Making School Unmissable

‘What’s brilliant about Making School Unmissable is that, without underplaying the extent of the challenges, it offers practical ways of reimagining schools so that everyone wants to be there and all can flourish. We need five ‘senses’, the authors argue, to understand the point of school, to share a common identity, to celebrate the strengths of all young people, to boost their learning power and to create a sense of adventure. Simple really! Get yourself a copy of this book and you’ll see these senses make great sense!‘Bill Lucas“Amid so much gloom about education, here at last is a book that is unflinching in recognising the problems, but then setting out a series of solutions. Without being soppy or trite, Macfarlane and Jenkins provide a call-to-arms for how all of us involved in education might better engage those young people who see schooling as marginal or irrelevant. It’s a book which mixes principles with strong evidence and practical proposals. Recommended.“Geoff BartonMaking School Unmissable is a book that will help to make the job of teaching feel really enriching. It speaks to schools about why they exist and how they can make every child believe they matter.Mick WatersMaking School Unmissable confronts the uncomfortable truth that school is currently very missable for many young people. Unsurprisingly, as it’s written by two authors with a combined seven decades of experience in schools, it is deeply practical about what leaders can do to make education as unmissable as it has been for those like me who have great memories of school. Rachel and Paul go far beyond platitudes about belonging, however, as they deftly grapple with the challenges of contemporary society and schooling. Children whose school leaders engage with this book will see their friends want to, rather than have to, come to school.Tim CoulsonMaking School Unmissable confronts the uncomfortable truth that school is currently very missable for many young people. Unsurprisingly, as it’s written by two authors with a combined seven decades of experience in schools, it is deeply practical about what leaders can do to make education as unmissable as it has been for those like me who have great memories of school. Rachel and Paul go far beyond platitudes about belonging, however, as they deftly grapple with the challenges of contemporary society and schooling. Children whose school leaders engage with this book will see their friends want to, rather than have to, come to school.Tier Blundell

About the Authors

Rachel Macfarlane is the Director of Education Services at Herts for Learning. She previously served as head teacher at three contrasting schools for sixteen years. Between 2009 and 2018, Rachel was project director of the London Leadership Strategy’s Going for Great (G4G) programme. In this role, she collaborated with leaders of outstanding schools to share best practices and create case studies for London schools.

Paul Jenkins has over 25 years of experience in education. With a background in English, Drama, and Media Studies, he has taught various subjects up to A-level. His leadership roles include Head of VI Form, Deputy Head, Headteacher, and Executive Headteacher. Currently, he works as an educational consultant specializing in standards and curriculum. Paul has also mentored and trained new headteachers and is a published author of articles and award-winning scripts for theatre and television.

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