A JOURNEY TO AND
BEYOND THE BLACKBOARD

As a parent of a child with SEND I found this book to be a wonderful insight into what makes a special school leader tick. Kim Johnson clearly gave a huge part of his life to ensuring there truly was (as he puts it) ‘no ceiling to their learning’. Undoubtedly he touched the lives of so many children and young adults with care, compassion, fun , laughter and determination to be proud of who they were and could go on to be. His understanding and relationship with SEND is a breath of fresh air to the likes of me and my child. Kim Johnson’s story is fascinating and inspirational and I’ve read it twice now !

I love my job albeit that some days it’s tough as a SENCO in a school. To read this book is to be encouraged to remember why I do it and how enjoyable & fulfilling it really is. A great story and a great read.

Thanks Mr J!

The author was my Headteacher when I was in an EBD School due to my troubled teenage years. Always firm but fair …. direct but caring ….. his ability to encourage change and make me believe I could sustain it eventually worked. I look back now and realise how much I owe him. My past is a chapter of my own life which I don’t  share and thanks to him I have successfully moved on from. Your book is a great read sir and sits on my bookshelf as a fond reminder of you. Thanks Mr J!

Can’t be true …. Can it ? Wonderful Book!

Well I enjoyed this book and remain amazed after the ups and downs, the trials with certain staff and parents, the battles with some Ofsted inspectors & LEA staff and politicians that the author remained so positive about his 39 years in education. A true professional and inspiring character with a single minded focus on providing the very best for the most challenging and disenfranchised children in our education system. A captivating read worthy of a bigger audience than just those in teaching.

Did more than made me think … made me change my career pathway ! Inspiring Book …What a great insight into teaching

The Head of 6th Form told me of this book and said my mum (a SENCO in a secondary school) would like it as a birthday present. So I bought it, then just had to read it myself. Well the result was my mum got it as a second hand book, I enjoyed the read myself and have now applied for teacher training after all the things I’d previously said ! Quite a story, quite a journey and undoubtedly quite a character. I look forward to working with the likes of Kim Johnson as a school leader once qualified and hope to enjoy similar highs in the profession. My mum is reading the book now and her smile is as much about what it has done for me as it is in celebrating the joy of reading about working in SEND.

Inspiring Book …What a great insight into teaching

As a relatively new teacher this book caught my eye and I thought it a worthy read. Oh how I was so pleased to have done so as it captured my attention and I enjoyed it throughout. So interesting to see the author’s journey from being a pupil at Primary School all the way to four headships in quite different, difficult and testing schools. I’d recommend this to anyone in teaching or entertaining the thought of embarking on such a career. It most certainly won’t put you off ….. quite the opposite it will encourage you to be adventurous and positive in your own journey. That’s how it has impacted on me and I’m grateful to Kim. 

An Authentic Account of a Dedicated School Leader

Kim Johnson’s book is a really great read and so very authentic. It really comes alive with such a rich blend of the personal and the professional impactful events and large shifts in his life.His humanity and dedication shines through on every page. Such lovely memories conveyed by him and illustrating how his journey shaped him to become a great leader with many schools where his fantastic work transformed numerous lives. 

An absorbing mixture of the personal and the professional 

This is a book which will definitely interest those within the education field but will equally entertain a general audience. Childhood memories and personal stories combine with insights into the world of education. I especially enjoyed the many accounts of interactions with a variety of students. It is clear that, to Kim, his involvement in teaching and education was more than a career, it was a lifelong vocation. He has made his mark across a range of educational settings and has improved the life chances of many students along the way. It’s a good read!

A fascinating insight into the admirable drive of a successful school leader. 

I found this book totally fascinating and admire the drive and dedication Kim Johnson showed in order to make things happen in his numerous schools. Progress in an educational organisation is dependent on having a clear message that all members can identify with so they can support their Headteacher and also feel supported themselves. It is absolutely clear that Kim achieved that.Kim’s specific examples (what a memory!) give real strength to his story and showed how hands on he was and how he was very dedicated to his staff team and students. Both so vital and key to his lengthy success as a school leader.

Coming from a different industry I found it encouraging to read that the public sector has similar challenges to the private one, requiring brave leadership to avoid giving recognition to mediocrity and driving excellent people to continuously improve.

A fascinating journey of an inspirational leader of education.

