iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

Enjoy the new role - I have LOVED my first year as DHT and cannot wait to see what this year holds for me. I hope you find it similarly rewarding.

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

I saw him in Company on the West End a few years ago and he is just so insanely talented, and beautiful. 🤣

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

Just about felt up to going to see Wicked (Part 1) at the cinema tonight and my only note would be this: There isn’t enough Jonathon Bailey. 😍

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

It really is - we did the whole thing from scratch as we are in the midst of a significant renovation. This is a little pocket of heaven. 🥰

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

You’re not wrong. Thank you. 🙏🏻

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

I always say this when I see folk sharing pictures of kids who’ve done something daft. We were all kids once and we did stupid stuff! 🤦🏼‍♂️

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Definitely takes the edge off. 🥰

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

We actually call it the library. 🤣 Not sure we have enough books to call it one but we’re rolling with it. 🙈

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Thank you - it’s my favourite room in the house. 🥰

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

I have felt so rubbish today that I have spent most of it by the fire reading or snoozing. This room. 🥰

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 10/11/2024

This is so true. I was only speaking to a friend of mine last week who is having to plan for a teacher on long term sick. I asked what’s wrong with last year’s planning? They don’t know where it is. This is MAD. All of ours is centralised and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Reposted by Mr Allington

Claire Lotriet @ohlottie.bsky.social · 09/11/2024

Australia is planning a social media ban for under 16s and honestly, while the detail needs thought, I’ve been thinking for some time now that I’d welcome a move like this. Interested in what others think. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Australia plans social media ban for under-16s - BBC News

The government says it wants to mitigate the "harm" social media is inflicting on children.

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 02/11/2024

Pride in making it to deputy headteacher this year, pride in the school I am so lucky to lead, pride in the work I’m doing. I really love what I do for a living, and I am so privileged in that regard. Bring on Autumn 2. 🍂 3/3

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 02/11/2024

Yesterday I did a few hours of work, and I felt all the better for it. The first week back is a busy one and it’s good for my mind to get a head start. Besides… when I sat there in my office I felt so zen. 🧘🏼‍♂️ Zen with a great sense of pride. 🙌🏻 2/3

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 02/11/2024

I haven’t done a single bit of work for most of the half term break. I had loads of family time, caught up with friends, pottered through some of our favourite towns (and associated shops), ate too much, decorated, had a brew or two with my grandad, and generally recharged. 1/3

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 19/10/2024

Told you that you look fresh… I can’t remember the last time I was ID’d it’s been that long!! 🤣🤣

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 19/10/2024

*said (not same) - I’m going back to bed! 🤣

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 19/10/2024

This should have same ‘more fun’. 🤦🏼‍♂️ It was late, I’d had a couple, enough said. 🤣

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 18/10/2024

I’ve definitely earned it! 💤 It was snore fun than I expected! 🙈🤣

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 18/10/2024

I agreed to be the Quiz Master at the PTA’s Quiz Night, so I’ve donned my jazziest jacket and I’m hoping not to disappoint!! 🤣 Started at 6:30am this morning and will finish at 10pm… I will sleep tonight!! 😴

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 10/10/2024

It sounds to me like you are pretty fresh after all!! 🤣 Own it! You look great for 36! ❤️

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 10/10/2024

I agree! 🤣 If you’re not fresh you’re using a great filter!! 🤣

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 10/10/2024

Ah! Happy birthday! 🥳 We’re the same year group (I’m 36 in December) but you look a lot fresher than me!! 🤣🤣

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 02/10/2024

Does anyone have chickens in school? If so, would you mind sharing your set up / risk assessment?

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 25/09/2024

What is this in relation to though? Because donating funds to a political party and giving gifts to politicians is not the same thing. I think it is gross that Kier is asking pensioners to tighten their belts whilst getting gifts worth £1000s whilst earning a 160k salary. It’s not a good look.

