Will Ryan
Curriculum - Pedagogy - Leadership
In a world where we always seem to be chasing the next new shiny thing and educators are chasing the next silver bullet to shoot themselves in the foot with, we can overlook the immense power of wisdom to make a difference to our day-to-day lives.
And Will Ryan, with his many years’ experience in all sorts of challenging schools as a teacher, headteacher and senior advisor, has wisdom in spades.
It is why he has been one of our most requested speakers for so many years as a long-time Associate of Independent Thinking. That and the fact that he still brings new ideas and insights and an unabated passion for doing the right thing for all children and young people to his work.
Will spent most of his teaching, leadership and advisory career working in what he refers to as the ‘People’s Republic of Rotherham’ but has an enviable overview of what makes great schools and great classrooms tick. For him it is about starting the job with a clear focus on what our moral purpose is, something that transcends SAT results or inspection reports.
It is something he articulated clearly in his first book for the Independent Thinking Press Leadership With a Moral Purpose, showing how we need to lead school from the inside – hearts and minds – not the outside – bowing to external pressures and keeping others happy.
He followed this up with Inspirational Teachers, Inspirational Learners, described in a 10/10 review by the TES as ‘the inspirational text that should be on the reading list of all educational administrators and on the bedside table of all school leaders and classroom teachers’.
![](/media/4d2bysud/screenshot-2024-07-31-at-155427.png?width=49&height=48)
"Dare to be different to discover how to lead and teach with both heart and soul."
Will Ryan
Recent titles include:
- Daring to be Different: The Science and Art of Inside-out Leadership
- Creativity and Outdoor Learning
- Linking Literacy with the Arts to Develop Beauty-Full Learning
Described by one delegate recently as ‘Education’s Michael Macintyre’, Will doesn’t let that stop him from entertaining and challenging audiences in equal measure across the country and is often a repeat booking for schools who want more of his invaluable input and wisdom.
Combining a sharp eye for the ludicrous nature of school policies with a genuine and heartfelt love for the profession and craft of teaching, Will inspires teachers and school leader alike to reevaluate what is they are doing and why they are doing it.
In this way they go back to their classrooms and staff rooms with a renewed belief in the power of the work they are doing and the confidence to do what is the right thing for the children in their care.
Will has written some great contributions to several of our collaborative books over the year, including our latest best seller The Working Class. Here he gives an intensely moving account of the inspiring work being done in the primary schools of Rotherham after the serious issues faced by this town in recent years. It is testament to a community with values-driven schools at its heart, something for which Will is so proud of having played his part.
For a warmly entertaining look at what it takes for schools to be even better, delivered from the heart in a no-nonsense and compassionate way, then it is Will’s wisdom you need to tap into.
Will Ryan In His Own Words
“INSPIRATION: THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PEOPLE ACHIEVING
POTENTIAL AND EXCEEDING IT” - INSPIRATIONAL TEACHERS,
INSPIRATIONAL LEARNERS
- To enquire about booking Will, call us on +44 (0)1267 211432 email us at learn@independentthinking.co.uk
- Will has been with Independent Thinking since 2006
- You'll find him in our Leadership and Teaching and Learning topic areas
- You can watch Will in conversation with Dave Harris and Ian Gilbert in 2020 here
- You might also want to consider Jonathan Lear
Enjoy a free consultation. Make a booking.
Haggle a bit. All acceptable.
Give us a call on +44 (0)1267 211432 or drop us a line at learn@independentthinking.co.uk.
We promise to get back to you reassuringly quickly.