The Coffee-Chatterers

My friends and family know what I do for a living and, as such, it’s not unusual to get random texts, emails and phone calls about all things ‘independent education’.  Always interesting, sometimes useful.

My absolute favourite texts are when they are sat in a coffee shop and overhear some school-related chitchat. Well, overhear makes it sound like they are spying. Which they most certainly aren’t (I’m not that influential!)  They are going about their own business and are interrupted by people (often loudly) broadcasting their opinions, news and gossip about their schools.

Here’s the thing – ‘the school gate’ has always been a communications issue.  That, however, is parents’ talking to each other and (although dangerously problematic) it is fairly self-contained.  The Coffee-Chatterers, as I like to call them, are in a public space.  They can, and often will be, overheard.

So, today’s flurry of texts gave me a fantastic description of just how (I quote) ‘ineffective’ the Head is at a prominent school and what their failings were.  Exactly why the Bursar is ‘useless’ and why pupils are being ‘pulled out’.

Here’s the nub. These weren’t parents. These were teachers.  According to my source (love the fact I can use this phrase!), there wasn’t a person in that coffee shop who wasn’t left with the same impression as them – that there were major problems at that school.  

Your reputation isn’t just created at the school gate; it’s ‘brewed’ in coffee shops and percolated by your staff. Whilst their job satisfaction is obviously key, their discretion (and alignment to your school’s brand and future success) is even more vital.