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 15/09/2024

In terms of recruitment I bet it does. Has that been factored in to studies? Bet you any money you’d attract higher calibre of staff if you could boast class sizes of 24 as standard!

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 15/09/2024

It’s a little tricky in that I organise the cover but it’s signed off by the HT first, then I pass it on to our operations manager to be logged and filed. Ideally it would be a form sent to the head, which is sent to me when confirmed. Not sure Forms is that advanced.

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 15/09/2024

We are a 4-form infant school, so also mindful that the challenges we face pale in terms of staffing in comparison to a large secondary. 🙈🤣

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 15/09/2024

Agreed. Still holds true, 100%! Interesting seeing some of the things floated during the 2010 GE too - reducing class sizes would be ideal, both for kids and with the current challenge of pupil numbers facing schools. If we increased funding per pupil to reduce class sizes, this would be dreamy!! 🤣

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 15/09/2024

I haven’t - I’ll send it to my headteacher tomorrow. Sounds great.

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 15/09/2024

We are only a 4-form infant school - cannot imagine how tough it is at secondary!! 😩 We use the outlook calendar too, alongside a spreadsheet I use for HLTAs as it’s easier to see them all on one page without the distractions of other events.

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 15/09/2024

Our office don’t have the capacity to take this on but the Microsoft Forms could replace the current system of paper forms.

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 15/09/2024

Sounds great, I bet it doesn’t close the gap but great cultural capital opportunity. One way we use it to give children access to some of the paid clubs - which gives children access to the arts and sports, but helps families too, as they get free childcare.

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 15/09/2024

Yes. A bit of a catch 22. The reality is, we need to improve the socio-economic backgrounds of these children, and schools can’t solve that alone. Not even close.

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 15/09/2024

I once read a blog which was a bit of lightbulb moment for me. @kateowbridge.bsky.social shared it on X - it was a great analogy which essentially said if you want to improve outcomes for disadvantaged, improve teaching generally in essence. Made a lot of sense to me.

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 15/09/2024

This is my kinda Sunday!! 😍🤣

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 15/09/2024

I’m glad to hear it in some ways - it’s not just me! 🤣 I cannot believe the cost of supply. It’s insane. Another eye-opener coming into senior leadership.

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 15/09/2024

Also keeping up with it from a HR pov so our operations manger has the right information to ensure everyone has claimed their overtime. I’ve ended up creating a spreadsheet for our HLTA cover work and it’s helped massively, but that took me ages! 🤣

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 15/09/2024

One of the most challenging elements of leadership for me so far is staffing (ensuring cover is in place for training, appointments, absences, etc.). It’s just so complex, especially at pinch points whereby you’re dealing with several issues at once. What do other senior leaders feel?

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 13/09/2024

I love my job. ❤️ But I am very lucky to be part of a rather wonderful school. 🥰

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 13/09/2024

This job is such a joy and such a privilege, and I am so thankful for the opportunity. ❤️ 3/3

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 13/09/2024

👨🏼‍🏫 Teaching phonics for staff new to role 👨🏼‍🏫 Covering for staff whose little ones start their own school journey 👨🏼‍🏫 Leading Worship with KS1 👨🏼‍🏫 Eating lunch in the hall with Year 2 each afternoon 👨🏼‍🏫 Welcoming YR for their first sessions 👨🏼‍🏫 Lunch & break duties 👨🏼‍🏫 Teaching my own class on Thurs & Fri 2/n

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 13/09/2024

As the second week of being a DHT draws to a close, I can’t help but feel so incredibly lucky to do this job. I have loved every manically busy, 100 miles per second, pulled-in-every-direction moment. Unsurprisingly, the highlights have been the children, as I knew they would be… 1/n

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 13/09/2024

I don’t know if it’s a primary thing, but I’ve never worked in a school that has allowed pencil cases. 🤣 They’re more hassle than they’re worth!! 🙈

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Mr Allington @mrallington.bsky.social · 09/09/2024

My parents live in Yorkshire so I could make it - great excuse to go back to the motherland. 🤣

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