The 12 Days of Christmas


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John Dabell

I trained as a primary school teacher 25 years ago, starting my career in London and then I taught in a range of schools in the Midlands. In between teaching jobs, I worked as an Ofsted inspector (no hate mail please!), national in-service provider, project...
Read more about John Dabell

What does the twelve days of Christmas look like in your school?

It’s Christmas, so here is a little light-hearted fun for some seasonal cheer …

On the First day of Christmas, my Headteacher gave to me, a bullet-proof ‘no marking policy’!

On the Second day of Christmas, my Headteacher gave to me, two copies of ‘Mark. Plan. Teach’ and a bullet-proof ‘no marking policy’!

On the Third day of Christmasmy Headteacher gave to me, three evidence-based interventions, two copies of ‘Mark. Plan. Teach’ and a bullet-proof ‘no marking policy’!

On the Fourth day of Christmas, my Headteacher gave to me, four relaxation exercises, three evidence-based interventions, two copies of ‘Mark. Plan. Teach’ and a bullet-proof ‘no marking policy’!

On the Fifth day of Christmas, my Headteacher gave to me, five tips for NQTs, four relaxation exercises, three evidence-based interventions, two copies of ‘Mark. Plan. Teach’ and a bullet-proof ‘no marking policy’!

On the Sixth day of Christmas, my Headteacher gave to me, six steps to create effective seating plans, five tips for NQTs, four relaxation exercises, three evidence-based interventions, two copies of ‘Mark. Plan. Teach’ and a bullet-proof ‘no marking policy’!

On the Seventh day of Christmas, my Headteacher gave to me, seven deadly leadership sins, six steps to create effective seating plans, five tips for NQTs, four relaxation exercises, three evidence-based interventions, two copies of ‘Mark. Plan. Teach’ and a bullet-proof ‘no marking policy’!

On the Eighth day of Christmas, my Headteacher gave to me, eight strategies for happier classrooms, seven deadly leadership sins, six steps to create effective seating plans, five tips for NQTs, four relaxation exercises, three evidence-based interventions, two copies of ‘Mark. Plan. Teach’ and a bullet-proof ‘no marking policy’!

On the Ninth day of Christmas, my Headteacher gave to me, nine questions I can’t answer, eight strategies for happier classrooms, seven deadly leadership sins, six steps to create effective seating plans, five tips for NQTs, four relaxation exercises, three evidence-based interventions, two copies of ‘Mark. Plan. Teach’ and a bullet-proof ‘no marking policy’!

On the Tenth day of Christmas, my Headteacher gave to me, ten ways to demotivate teachers, nine questions I can’t answer, eight strategies for happier classrooms, seven deadly leadership sins, six steps to create effective seating plans, five tips for NQTs, four relaxation exercises, three evidence-based interventions, two copies of ‘Mark. Plan. Teach’ and a bullet-proof ‘no marking policy’!

On the Eleventh day of Christmas, my Headteacher gave to me, eleven damaging budget cuts, ten ways to demotivate teachers, nine questions I can’t answer, eight strategies for happier classrooms, seven deadly leadership sins, six steps to create effective seating plans, five tips for NQTs, four relaxation exercises, three evidence-based interventions, two copies of ‘Mark. Plan. Teach’ and a bullet-proof ‘no marking policy’!

On the Twelfth day of Christmas, my Headteacher gave to me, twelve-hour-days working, eleven damaging budget cuts, ten ways to demotivate teachers, nine questions I can’t answer, eight strategies for happier classrooms, seven deadly leadership sins, six steps to create effective seating plans, five tips for NQTs, four relaxation exercises, three evidence-based interventions, two copies of ‘Mark. Plan. Teach’ and a bullet-proof ‘no marking policy’!

Fancy coding The Twelve Days of Christmas in a doorbell style using Sonic Pi? Head over to www.raspberrypi.org to find out more.

Image: RaspberryPi

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