It’s a tough time to be working in schools. There’s an impossible balancing act going on, between overwhelming demands on the one hand and a scarcity of resources to meet them on the other.

So what can we do? How do we make the most of the resources we’ve got? How can we work in ways that are healthy, sustainable, and resist burnout?

Creating Value in Schools intends to generate positive action through the sharing of stories from practice, along with time-saving tools and information to help you succeed in your role.

Our aim is to help you think differently, act confidently and make meaningful improvements within your school or setting.

Who's behind it?

Liz Worthen

I’ve been working in education for 25+ years now. First as a secondary school English teacher in an inner-city comprehensive, and since then in educational programmes, professional development, and digital publishing. I was Head of Content at Optimus Education for nearly 10 years, a role which gave me knowledge and insight into all kinds of aspects of school life. 

What drives me is enabling others to flourish, realise their potential and have a positive impact in their world. My aim is for Creating Value in Schools to be a space that supports, inspires and empowers.

Why ‘creating value’?

There are lots of ways in which we can create value. Here are a few for starters.

• Resource value – enabling people to perform their roles more effectively, confidently and happily.
• Impact value – generating the maximum benefit through the education and services we provide for pupils, families and the local community.
• Environmental value – saving resources and taking care of our planet.
• Financial value – making our money work harder and go further.

Who’s it for?

Anyone working in and with schools! Our core audience are headteachers, school business leaders and managers, operational and sustainability leaders. 

What will you find? 

Podcast

The Creating Value in School podcast brings you insights and ideas from leaders in education. What does it mean to work sustainably in school? How can we make best use of our resources, in a way that's good for people and the planet? 

Blog

For those who prefer to read than listen, the blog brings you edited highlights and thinking from our podcast guests. 

Need to Know

Here you'll find education news and policy that you can put into practice, along with tips and guides to help ensure you are equipped and informed for your role.

Once you've registered, there's a simple sign in to access the resources for free. Sign up to the newsletter to receive our fortnightly email updates. 

‘Need to Know’ is for people working in or with schools in England, or those who want to stay in touch with what’s happening in schools in England.