People who lead

Two leaders talk about their jobs Magic weaving, messy learning and 'relationships, relationships, relationships'

When you listen to Katie Tomlinson and Stephen Priest talk about what they do for a living, you realise that school leadership is all about people.

They discuss the influences on their careers (Sir John Jones, Sir Alex Clegg and a 'school head who saw something in me that I did not see in myself'), the nerves that never quite go away, the 'messy business' that is learning and the importance of dropping into classrooms without any kind of agenda and then just having a conversation 'rather than grading the lesson'.

These are real people who value relationships above all else and who are willing to empower them to make their own mistakes and consequently feel proud of their own successes.

In the course of the conversation they also learn from each other . . .

Katie Tomlinson is Head of Primary at Sri KDU International School, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and is just about to take up the position of Head of Primary School at the British School Manila. 

Stephen Priest, is the Principal of the British International School of Tbilisi and Chair of Black Sea Schools Group.