This book offers expert guidance and support to current and aspiring school leaders, including tips and examples of good practice, alongside a blueprint for exceptional leadership to create and maintain ‘outstanding’ school status.

An insightful book for school leaders, it offers support to address the demands and pressures faced by leaders when they come into post and provides top tips for getting a school to ‘outstanding’ status (and keeping it there!). Peter Hughes, the CEO of Mossbourne Federation, explains his journey of breaking barriers in education and running one of the most successful schools in the country. By reflecting on his career, he offers up a blueprint for successful leadership in schools. From recruitment to improving attainment, being mission-driven to knowing when to take risks, the book provides a replicable framework of support for leaders throughout, and gives practical tips and examples of practices that are proven to work. The recurring themes of persistence, risk and motivation inspire the reader to understand what it means to be an exceptional school, and the examples and strategies provided help the reader to walk away with actionable steps to build upon their own leadership skills and sustain an ‘outstanding’ school status.

"This is a very readable book, which I found hard to put down (despite the graphs and references to mathematics!). Peter took over the iconic Mossbourne from Sir Michael, which was a hard act to follow for anyone. This book gives a terrific insight into the moral purpose and skill that drove Peter to take Mossbourne to the next level. Peter explains his route into teaching, drawing on his life experiences to exemplify challenges in teaching and giving suggestions as to how to overcome these challenges. I would highly recommend this book to all in education but particularly anyone in leadership and those considering leading a trust." - Dame Joan McVittie, Education consultant

"Outstanding School Leadership is a fantastic read. Peter really gets under the skin of how you take a school and make it great. His insightful practical advice and guidance offered through this very sage read are hugely supportive, reassuring and, if applied correctly, can support other leaders to transform their own school settings. A must read!" - Sam Strickland, Principal/CEO and Author

"A crystal-clear example of what it means to develop an exceptional school and to sustain an outstanding education." - Schools Week