This book charts the fascinating journey of an inspirational leader of education, both at a local and national level. Full of wit and wisdom, it is a timely, and much-needed reminder, of what draws us into teaching. A timeless story of someone who wanted (and succeeded!) in making a difference. An inspiring read.

Awesome Account of an Amazing Headteacher 

When you consider the choice the author made to work with some of the most challenging 7-16 year old boys in our school system … and the fact he was hit, punched, spat at and even stabbed … yet stuck with them to try and get them to aspire to calm, respectful and honest ways … You just have to admire him. This book tells the story of a man, teacher and school leader who loved his job and to put it quite simply : I am in awe of him. It’s the detail of interactions with EBD pupils and conversational exchanges with them and teaching colleagues (parents and many others) which give his book its unique impact. What a story …. tremendous to follow Kim’s journey from boyhood to nationally known school leader.

An absorbing mixture of the personal and the professional 

This is a book which will definitely interest those within the education field but will equally entertain a general audience. Childhood memories and personal stories combine with insights into the world of education. I especially enjoyed the many accounts of interactions with a variety of students. It is clear that, to Kim, his involvement in teaching and education was more than a career, it was a lifelong vocation. He has made his mark across a range of educational settings and has improved the life chances of many students along the way. It’s a good read!

A fascinating insight into the admirable drive of a successful school leader. 

I found this book totally fascinating and admire the drive and dedication Kim Johnson showed in order to make things happen in his numerous schools. Progress in an educational organisation is dependent on having a clear message that all members can identify with so they can support their Headteacher and also feel supported themselves. It is absolutely clear that Kim achieved that.Kim’s specific examples (what a memory!) give real strength to his story and showed how hands on he was and how he was very dedicated to his staff team and students. Both so vital and key to his lengthy success as a school leader.

Coming from a different industry I found it encouraging to read that the public sector has similar challenges to the private one, requiring brave leadership to avoid giving recognition to mediocrity and driving excellent people to continuously improve.

A fascinating journey of an inspirational leader of education.

This book charts the fascinating journey of an inspirational leader of education, both at a local and national level. Full of wit and wisdom, it is a timely, and much-needed reminder, of what draws us into teaching. A timeless story of someone who wanted (and succeeded!) in making a difference. An inspiring read.

Coming from a different industry I found it encouraging to read that the public sector has similar challenges to the private one, requiring brave leadership to avoid giving recognition to mediocrity and driving excellent people to continuously improve.

A fascinating journey of an inspirational leader of education.

This book charts the fascinating journey of an inspirational leader of education, both at a local and national level. Full of wit and wisdom, it is a timely, and much-needed reminder, of what draws us into teaching. A timeless story of someone who wanted (and succeeded!) in making a difference. An inspiring read.

A Life Dedicated to Education & SEN

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I have just finished this book. A really interesting read, a life dedicated to education and SEN. Really inspirational to read and to make us all think about our journeys!

An antidote for mediocrity in educational leadership

Kim’s experience is as deep as it is wide. There is so much for teachers and leaders here in all settings. Kim reveals the roots of his practice through his own story. This book drips with experience, understanding, and integrity. Kim shows us how great leaders are made. His experience is striking, relevant, and inspiring.

Inspirational reading for the aspiring teacher.

Kim draws on years of varied, multidisciplinary experiences to document successful strategies for achieving success as a teacher and especially a leader in getting the best out of students. Kim emphasises the need to focus on understanding pupils and students first, and of establishing mutually respectful relationships prior to sharing subject content.

This book should be a compulsory read for any aspiring teacher, headteacher, governor, LEA adviser or OFSTED inspector.

Fascinating Insight to a life dedicated to Education.

I found this book very readable.  I really liked the historical aspect of how childhood experiences feed into the development of the author’s career at the top of education for Special Needs and disabilities. I was struck by the management of behavioral change in driving progress in an educational environment.  Not too dissimilar to dragging commerce into the future!! All in all a great read!

A fascinating account of a life spent in education from schooldays to senior leadership.

Kim has written a fascinating biography in which the strands of both his personal and professional life are skilfully inter-woven to produce a rich tapestry illustrating the highs, lows and everything in between of a life spent working in education. Entertaining, instructive and, at times, amazing; this is a book to be both enjoyed and shared.