Simon Bolger

Dad of 3, husband, runner, speedcuber, and Primary Headteacher.

[Simon Bolger @simonbolger]

99 tips for wellbeing in 99 days.

Thread below 👇🏻

Follow at #wellbeing99

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[Simon Bolger @simonbolger]

@Headteacherchat 🟡

[Simon Bolger @simonbolger]

NPQEL passed ✅

[Simon Bolger @simonbolger]

Totally agree. I also see loads of advice on “how to lead school culture” from people who left teaching early. You can’t truly understand headship until you’ve lived it. Theory helps, but experience teaches.

[Simon Bolger @simonbolger]

@Strickomaster Perhaps those becoming Heads this quickly are simply outliers—exceptional cases where early ability stands out. And that’s OK. The vast majority of educators take longer to reach those heights—and that’s OK too. The focus should be on capability, not speed.

[Simon Bolger @simonbolger]

A child's confidence grows not when they get everything right, but when they know it’s OK to get things wrong. Let’s celebrate the courage to try. #GrowthMindset #PrimarySchool #edchat

[Simon Bolger @simonbolger]

@PrimaryRocks1 Firm boundaries and empathy go hand in hand. Set clear expectations with compassion—ask “why”, not “what”. Boundaries show you care enough to keep them safe; empathy shows you care enough to understand them. Be firm, but always be human. #primaryrocks

[Simon Bolger @simonbolger]

@PrimaryRocks1 Catch them doing it right. Celebrate the small wins—kindness, effort, resilience. What you focus on grows, and when kids feel seen for their best selves, they become them. Behaviour is contagious—spread the good kind. #primaryrocks

[Simon Bolger @simonbolger]

"You don't teach a subject; you teach children."

A reminder to educators everywhere: your magic isn't just in the curriculum, it's in the connection.

#EducationMatters #TeacherLife

[Simon Bolger @simonbolger]

Absolutely spot on. Playtime isn’t just “free time”—it’s a mental health boost, a social skills lesson, and a creativity spark all rolled into one. Let’s protect it, value it, and put it back at the heart of every school day. 🌟 #PlayMatters #WellbeingInSchools

[Anne Longfield @annelongfield]

Every school is worried about children's mental health but one of the most important interventions to help children stay well in school has been disappearing in plain sight. Let's recognise the benefits of playtime & get them back to where they should be. My column @tes 👇

[Simon Bolger @simonbolger]

Break times aren’t just a “pause” in learning—they ARE learning. Children need space to run, laugh, connect, and recharge. It’s where social skills grow, creativity sparks, and energy resets. Protect break times—they’re as vital as any lesson. 🌟 #PlayMatters #WholeChild

[Tes magazine @tes]

'Give children their playtimes back': if the government is serious about improving pupil wellbeing, it should address shrinking break times, says @annelongfield of @CfYoungLives https://t.co/1fnSDWJxfS

[Simon Bolger @simonbolger]

5/5: Outcomes may look good on paper, but ethos is what kids remember for life. Let’s create schools that spark joy, resilience, and lifelong learning. Because a strong ethos builds strong humans. 🌟 #EthosOverOutcomes #TeachWithHeart

[Simon Bolger @simonbolger]

1/5: Hey, teachers—here’s the thing: outcomes matter, but ethos comes first. A school’s ethos is its heartbeat—the vibe, the values, the way people feel walking through the door. Without it, outcomes are just empty numbers. 💡 #EthosOverOutcomes

[Simon Bolger @simonbolger]

4/5: Focus only on outcomes, and you risk creating stress, fear, and burnout. But focus on ethos—kindness, belonging, purpose—and you build a school where everyone WANTS to be their best. 🏫✨ #CultureFirst

[Simon Bolger @simonbolger]

🌍 Happy #WorldKindnessDay! 💖

Kindness is a quiet superpower - free, infinite, and it changes *you* as much as others.

Let’s brighten the world today with small acts that make a big impact. Be the light! 🧡

Thank you, @KindnessCoach_, for YOUR kindness!

#WorldKindessDay

[Simon Bolger @simonbolger]

My challenge in November, inspired by last month’s visit from gymnast, @stevefrew7 - is to learn how to do a handstand! 🤸‍♀️

Steve - please send help… and if @maxwhitlock1 is also around I would be appreciative.

#GrowthMindset #edutwitter #headteacher

[Simon Bolger @simonbolger]

My October challenge, inspired by our recent visitor @wordguerrilla, has been to learn how to beatbox. 🎤

It was slow at the start - but a few YouTube videos later (thanks @beardyman) and I started to make progress.

#GrowthMindset #edutwitter #schools #headteacher

[Simon Bolger @simonbolger]

Here’s my review of The Happy Tank by John Magee - the @KindnessCoach_

#edutwitter #kindness

[Simon Bolger @simonbolger]

@mrpiatczanyn @dave_mcpartlin What if I actually am the caretaker as well as the HT…? 🙄