Headteacher Jude Enright says ASCL Council does some incredibly important work for education. Here, she shares her passion for school leadership, Council and ‘management by walking about’.

Walking the walk

Tell us about your role 

I’m Headteacher of Queens Park Community School Academy Trust, an inclusive and diverse comprehensive school with 1,300 students aged 11–19 in Brent, North West London. Our school is proud of our community links, strongly believing the adage, “It takes a village to raise a child.” This includes charities and agencies that support our young people, and also parents; our local, national and global partners; and our diverse alumni who are great role models and return and support our students. 

Why did you decide to become an ASCL Council member? 

Having joined ASCL Council in September 2022, I joined the Leadership and Governance Committee. Spending our first October session with inspirational school and trust leaders discussing the future of inspection was incredibly important. This work helped inform the thinking of Ofsted, the DfE and the Labour party, especially as we move into the next era with a new chief inspector being appointed this summer. It was also a privilege to hear about the work of National Leaders of Governance (NLG) from Emma Knights, CEO of the National Governance Association. 

Why did you decide to get into teaching/leadership? 

Until I was seven, I lived in a village and my infant school there was exceptional. Throughout my increasingly privileged education in the years that followed, I knew that if we educate children with care, academic expertise and the imagination to give them life-changing opportunities, we will live in a better world. That passion brought me into teaching and leadership. London is a world away from my village life, but that entitlement is part of our school culture and I am really proud of this. 

How do you like to unwind? 

An optimistic question to ask a school leader in 2023. I would love to be modelling work–life balance, but the honest picture for many leaders is that this job takes up most of our time. When I can, I love to travel. 

Tell us an interesting fact about you 

I am that teacher who once tried to persuade a 12-year-old Bukayo Saka to learn to play the cello (learning an instrument was part of a programme for all our GRAFT learners: Giving it 100%, Reader, Ambitious, Focused, Thinker). Via the head of PE, I was persuaded that he was a bit busy with his football. She reassured me that his GCSE grades would still be fantastic, even without the cello. She was right. He’s become one of Arsenal’s most promising young players of recent times. 

What’s your favourite book and your favourite film of all time and why? 

My mother was a head of English for many years and still is the best book recommender, so I love reading. It’s hard to choose my favourite, but I’ll choose When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr, because Anna’s journey lives with me to this day. Everything Everywhere All at Once is my favourite film because it best captures and shows us how we feel love: with kung fu and laughs. 

What advice would you give to someone new to leadership? 

Many of my mum’s best friends became headteachers and deputy headteachers, so I grew with their wisdom in addition to hers. Her friend Jackie Thomas was a big advocate of ‘management by walking about’ and I think of this every day as I trudge around school. 

To this, I would add some wisdom from WomenEd (womened.org), that for any leadership step, we have to be both personally and professionally ready. So, for people who are not yet taking on a new leadership position, know that it is fine to pause for a while and focus on family, friends or hobbies. 

Our careers are a 45-year journey – what’s the rush? 

ASCL Council 

For more details on how you can become a Council member, please email ASCL Director of Policy Julie McCulloch at Julie.mcculloch@ascl.org.uk

• For further information, see www.ascl.org.uk/council

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