Product reviews for Making The Leap

Reading this book is much like sitting with Jill for a robust and restorative cup of coffee, having the kind of conversation which leaves you reflecting on what you have to offer, what you hope to achieve and with a real sense of how you will go about it. 

With her unique and fundamentally joyful, optimistic voice, Jill shares her impressive wisdom and experience in a book which is well worth a read, whether you're firmly on the path to headship or flirting with the idea from a distance.

Throughout, she balances impressive wisdom and experience with humour and humility - challenge with compassion and potential difficult truths with words of comfort. Jill urges resilience in the face of setbacks, and strongly advises an astute choice of school and context for those aspiring to be heads. The book is full of personal anecdotes - not just of Jill's successes, but of her setbacks and how they made her a better and stronger leader. I was particularly touched by the journey of the champagne bottle to and from the fridge as Jill tried repeatedly to secure a Head of English post in the 1980s.

The book is full of pragmatic advice, from making optimum use of internal and external resources to dealing with expected and unexpected (and sometimes tragic) challenges. It focuses throughout on the crucial importance of relationship-building, careful preparation and noticing and celebrating the -˜bright spots' in your new school.



I'm not yet ready to be a head teacher, but, having read Making the Leap, I feel that the leap itself may not only be possible, but, for all its challenges, with wise choices and careful preparation, could also be a genuinely joyful experience. In addition, this book gives me the feeling that the kinds of heads inspired by the Berry school of thought will be the kinds of leaders who give us genuine reason to be optimistic for our children and our students.