Name: Kausor Amin-Ali

Title: Principal

Organisation: Frontline International School, Ajman

School Principal and educator for more than two decades in the UK and UAE. Author of the A-Z School series. wwwazschool.info Award-winning Educational Influencer as Founder of All Children Read, a global not-for-profit organisation dedicated to eradicating childhood illiteracy.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Educational Leadership!

I hope Kausor's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as an Educational Leader?

The recent trends of very inexperienced school leaders across the sector, follow on from the wider issues in the staff workforce 'pipeline'.

2. How did you become an Educational Leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I didn't set out to become a Headteacher/Principal. I was happy being a Teacher of Mathematics and with my FA Football Coaching badges, to run a few school football teams. Circumstances changed in my first school, where SLT roles emerged and the scope to have more opportunities to support more children, beyond my classroom, across the school was very appealing.

With this in mind, I then sought further career development, to allow me now to develop senior school leaders who in turn support middle leaders who thus support teachers and the whole school student community in wanting the very best for all children: to be safe happy, and have success.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

Eat. Pray. Sleep! I guess and some important work in between of being a School Principal! In summary, it is approximately a 12-hour working day - including just around 90 minutes commute from home back to home. I spend just around 9 1/2 hours on the school site, usually and then an hour upon returning to check up on documents, e-mail communications, etc. Then I ensure 2-3 hours of family time before sleeping... though at present this family time is caught between my PhD commitments a couple of times a week.

4. What's a recent lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of as an Educational Leader?

In my current role, I have to ensure family time. Previous roles with inadequate line management, or insufficient systems and resources have resulted in working 14-hour days often 7 days a week. Whilst it felt important at that time, to put out fires and keep spinning the plates, ironically, being tired and instant messages/reactions to communications meant often incorrect decisions were made. This led to more effort to undo these errors of judgment.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your journey as an Educational Leader so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted you?

Leading for Equity: The investing in diversity approach by John P. Portelli and Rosemary Campbell-Stephens. It discusses one of the largest injustices facing the educators' landscape which is the underrepresentation in Headship/Principalship by ethnicity in many OECD economies.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young educator who aspires to be an Educational Leader, what would you say to them?

Stay authentic. Remember why you became a teacher, to make a difference to the children. This can be from your own passion for the subject or the need to develop character in loco parentis and in doing so ready the children for the world of work with a more socially just future. (Turner, S. 2016. Secondary Curriculum and Assessment Design. Bloomsbury) Don't follow trends or individuals just because it is currently being promoted or endorsed by others - many of whom are opportunists to seek favor, promotion, or some gain.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as an Educational Leader, so far?

Honestly, I would say, writing: To be able to share my journey, whether this is in the form of online posts, published articles, chapters, or whole books. The 'A-Z of School Leadership' was the best thing I ever did back in 2021 as it enabled me to reflect on a 'younger me' and to hopefully inspire future leaders. Just as I had a few great mentors, I hope others can also benefit from any words of wisdom I can share but also advocate for the disadvantaged wherever in the world.