This Much I Know About Love Over Fear: Leadership Memoir On Great Teaching by Tomsett - Non Fiction - Paperback

Title:
This Much I Know about Love Over Fear: Creating a culture of truly great teaching

Condition: BRAND NEW
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781845909826

Overview:
This Much I Know about Love Over Fear: Creating a culture for truly great teaching is a revealing, beautifully written account of leading a values-driven school where people matter above all else. John Tomsett weaves his personal journey—the voices of his teachers, students, and families—into a practical manual for leadership in a challenging era. He describes how a headteacher can balance accountability with humanity, turning classrooms into places where curiosity thrives and staff feel trusted enough to experiment with pedagogy. The book argues that true excellence in education doesn't come from tightening controls, but from building relationships based on respect, shared purpose, and professional autonomy. Readers will discover how to embed a culture of 'love over fear'—a mindset that prioritises wellbeing, reflective practice, and continual learning. The narrative is accessible, moving, and actionable, offering concrete strategies for staffing, policy decisions, and classroom leadership that make schools less about panic and more about possibility. For teachers, leaders, school governors, and parents invested in high-quality teaching, this book provides both inspiration and a practical playbook. Tomsett also reflects on poetry and literature as tools for empathy, bridging the headteacher voice with student experience. The chapters are concise and accessible, making it a practical companion for busy practitioners who want to revisit core ideas between classes.

What Makes This Book Stand Out:
This book stands out because it blends intimate storytelling with practical leadership guidance, offering both heart and hand. John Tomsett writes with a director’s clarity about why relationships matter more than rigid policy in cultivating high-quality teaching. He doesn’t preach from a distance; he recalls real moments—the debates in staff rooms, the late-night planning, the joys of a class that finally ‘gets it’—to show how a values-driven culture can emerge from daily acts of trust, listening, and professional respect. The 'love over fear' philosophy isn’t a soft ideal but a tangible approach to decision-making: it guides hiring, workload management, appraisal, and classroom practice. Readers will find checklists, reflective prompts, and candid admissions that normalise the messy realities of school leadership while insisting on excellence. The writing invites replication in other schools—whether a new head’s first year or a veteran seeking to recalibrate culture. It is equally suitable for classroom teachers who want to understand leadership expectations and for governors seeking a clearer picture of school wellbeing and performance.

Who This Book Is Perfect For:
This book is a must-read for anyone who believes that schools succeed when people are valued. It speaks directly to current and aspiring headteachers who want a sustainable, humane leadership model, as well as teachers seeking to understand the rationale behind policy decisions that affect daily practice. It will resonate with staff developers, governors, and parents who want to engage more meaningfully with school improvement. Whether you’re guiding a brand-new school year, rebuilding morale after upheaval, or searching for practical, human-centred strategies to raise attainment, this book provides clear, actionable guidance. It’s also a powerful gift for trainee teachers and mentors who want a compass for professional growth. The personal tone makes it easy to digest in short reading sessions between classes or as part of staff study groups.

Key Highlights:

• Values-driven leadership that prioritises people and relationships
• Concrete strategies for staffing, workload, and staff wellbeing
• Practical guidance on policy decisions and classroom leadership
• A clear, research-informed approach to improving teaching quality
• Real-world anecdotes that illuminate everyday school life
• The enduring power of trust, autonomy, and professional respect
• A readable, memoir-style narrative that doubles as a practical handbook

About the Author:
John Tomsett taught for 33 years in state schools and served as a secondary headteacher for 18 years. He runs the popular blog This Much I Know and has written extensively on school leadership and teaching practice. His work explores how to place teachers at the heart of school improvement, balancing accountability with professional autonomy. As a prolific author, Tomsett has published multiple titles that fuse personal narrative with actionable leadership guidance, drawing on his experiences at Huntington Research School and beyond. Readers trust his voice for honesty, practical wisdom, and a deep commitment to great teaching as the foundation of student success.

Why You’ll Love This Book:
If you’re seeking a readable, thoughtful blueprint for turning ideas into tangible school-wide impact, this book delivers. It blends warmth with practical rigor, giving you a clear sense of how to foster environments where staff feel valued and students thrive. Whether you’re a headteacher shaping a new term, a teacher seeking professional growth, or a governor aiming to support sustainable improvement, the book offers relatable stories, proven approaches, and prompts you can action right away. It also serves as a meaningful gift for colleagues who care about the culture of learning as much as the scoreboard, making it an ideal addition to any educator’s bookshelf.

Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.