my life. It was on a wall calendar in 2013 and prompted my move away from classroom-based teaching towards consultancy, with considerable soul-searching along the way. In short, it launched Astin Consulting which last term, unbelievably, celebrated its 10th birthday. So what did I give up? A...
The affliction (or affection) of the earworm – and spurious connections.

The affliction (or affection) of the earworm – and spurious connections.

Oct 7, 2024 | Updates

Do you ever wonder why tunes can sometimes get stuck in your head uninvited and seem impossible to shift? This weekend the earworm visited on me set off a cascade of connected thoughts – of only passing relevance to education, or partnerships, or science, but perhaps you’ll indulge me for the sake of some alluring music? I came back from an international conference last week with some new contacts, memorable experiences and an earworm I’ve not been able to shift all week. It started with some in-flight noise-cancelling playlists and since...
When I grow up I want to be…?

When I grow up I want to be…?

Sep 2, 2024 | Business, Partnerships, Primary, Professional development, Secondary, Updates

My 17 year-old son came home from school last term with the (presumably AI-generated) results of his careers questionnaire. He’s not really sure what he wants to be when he grows up, maybe designer or diplomat. Though right now it’s all about more immediate university and gap year decisions. So, what did the careers questionnaire reveal as his top two profile matches? Circus performer or head of state. Yup. Those two well-known ‘careers’. Needless to say this has generated considerable family hilarity – both the...
Building a strategy for partnerships in 7 steps: built-in, not bolt-on

Building a strategy for partnerships in 7 steps: built-in, not bolt-on

Nov 7, 2023 | Communication, Leadership, Partnerships, Primary, Professional development, Secondary, Updates

This article was written for the Independent Schools Council website and also appeared on the Schools Together website in November 2023. It’s easy to see how some view partnerships with state schools as nice to have but non-essential. Historically, many such collaborations developed from individual passions and goodwill.  But some schools are taking a more strategic approach. They have aligned partnerships with their school aims and ethos and have embedded partnerships in their school development plans, aware of how much impact they bring....