1, Protect yourself
It really is just a job. Although, for most teachers, it is a vocation, the reality is that we are public servants, working in public buildings and funded by public money. When things get tough, reflect that it is not as personal as it feels. Thinking this way may not ease the pain, but it may lend perspective. Honestly, you are not indispensable. If you are not available the school is not going to close, pupils will continue to turn up, and teachers will continue to teach them.
Successful school leaders are taking on more and more responsibility for supporting weak schools. It may be flattering to know you are so trusted and valued but take time to count the cost on your personal life and, if necessary, say no. Nobody will think any less of you.
You need a wingman; a trusted colleague to keep an eye on your wellbeing. They can often see the cracks before you feel them, spot the symptoms before the problem develops. Listen to their counsel and take action to safeguard yourself.
2, You are not alone
The Sir Michael Wilshaw model of the “hero head” is flawed. Hero heads can alienate their staff and then wonder why they are stressed by the hostility. There is strength in shared vision, shared leadership and shared pressure. It’s a lot more fun as a team.
You don’t work in isolation, however much it may feel like it. One of the signs of a leader under pressure is withdrawing from their colleagues. If this is happening to you, or you see it happening to a colleague, talk about it. It adds perspective and others may spot solutions you had not thought of. At the very least, you know you no longer need to bottle it up.
3, Recognise the signs
Workplace stress manifests in many ways. You may be sleeping badly, worrying about work when you should be enjoying your family. You may be smoking more, drinking more. You may be doing more but achieving less and not know why. If you sense any of these things, get yourself to your GP. Don’t neglect yourself – you’ll be no good to your school or your family. If you are signed off then stay off! Not only that, but stay off until you are truly recovered and ready to go back. The school really, really won’t burn down or go bankrupt without you. You may have to put some of your ideas on hold but think of this – if you’re feeling stressed your thinking is probably a bit off-beam anyway.
Give yourself a break. If you have family then enjoy them, visit friends and relatives you never see because you are too busy. Play golf, go fishing, join a choir, but leave school behind. You will know when it is safe to go back.
4, Get some help
There is nothing soft about seeking professional help; it is not an admission of failure. If your local authority or sponsor has a support network then use it. If not, then talk to your union. The National Association of Head Teachers has a professional counselling and advice service. The Teacher Support Network offers rapid access to help. Their 24/7 number is 08000 562 561. If you think you might need help, give them a call right away.
This is about getting real. The very worst that could happen is that the school goes into category and the local authority or the sponsor find a reason to dismiss you.
And that’s about as bad as it can get. And if that happens, what then? You have a heap of experience and skills that you can use in education, even if it is not leading a school and even if it does not command a headteacher’s salary.
But that’s the very worst case; usually the worst that can happen is that you have to explain why the school is not as good as it was. Of course, realistically it is probably just as good or better but the goalposts have been moved while you weren’t looking.
Get a sheet of paper, draw a line down the middle and, in one column write down what you think are the worst things that could happen, in the other write down how you will deal with them if they occur. You’d be surprised how well prepared you really are.
- John Viner is a writer, trainer and consultant. He has a background of 28 years of successful primary headship.