Staff wellbeing

Four coaching conversations for school leaders

Coaching can have a positive influence on staff wellbeing, morale and performance in schools. Denise Barrows outlines four particularly powerful coaching conversations that leaders can use to achieve this sort of transformative impact

How can we talk about death?

?As schools begin to re-open to more students, we will need to deal with conversations about death, bereavement and grief. In this article, teacher Zinnia Wilkinson explains how she worked with her students after the death of her daughter

NQTs: Supporting good mental health

Supporting trainee teachers with their mental health and helping them to develop good habits for the future is vital – but are we doing enough? Pearl Gibson looks at work in Essex to support new teachers

The virtual staffroom: Morale and engagement during lockdown

During lockdown, we must not neglect staff morale and wellbeing. Denise Barrows looks at how school leaders can deepen trust and connections with and between staff. She considers our one-to-one interactions and how to build a virtual staffroom environment

Protecting teacher wellbeing during lockdown

While we are doing all we can to support the wellbeing of our young people during the school closures, we must not forget our teachers. From financial grants to mental health support, Sophie Howells advises

Keeping pupils safe online during lockdown

Online safety has become even more of a priority for schools and families during the coronavirus lockdown. Kathryn Day describes how schools can promote online safety while children are away from the classroom

Coaching: A solution to leadership burn-out?

New research shows that coaching may be an effective solution to potential burn-out among school professionals, including leaders. Viv Grant and Professor Rachel Lofthouse outline their findings

Case study: Creating a happy school

Headteacher, John Bryant, was named Happiest School Employee in the National Happiness Awards. Emma Lee-Potter finds out how his school has put happiness at the heart of its work

Coronavirus: Crisis management and school closure – issues to consider

Schools are closing across the UK in the face of the coronavirus emergency. As they prepare to shut their doors, Matt Bromley looks at some of the issues headteachers will need to think about, including practical considerations, supporting staff, the continuation of learning, and safeguarding

Planning for school security

Headteachers are very much aware of the need to protect pupils and staff. However, navigating the guidance and legal obligations can be difficult. Suzanne O’Connell looks at new online advice to help those responsible for policy and practice

November’s priorities for new headteachers

This year in Headteacher Update, National Leader of Education, Helen Frostick, is offering term-by-term advice for those new to school headship. In her second article, she focuses on issues including Pupil Premium, staff wellbeing, Ofsted and data as the autumn term enters the home straight

Supporting teacher practice and wellbeing

Drury Primary School in North Wales has developed a staff programme called the SWIG Club, which promotes wellbeing and encourages teachers to share good practice. Liz Jones explains

Create a healthy workplace in your school

The Education Support Partnership is getting record levels of calls from school staff seeking support and advice. Richard Faulkner urges primary schools to signpost staff to this often vital support

Therapeutic schools: Looking after yourself...

Our therapeutic schools series continues. This time, Shahana Knight turns her attention to you – the teacher. If we do not look after teachers’ mental health then how can they be expected to support our pupils?

Looking after your teaching voice

As a teacher, losing your voice can be debilitating and is an ever-present risk given how much we talk day-to-day. Do you look after your voice? Nikki Doig offers some practical tips

Staff wellbeing: Taking care of ourselves

Learning how we can handle and beat stress is vital to maintaining our wellbeing as teachers and school leaders. Ross McWilliam offers some practical reflections and easy techniques

Addressing secondary traumatic stress

Secondary trauma occurs when the act of supporting a traumatised young person becomes traumatic in itself – and it is a danger that teachers should be aware of. Darren Martindale advises

In defence of the staffroom

When it comes to staff wellbeing, the staffroom plays a crucial role. Kate Sarginson offers some ideas to give staff morale and wellbeing a boost

Ofsted and our wellbeing

Consultation over the draft Education Inspection Framework will close soon. Philippa Stobbs looks at the potential within the proposals to foster better teacher and pupil wellbeing

The dark days of winter...

Stress and mental health difficulties can be harder to handle during the dark winter nights. How can we support our staff?

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Headteacher Update is the only magazine delivered directly to every primary school headteacher in the UK. It is published six times a year, at the beginning of each term and half-term, to keep headteachers up-to-date with everything going on in primary education.

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