Great Aspirations

Great Aspirations is more than a series of case studies from Outstanding schools; it is a collection of stories of what can be achieved when school leaders believe in achieving the exceptional. It is the latest in a collection of case studies emanating from the Going For Great programme, run by the London Leadership Strategy. Going for Great supports outstanding schools to learn from each other and in turn support the schools around them. Now in its 9th year, Going for Great has supported 130 schools. Each year, a new cohort contributes a book of case studies documenting innovative, inspiring initiatives in their schools. This book is the 8th in that series.

Rachel Macfarlane is the Lead Adviser for Underserved Learners at HFL Education. She served as Headteacher of three contrasting schools over a sixteen-year period.
Rachel has written and contributed to a number of books on the themes of educational disadvantage, the features of great schools, and learning power approaches to education. Her 2021 book, Obstetrics for Schools, addresses the disadvantage gap and how to overcome it. Unity In Diversity (2023) is a practical guide for school leaders keen to develop their schools as anti-racist institutions.
Rachel is passionate about supporting schools to effect social mobility and achieve equity for all learners.