Rethinking Education "You can't afford not to!" Headteacher Kulvarn Atwal on the power of slice teams
Jun 21, 2025
Kulvarn Atwal, headteacher of Highlands and Uphall Primary in East London, is a champion of distributed leadership and author of 'The Thinking School.' He explores the innovative concept of slice teams, showcasing how diverse groups of staff and students can collaboratively lead change in schools. Kulvarn emphasizes the importance of including student voices in decision-making, which fosters a culture of respect and responsibility. His insights reveal how this approach can create sustainable improvements in educational environments.
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Year Three Pupil Shapes Policy
- A year three pupil noticed supply teachers weren't briefed on school values, disrupting behavior.
- She proposed a leaflet for new staff, showing the power of including pupils in decision-making.
Include Pupils to Unlock Change
- You cannot afford to exclude pupils from improvement teams; their honest feedback uncovers hidden issues.
- Including children in leadership creates responsibility and better behavior without heavy control.
Diverse Team Enriches Policy
- An ad hoc slice team including music, PE, mental health leads, a parent, and staff enriched evaluation discussions.
- This diverse dialogue shaped policies in ways no single leader could replicate alone.
