Name: Simon Ascroft

Title: Headteacher

Organisation: Wirral Grammar School for Boys

I have taught for 30 years in a range of state-funded schools. I am a Geographer and have held roles as Head of Year, Head of Geography, Head of Humanities Faculty, Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and have been a Headteacher at 2 different schools.

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

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

Budgets are a constant challenge. We strive on a daily basis to achieve best value for money, yet many decisions are limited due to financial constraints - when you consider that we are educating young people, this feels morally wrong.

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

Like many undergraduates, I had no real idea what I wanted to do when I left university... so another year taking a PGCE sounded like a good plan, and here I am 30 years later!

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

I am an early-riser and like to get into the office as soon as possible to get on top of my day. The day is determined by the meetings that I have booked in, but I do prefer to morning meetings to those after lunch. I always take the opportunity to walk around the school at least once during a day, and like most Headteachers, I am on duty outside at lunch and help with the bus queues at the end of the day. I usually stay to tidy any items up and am out of the gates by 6pm, although my abject lack of productivity after 5pm suggests that maybe I should leave sooner!

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

I am reminded on a daily basis that the best ideas come from others within the organisation. Listening is important, but hearing what people say is crucial.

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?

I have never really taken the time to read books on the subject of educational leadership, although I am sure that there are some great ones out there. I prefer to magpie ideas from snippets of journal articles or thoughts that pop up on social media timelines. If I was to identify a book that has had a big impact on me in terms of making me a more rounded, empathetic leader, then it would be 'In Europe - Travels through the twentieth century' by Dutch author and journalist, Geert Mak. I am about to start the follow-up, 'The Dream of Europe: Travels in the Twenty-First Century'. We have much to learn from each other across different nations and Mak provides fascinating details that give places a taste, a face, a smell.

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?

Lead from the back and survey the landscape ahead of your team so that you can step up front when its needed. Lead without ego and try to learn something new every day. Always say sorry if you are wrong, and always let others take the credit when things go well.

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

I plan to write a book at some stage so I cannot possibly give away the best stories!