There is unrest in the forest…
- Jason Whiskerd
- Oct 29
- 2 min read
I spend a lot of time walking past this tree, and I bet that you are drawn to its splendour and majesty.
I also bet that you are now contemplating the bigger tree in the background, but the one I am really fond of and admire most is the smaller sapling at the forefront of the image.
Yes, an analogy is coming, so please be warned.
Why admire the smaller tree over the larger, more established version? It’s pretty simple; the smaller sapling is fighting for its life, unable to find the light in the canopy, and non-competitive when it comes to drawing an equal amount of nutrients from the surrounding soils. Even the most pragmatic and hard-hearted of observers will want the underdog to thrive in such circumstances. The big tree was once small and in the same position as our heroic sapling.
So what is today’s LinkedIn analogy? Well, the small tree is representative of smaller schools and those schools that can’t seem to find their way to a safer existence in a quite brutal marketplace. Will the larger tree (major established school or school group) inadvertently prevent its smaller, weaker brethren from surviving, or will it share its food stores and help them thrive?
Mother Nature has found a way to nurture all flora, and perhaps we should all double down and push the narrative that different sizes, stages of development, and those with different aims and ethos are a strength rather than a threat. Schools need to think in a similar way to ensure survival, let alone to be able to flourish.
The same can be said for the government, which appears to be hellbent on destroying the independent school ecosystem altogether.
I would also like to stress that, amongst all of the chaos and confusion, great things are happening in terms of innovation and creativity that our schools are renowned for.
If your school is the 'heroic sapling' fighting for light, know that strategic support and expert guidance are available.
Jason Whiskerd Educational Consulting provides future-focused services specifically designed for independent schools, focusing on strategic planning, leadership coaching, and performance improvement to help you secure a safer and flourishing future.
Crucially, all of our specialist education services are available as a bespoke 12-month retainer package designed for long-term partnership and sustained growth.
Visit www.jasonwhiskerd.co.uk to explore how we can help your school thrive, not just survive.
