The @ASCL_UK have been superb during the last six weeks. Their informative, timely and reassuring communication has been a real crutch to lean on in these difficult times. Above all @RealGeoffBarton’s personal touch and calm sense of humanity has shone through. A brief thread 1/n

3rd March “you are doing what leaders so often have to do - navigating through swirling confusion, taking the heat out of febrile talk of pandemics and crises, and doing all you can to keep pupils, staff and the community calmly informed.” 2/n

10th March “These are strange times. Wherever you’re reading this my guess is that you’re spending time doing what leaders do – navigating circumstances not of our making and trying to maintain a sense of calm purpose. Here at ASCL, we’re rooting for you.” 3/n

17th March “Many of your staff are going way beyond the call of duty…Despite your weariness, the anxiety of pupils and staff, the unnerving sense of not knowing where all this is leading us – you’re doing an extraordinary job in extraordinary times.” 4/n

19th March “Even in ordinary times, we know that leadership so often starts with ‘why?'…I thought it would be useful to address some of the questions you are likely to be encountering, and to help you articulate the ‘why’, as well as exploring the ‘what’ and the ‘how’.” 5/n

20th March “So, this may be a day which feels as if it’s going to be dominated by lists and logistics. In fact, I suspect we’ll remember it as a day of deep-rooted humanity – when we help them, the next generation, to play their part in a crisis that will one day pass.” 6/n

22nd March “As you’ll know, at ASCL we try not to send you too many emails, and especially not send them on a Sunday evening. But this is no ordinary Sunday evening, ahead of a week which will certainly be no ordinary week.” 7/n

23rd March “Meanwhile, here’s hoping the start to your week hasn’t been too stressful, and that new rhythms and routines begin to carry us through. And, as always, thanks for what you and your team of staff are doing. We’re proud to be associated with your work.” 8/n

24th March “Well, as Vladimir Lenin said: ‘There are decades where nothing happens, and there are weeks where decades happen.’ This is one of those weeks.” 9/n

(the Lenin quote is truly a classic of the Covid19 communications genera! Ed.)

26th March “It feels to us that this will be an opportunity to re-emphasise to parents/policymakers that we – the teaching profession – are experts in assessment, making ethical, informed decisions about a child’s ability, based on the myriad of information we already gather." 10

27th March “As the author Helen Keller taught us: 'It's OK to have butterflies in your stomach. Just get them to fly in formation.' Well done on your formation-flying over the past endless week.” 11/n

1st April “This morning I stumbled upon this quote from Winnie the Pooh, capturing that sense we’ve all rediscovered of how important the people in our lives are:

‘Pooh!’ he whispered.
‘Yes, Piglet?’
‘Nothing,’ said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. ‘I just wanted to be sure of you.’

This seems an appropriate point to finish, but I could go on with countless examples.

Really I would like to say if you are a school leader and not a member of @ASCL_UK you really should consider a change. Thank you to the whole team and especially @RealGeoffBarton. 13/13