The role of the Headteacher is all about decisions. People come to me to make decisions about difficult, challenging or complex situations all the time – and ultimately, it is my responsibility to make the right choices. So, how can we make sure we are making the best decisions?

Whenever I am faced with a decision or a choice, I ask myself four questions:

1. Do I have enough information to make the right choice? Being in possession of all the facts is really important. Sometimes we need to wait to get all the information we can before we can make a choice.
2. What are the possible consequences of this choice? Weighing up what might happen if I choose option a, or what might happen if I choose option b, is a really useful process to go through. I will often write lists of pros and cons to each choice. The process of writing it down is really helpful to clarify my thinking. Considering what might happen next is essential to making a good decision.
3. What are the other options? When presented with an either/or decision, it’s often worth thinking about whether there is a third way. I often try out a “devil’s advocate” approach: what would a really bad option be like? Then, when you return to your original choices, they don’t seem so bad after all!
4. What do other people think? This is the most important step when faced with a difficult decision. Running the options by people I trust – people with experience and expertise – will always lead to a better decision. I don’t have to agree with their opinions – but hearing them always helps!

When I have asked myself those four questions, I then remember to take my time. I have learned that a good decision and a quick decision are often not the same thing. Usually, the best thing to do is wait. A Headteacher I used to work for told me that, when faced with a difficult decision, he would say “I’m going to sleep on it. I’ll make my decision tomorrow.” I have used this technique ever since; things always seem clearer after a good night’s sleep.

Our students are faced with choices all the time, and this time of year there are some big decisions to make. We have had our Year 9 options evening, where our students have started their decision-making process as they consider their curriculum pathways for years 10 and 11. I have also started interviewing applicants for our sixth form – one of my favourite things to do! – about their subject choices for A-level, and the next steps that they want to take into careers or further study.

We try to support them – as we do our staff – to make the best decisions possible. And, where we (or they) make mistakes, we are constantly working with students to reflect on decisions they have made – so they (and we) can learn from it. Because making good decisions is at the heart of success – and we all need to take time and care to make the best decisions possible.