In The Honest Headteacher, Hannah Carter shares the unfiltered reality of school leadership - what works, what doesn't and what no one ever tells you before you take the job. It mixes practical advice with personal stories and lessons learned the hard way, on the view that headship is about persistence, purpose and people rather than perfection.

Becoming a headteacher is a wild ride. You're expected to lead with confidence, handle crisis after crisis, and somehow keep your sense of humour intact. Nobody tells you what to do when you return from maternity leave to hear, "You can be a good mother or a good leader, but not both". Nobody warns you that you might end up in a TikTok video... as a kitten.

The Honest Headteacher will support you to:

  • Make a measurable impact in the first 50 days of your headship
  • Navigate difficult conversations with staff and parents
  • Build resilience for the inevitable crises that will occur
  • Maintain your authenticity while meeting competing expectations
  • Plan for the unexpected
  • Develop your own sense of what school leadership means
  • Set out the next steps in your leadership journey

Praise for *The Honest Headteacher*

A refreshingly honest and practical guide to headship, The Honest Headteacher blends wisdom, humour, and hard-earned lessons for school leaders. Hannah’s candid insights make this an essential read for anyone navigating the complexities of school leadership.

Jonathan Coy - Founder of Headteacher Chat, Headteacher, Deputy CEO, Fellow of the Chartered Institute, Trustee.

A guide that is practical and relevant to headship. Dip into the chapter that resonates and find solutions and support for your leadership journey.

Diana Osagie - Courageous Leadership CEO, Lead Inspector for Ofsted, experienced Executive Headteacher

About the author

Hannah Carter is a school leader with more than 15 years' experience, much of it in challenging contexts, with a focus on equity and inclusion.

She has led schools where traditional approaches had failed pupils, working to remove barriers, support staff and build trust-based relationships with young people. Her ethos is rooted in inclusion, compassion, and the understanding that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, deserves a quality education and a clear pathway to success.

Hannah's leadership journey has included leading schools with significant SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) and SEMH (social, emotional, and mental health) provisions. She collaborated with experienced SENCOs and other specialists to ensure that inclusion strategies are evidence-based, tailored to individual needs, and fully integrated into the school culture, so that all students, regardless of need, can flourish.

Where else can I find Hannah's work?

Hannah has written articles for a number of publications, including HWRK Magazine, Teach Primary and RISE, as well as appearing on the HeadteacherChat, Teacher Talk Radio and Beat the Burnout podcasts.

About the book

  • Author: Hannah Carter.
  • Series: The Honest Educator Series.

Source: the book's description held in this record; no publisher page could be fetched to confirm publisher, date or ISBN, checked 13 October 2026.