Educating Drew: The real story of Harrop Fold School

by Drew Povey

Telling the remarkable story of Harrop Fold School in Salford, from their unprecedented GBP2.5m debt to being featured in the BAFTA-award nominated Educating Manchester TV series. Drew Povey was one of the youngest Heads in the country when he was appointed aged 32 in 2010. Through sheer determination and strong, visionary leadership, Drew and his management team (including his two brothers) have wiped out the GBP600k a year deficit and are reducing the huge debt - while continuing to get standout results from pupils. Their book reveals the untold story of their struggles, and the unique leadership style that has seen a quite stunning turnaround in a school once labelled one of the worst in the country.

Genres: Education, Teaching

302 pages, Paperback

Published October 9, 2017

Reviews

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book!
The author's passion is weaved right through as is his determination to show true and positive leadership to Harrop Fold School.
He is honest about the many challenges faced by the school and is outspoken about the need to question unfair practices within the general school system.
It is a hugely enjoyable book. I have passed this on to a member of the family who is a teacher.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot praise this book enough. I would recommend it to all. It really opens your eyes to a lot of the barriers that are put in place that are stopping our kids education. Ultimately it’s a success story it’s a great read and it’s got a lot of inspiration in it. I found Drew Povey through a podcast. I went back and watched the series and finally read the book. It makes me want to get up and start a revolution!!!! Brilliant brilliant brilliant!!!!! 5 stars doesn’t do it justice!!!

[Paul Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely fantastic and awe inspiring book. The level of Leadership this Head Teachers shares is really amazing. A number of challenges around leadership including the leadership of children and yong people. Similar to leadership and influencing in the volunteer sector, it is not easy to do. What this guy has done is fabulous and provides all the pupils with a great platform with which to grow and strengthen.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down. Took it with me to read on a work trip in India and it only lasted a few evenings. Thoroughly interesting and amazing account of Drew's methodologies and attempts to improve standards and pupil's (and teacher's) lives at his school.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading about Drew's story. I felt he was honest and led with integrity. I really enjoyed how he focused on the children. It sounds like he made a difference in his time at Harrop Fold.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

B

An honest, grounding read which inspires you to want to continue changing lives as an educationalist. Couldn't put it down

[helen hibbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational

Thank you anyone working in a school or with one needs to read keep going team harrop you are making the difference

[Anthony Poole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good short read for anyone in Education or anyone who has watched Educating Manchester.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a funny, heart-warming and honest account of the struggles that are involved with school improvement. This is not just an auto-biography of a headteacher that’s been on the telly - there are clear elements of carefully considered educational and leadership research throughout. However, Drew Povey is a headmaster and a human. His approach to building and developing his team of staff, and then getting the students on board is, by his own admission, not a one size fits all model and he is open about when things haven’t gone to plan. It’s encouraging to see his devotion and commitment to Harrop Fold and it’s community and certainly reminds us of why we do the job that we do - for the students.

[Gemma Blackburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what teaching is all about. A truly inspiring leader.