Peter Henshaw promoted to editor of SecEd

Don't be an arrogant idiot, be humble but fight your corner and acknowledge those who have a better idea than you, advises Peter Henshaw, editor of weekly secondary education newspaper SedEd.

Mr Henshaw, previously the title's news editor, has been promoted to editor and will now be required to edit features and commission news articles as well as writing news.

"It will be a large workload that will require a good deal of concentration and organisation", Mr Henshaw told journalism.co.uk.

His first taste of the industry was at the Crewe Guardian, after completing his journalism degree at the University of Central Lancashire. Since then he has worked on various titles such as the Epping Guardian and the Wanstead and Woodford Guardian before moving to SecEd in January this year.

Since joining SecEd, he has been involved in the launch of a campaign to highlight false accusations against teachers made by pupils, Don't Abuse My Name, which was recently praised in parliament during the education bill debate.

His advice to budding editors is to work closely with your staff and to remember that you are employed for your skills: "Believe in your choices, and defend them, but be prepared to consider other ideas and be prepared to acknowledge when someone's idea is a better way of doing things.

"Listen to your staff and discuss all ideas with them. You earn their respect by being honest and friendly. Make the tea every so often."

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