Functionally Fluent Teacher

The Functionally Fluent Teacher explores how teachers can build more effective relationships with the key stakeholders in school life - pupils, colleagues, leaders, parents and the wider community. This book argues that genuine inclusive cultures are created not through policies alone but through the quality of everyday interactions. Functional Fluency offers a shared language and practical toolkit to help educators use their limited time and energy more effectively so that both staff and pupils can thrive.

Blending theory with the experiences of practitioners, Steve Willshaw brings the model to life through real-world insights, practical classroom scenarios and case studies. Together, these examples provide a clear roadmap for navigating common professional dilemmas, while offering tools to help schools measure their progress towards becoming truly Functionally Fluent communities.

With a career spanning over 35 years in the education sector, Steve Willshaw has a wide range of experience to draw upon in this book . Steve devoted two decades to teaching secondary English, first in Tower Hamlets and later in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire where he was head of English in two large comprehensives. Then, as a senior school improvement consultant in Lincolnshire, education officer in Guernsey and MAT subject lead for English, Steve spent an additional 15 years steering educational institutions toward greater achievements and higher standards.

Since 2012, Steve has been a licensed provider of the Temple Index of Functional Fluency (TIFF), a tool that enhances self-awareness and interpersonal dynamics. Through this work, he has empowered many individuals to navigate the complexities of communication and collaboration. For the last three years Steve has been the UK Connector for Functional Fluency International, bringing together and growing the provider network. He now works as a freelance Executive Coach, helping teachers and other professionals to thrive at life. Additionally, he records interviews on a wide range of educational topics for Myatt and Co, is an ex-trustee of The National Association for Advisers in English and is Chair of the National Baccalaureate Trust