Author: James Michie

Husband, Educator, Writer, Runner...

In your dreams, all we see are the gold drenched days laid ahead

~ Moreno, Chino, metal dream, 2025

2025 has turned out to be a very good year.1 Well, musically at least. 

Sam Fender’s ‘People Watching‘ continues to dominate my playlists, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it takes home the Mercury Prize. But since that album caught my attention back in March, countless other releases have been vying for my attention.

We’ve been quietly witnessing a genuine resurgence in indie and alt-rock. As someone who grew up on “six strings, three cords… big dreams”2, it is music to my ears. Royal Otis and Wet Leg3 have both delivered strong sophomore efforts. And I’m particularly excited about Muse’s upcoming album after hearing their latest single: ‘Unravelling’; signalling a return to their early-heavier sound.

Some of this year’s best records are growers. Pulp’s reunion album ‘More‘ and Little Simz’s latest offering ‘Lotus’’ both reveal new layers with each listen. Don’t miss ‘The Hymn of the North’ from Pulp and ‘Lion’ from Little Simz. Both tracks showcase what makes these records special. Honourable mention goes to Lady Gaga who has delivered an absolute banger.

However, the album that has most thoroughly captured my imagination is Deftones’ latest effort, ‘private music‘. The veteran alt-metal band have created a thrilling and addictive record that hasn’t left my turntable since its August release.

What makes ‘private music’ so remarkable is its delicate balance between crushing riffs and melodic beauty; between aggression and intimacy. Many reviewers have lazily labeled it “shoegaze” meets “metal,” but this description sells short the album’s genuine inventiveness and sonic complexity. 

The real magic happens on repeated listens. Hidden details emerge from what initially sounds like chaos, creating an irresistible urge to start the album over as soon as it ends. It’s a record that rewards attention and patience.

Even if rock and heavy metal aren’t typically your preference, ‘private music’ deserves a chance. You might discover something you didn’t know you were missing.

  1. Yes, I know the world is a dumpster fire right now! ↩︎
  2. Ashcroft, Richard, This Thing Called Life, 2010 ↩︎
  3. 🙌 Props to Rhian Teasdale for using the word ‘mangetout‘ in a song. ↩︎

“Open to Work”

❗️ After dedicating six years to The St Leonards Academy as Vice Principal, I have decided that it is time to look for new opportunities. 

⭐️ I am a skilled and motivated educator with 22 years experience in the classroom; most of which have been spent in positions of leadership. I hold a Masters Degree in Education and have continuously worked to develop and improve my knowledge and skills. 

🏆 As a senior leader, I consistently create impact. At The Chalfonts Community College, I lead on raising standards, moving Progress 8 from -0.23 in 2017 to +0.1 in 2019. Most recently (2025), I contributed to improved results at The St Leonards Academy. English Language moved above the national average; while other subjects made significant improvement in the percentage of Grades 9-4, including Science, Geography and Food Tech.

My main areas of strength and expertise are:

  • Educational leadership
  • Strategic thinking and problem solving
  • Professional development and coaching
  • Assessment
  • Curriculum design and innovation
  • Educational technologies

❤️ The area of educational leadership that I am most passionate about is teacher professional development and coaching. Teachers who are valued and nurtured, while being held to account, sit at the heart of successful schools. I lead and support staff with empathy, compassion and integrity; helping them to grow into highly effective teachers. I believe in the power of effective line-management based on structured feedback and coaching, to unlock potential.

🚀 The impact of this approach helped me to be a highly effective ECT Induction Lead and Professional Tutor for ITTs. I worked closely with a wide range of external providers (Ambition Institute, Teach First, University of Brighton, KMT, Teach in Kent); successfully embedded instructional coaching; championed evidence-informed practice; and contributed to significantly improved recruitment and retention of teaching staff. 

You can learn more about my experience and skills by reading my CV which is available on my blog.

🎯 I want to continue to work in education; empowering young people by supporting teachers and schools to develop and enhance the the quality of teaching, learning and assessment. Ideally, I am looking to continue as a Vice Principal/Deputy Head. However, I am also open to roles in:  

  • Teacher training and development
  • Curriculum development
  • Educational consultancy

📌 I am happy to relocate for the right school/position but would prefer to remain within reasonable distance of London. Therefore, I am open to roles in:

  • Berkshire
  • Buckinghamshire
  • Essex
  • Hertfordshire
  • Kent
  • London (City/Greater)
  • Oxfordshire
  • Surrey

📬 If you’re curious about me and the impact I can bring to your school/organisation, or you are hiring, or know someone who is, please get in touch. I can be contacted via email or on Linkedin. 

🙏 Thank you in advance for your support!

When life throws you a ‘bouncer’

“Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional” 

~ Crawford, Roger

As I often find with words of wisdom, they have a tendency to crop up just when you need to hear them. In this instance, they came in a weeknote by Doug Belshaw. 

I’ve recently had to make a very difficult life/work decision that I was not expecting. I can’t talk about it openly yet but suffice to say, sometimes life throws you a bouncer and you have to find a way to play. You can either back away and defend or you can attack, hooking the delivery away for four or six (hopefully). I’ve chosen the latter and, while it’s not without risk, I’m confident that I’ve made the right decision for myself and my family. 

After all: “Fortune favours the bold.” (Virgil, Aeneid, 19BC)

Image source: The Library’s Sinking on Tumblr.

First Set Mindset

The “First Set Mindset” flips the script: treat your first set (and every set) like it’s your only set.

~ Schwarzenegger​, Arnold, The Muscle Principles, 2025

Sound advice, and not just for the gym. Apply this philosophy to life and work. 

Approach every action, every task, every project “like it’s your only set.”