Stuart Mycroft-Armer

Executive Headteacher of @WeAreCastleway Federation (Castleway Primary & Nursery Schools). #BeKind #BeConfident #BeYourBest #YouAbsolutelyCan. (he/him) 🏳️‍🌈

[Stuart Mycroft-Armer @StuartMycroft]

Today has been an emotional rollercoaster. Reaching the silver level of such a prestigious award os something that was beyond my wildest dreams. To say I’m proud is an understatement. #ThankATeacher @TeachingAwards

[Castleway Primary School - #WeAreCastleway @WeAreCastleway]

Congratulations to our fabulous @StuartMycroft on being a SILVER AWARD WINNER in the category of #HeadteacherOfTheYear at Pearson’s @TeachingAwards! He’s going for gold now and we couldn’t be more proud!

#TeachingAwards
#ThankATeacher
#WeAreCastleway

[Dave McPartlin @dave_mcpartlin]

"Requires Attention."
Schools with high FSM are far more likely to sit under that label in the new Ofsted framework, especially the Achievement section.
Daft thing is, it already has our attention. It always will.
Poverty requires attention. Hunger requires attention. Trauma requires attention.
A judgement that ignores all of that - and then penalises the people giving their lives to the cause?
That requires attention too.

[Dan Morrow @MoreMorrow]

It feels like we are back to evaluating poverty, not education, and calling it achievement.

[Stuart Mycroft-Armer @StuartMycroft]

@dave_mcpartlin I feel like I'm reposting a lot of what you're saying at the minute but you're exactly right and bang on the money. It's shocking how much worse things have got.

[Stuart Mycroft-Armer @StuartMycroft]

The relationship hasn't been reset. There was trust, optimism and hope after the election. Safe to say that there isn't now. This is gaslighting and a brilliant example at that.

[Department for Education @educationgovuk]

We've reset the relationship between the government and teachers, so we can be partners in the push for better.

Bridget Phillipson spoke with Garret Fay, CEO of Insignis Academy Trust, about how schools are working with the government to deliver change, so every child can achieve and thrive.

We want to hear from you, too. Have your say on the SEND consultation: https://t.co/40EmVEpTwJ

[Dave McPartlin @dave_mcpartlin]

Punishing schools for the challenges facing our children and communities is just callous. I won't stand for it.

[Dave McPartlin @dave_mcpartlin]

School leaders are facing relentless pressure right now.
Attendance challenges.
A growing SEND crisis.
Safeguarding cases that are more complex than ever.
Funding that never quite meets the need.
Staff recruitment and retention becoming harder each year.
Schools are increasingly being asked to hold together the social fabric of their communities.
And rightly, we are accountable. We should be.
But there is a question the system needs to start asking.
Schools have a duty of care to staff.
Employers have a duty of care to employees.
So what duty of care exists for school leaders operating within a high-stakes accountability system?
The debate following the tragic death of Ruth Perry forced the profession to confront something uncomfortable - the pressure attached to inspection outcomes can be immense.
This isn’t about avoiding accountability or lowering standards.
It’s about recognising that school leaders are human.
Right now, many heads are carrying extraordinary responsibility for issues that stretch far beyond the school gates, while still being judged through a system overseen by Ofsted that can have life-changing consequences.
A strong school system needs accountability.
But it also needs leaders who feel supported, trusted and able to sustain the role.
Because if we continue to ignore the human cost of the job, we risk losing the very people the system depends on.
And I suspect many school leaders would quietly say the same thing:
Enough is enough.

[Stuart Mycroft-Armer @StuartMycroft]

Agreed 👏🏽

[Dave McPartlin @dave_mcpartlin]

School leaders are fed up with the lack of respect, understanding & appreciation from DfE & Ofsted. I resent the extra pressure & its toll on me, colleagues & our wellbeing. We're working extremely hard in uncharted territory facing unprecedented challenges in a changed world. We deserve far better.

[Steve Ellis @Steveellis06]

The link between FSM, SEND here in this thread and low prior attainment is clear. The framework has built inequity in our inspection system.

[Steve Ellis @Steveellis06]

'The quiet curse of low expectations.'

No
No.
No.

Does he not understand that context of some schools with low ks2 attainment does not mean we have low expectations but may mean children have made strong progress from low starting points against all the odds...

[Neil Moggan - Future Action @neilfutureact]

Great to be back on the Wirral today welcoming @WeAreCastleway and Gilbrook School to Phase 2 of the Wirral RISE Up programme. 💛We had the pleasure co-creating their bespoke RISE Up strategic visions for the year ahead.

Huge thanks to the staff teams for their openness, ideas and commitment to transforming the mental wellbeing and life chances of their pupils.

The Wirral RISE Up community continues to grow, and it’s exciting to see the momentum building.

💛🤝🧠💪

#RISEUp #SchoolWellbeing #TraumaInformedEducation #MentalWellbeing #WirralEducation

[James Mayhew @mrjamesmayhew]

@StuartMycroft Fabulous! Thank you so much for choosing Katie’s chum Mona! 🎨

[Stuart Mycroft-Armer @StuartMycroft]

Another day at the office today. Tell me it’s been #WorldBookDay without telling me…

[Stuart Mycroft-Armer @StuartMycroft]

@KyrstieStubbs How exciting. Think of the impact you’ll be able to have! Smash it! x

[Castleway Primary School - #WeAreCastleway @WeAreCastleway]

We are incredibly proud to share that we have been awarded the #LeadingParentPartnershipAward. This recognises our commitment to working in partnership with families & our community. This belongs to our community. Thank you for making our school one that truly belongs to us all.

[Stuart Mycroft-Armer @StuartMycroft]

@SwailesRuth @Southgloshead Absolutely chalk and cheese and only 8 weeks apart. I’m hoping that there are some positives from these changes and hope your next one goes well. 🌈💙🤞🏽🙏🏽

[Stuart Mycroft-Armer @StuartMycroft]

Our wonderful school community shines in our short promo video below. I am beyond proud to lead this brilliant community and I’m always happy to talk about what we do if anyone’s interested… or even if you’re not, I’ll still tell you! 🌈💙😂

[Castleway Primary School - #WeAreCastleway @WeAreCastleway]

We are so incredibly proud of Castleway. If you want to be part of the Castleway family get in touch to find out more.

Why Castleway? Why wouldn’t you!

📧 [email protected]
☎️ 0151 677 2953
💻 https://t.co/fcDjAvkQsh

#WeAreSchoolOfTheYear #WeAreCastleway

[Stuart Mycroft-Armer @StuartMycroft]

@Headteacherchat Definitely invite a second opinion.

[Stuart Mycroft-Armer @StuartMycroft]

@iqmaward What a great session! 🌈💙💚🧸

[Stuart Mycroft-Armer @StuartMycroft]

I’m looking forward to sharing our inclusion journey today. See you there if you’re joining us! 🌈💙💚

[IQM @iqmaward]

Calling all schools in Sefton and the wider Merseyside area! Join us for an insightful session on how IQM can support your school’s inclusive journey!

📍St Monica’s Primary School, Bootle
📅WEDNESDAY, 12th NOVEMBER
🕒Time: 09.30-12.00
🎟️Free to attend –
https://t.co/txOzRDRHf8

[Stuart Mycroft-Armer @StuartMycroft]

Spot on! 👏🏽

[Steve Ellis @Steveellis06]

"Apologizing doesn't always mean you are wrong and the other person is right.

It means you value your relationship more than your ego."