Communal space is often difficult to maintain and can easily become unloved and uncared for. Staffrooms can sometimes feel hostile and yet this is exactly the place where staff need to be able to relax, share experiences, and problems – they must feel that their presence is welcome.
Among all the school issues you have to deal with, the staffroom can come low down on the list. So, make sure your staff know you value them by bringing it up the pecking order. Here are 10 ideas:
1, Everyone needs a staffroom
In a small school you may not have a dedicated staffroom or the luxury of deciding where different groups of staff should meet. In a larger school you will have decisions to make about who the staffroom is for. It is customary for teachers and teaching assistants to occupy the same space and it is likely that your lunchtime staff will use the same facilities but at a different time. But what about your cleaning and caretaking staff?
There are different views on this from “we are all in it together” to “we need our own space where we can discuss common issues”. Both views have value. However, it is worthwhile considering whether your existing practice is the best one for your school.
2, A budget
Consider allocating your staffroom a budget. Of course, a new deluxe kitchen might not be at the top of your priorities. However, maintaining a clean and comfortable space for your staff says a lot about your school and is a clear way of showing staff how much you value them. A small annual budget for repairs and renewal of fixtures and fittings can mean that you never reach the point where your staffroom is letting you down.
3, Staffroom headteacher etiquette
It is important that the staffroom is a place where people feel they can go and share views that may not always align with yours as headteacher. As a school leader you know that there are certain conversations that you’d prefer not to hear. But neither do you want to walk into the staffroom and hear everyone to go silent.
If you don’t want to adopt a knock and enter policy, then an alternative is to stick to a time each day when you can be expected. For example, for 20 minutes of the lunch hour. This way, staff know when it is a good time to approach you informally and you are less likely to enter at an awkward time.
4, Responsibilities
Who is responsible for keeping your staffroom clean and tidy? Of course, the answer is everyone. However, with any shared space there can be issues when it comes to taking responsibility for the environment. Cleaning out the fridge, making sure there’s no washing-up, emptying the dishwasher (if you are lucky enough to have one) – these tasks need consideration.
Someone might be prepared to take it on as part of their job description or perhaps you pay cleaning staff to include this in their list of duties. Creating a rota can be an alternative, but this will also require monitoring and who wants to be responsible during SATs week or an inspection?!
5, Furnishings
Comfortable but functional. Perhaps with an area that can be used for marking and preparation and one for socialising. If you have your staff meetings in the staffroom then you will need to have the capacity to install a circular arrangement of chairs. Keeping the room uncluttered is important, too.
Having said that there will be times when staff are free to pick up an interesting publication or browse over something that they would not normally seek out. So consider a book rack or place to store a few interesting tomes (see point 10).
6, Displays and boards
Take a good look at the boards you have in the staffroom. It is likely that one carries your daily messages and reminders. Having a whiteboard to do this has always made sense. But what about your other wall space?
You might want to reserve some space for staff to advertise local events or opportunities, or perhaps you could use some space for expressions of gratitude – you could pin up notes from parents, children or from staff themselves? One space could be used for information about the next shared staff activity or even photos from the last time you all went out.
All these spaces will need regular maintenance, and someone should take on this responsibility too.
7, Things to do
Of course, staffrooms provide a good opportunity to lay out magazines and educational publications. But there will also be times when a distraction is needed. A jigsaw that people can contribute to as they pass by or a list of favourite films or books where people can add their suggestions?
8, Tea, coffee, and milk
It really isn’t practical for everyone to bring their own and, of course, you will also have visitors who you will want to offer refreshments to. Having a “pot” that people contribute to avoids the necessity of everyone labelling their own. However, you will also have people who complain that they hardly drink any. You simply can’t please everyone. Although you might get around these issues by simply paying for tea and coffee supplies from the staffroom budget (point 2).
Mugs and cups are more individual but do make sure that there are sufficient extras so that when your visitor asks for a coffee you are not begging people to borrow theirs.
9, Splashing out
Whether it is every Friday or just at the end of each half-term or term – build in a chance to show your staff how much you appreciate them. Cream cakes or doughnuts, fresh fruit, or slices of pizza – food is often appreciated but something light and quick that even those on break duty can grab is a wise move.
10, A book of answers
The story of your school will be told in the staffroom. Shared anecdotes, jokes and “you remember when…” moments are an important part of building your school culture.
Teaching is a tough job and there will be days when individual members of staff will need each other. When someone is facing a difficult meeting or a challenging time, why not turn to the Book of Answers by Carol Bolt (Hyperion, 1999) and randomly pick a page. It’s not going to change anything, but it reminds us that worrying about a matter will not bring a solution.
- Suzanne O’Connell is a freelance education writer and a former primary school headteacher. You can find more top 10 tips pieces via www.headteacher-update.com/content/best-practice/category/leadership-and-policy/top-10-tips