Education Research Reading Room ERRR #105. Sue Knight on Effective School Leadership
Aug 8, 2025
Join Sue Knight, a principal with a rich history of transforming turnaround schools, as she shares her three core principles for effective school leadership. Discover how data-driven decisions and early interventions have improved student outcomes in reading, writing, and math. Sue emphasizes the critical need for personalized support and kindness in education, advocating for collaborative learning environments. She also discusses the importance of continuous professional development and community engagement in fostering a positive educational landscape post-COVID.
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The Day She Googled Reading Research
- Sue Knight watched conflicting reading interventions and googled 'reading research' in her office.
- That search pushed her to adopt phonics and redesign the school's reading approach.
Moral Purpose Guides Every Decision
- Sue Knight insists moral purpose must guide every school decision and keep children central.
- Constantly ask: does this serve our children, especially the most at risk?
Radically Accept And Plan From Data
- Radically accept your data and sit with uncomfortable results instead of skimming over them.
- Make a clear plan and promise staff: this is not where we are staying.
