With the news of a new VP Head of Secondary starting soon, the task will be monumental. How do you deal with an exhausted body of staff with a heavily scarred morale? You may have read a number of pedagogy and strategy books or guides and have a wealth of experience but the task will remain a challenge.
Staff will have to come together and unite in making the work environment a positive one. All help and good intentions will be needed to draw a line between what's gone and what's to come. However, you can't just ask staff to do that, to draw again from the nearly dried up well of enthusiasm and positivity. A frank and open dialogue will be necessary to allow for honest feedback, acting on it and also time for healing. Our advice, never promise what you are not sure you can deliver. The memory of the broken promises is still a painful one. If a mistake is made, admit it. To err is human and so is to forgive.
When thinking about a new initiative, consider if it is assessed for its likely impact on work/life balance prior to implementation. Is this done in consultation between management and Governors and staff? Is there a termly (or regular) audit undertaken to determine the additional hours which teachers are working? Is there an acknowledgement that additional tasks prevent the establishment of a work/life balance or carrying out normal duties? Is there confirmation that teachers are not expected to undertake additional tasks that are outside their area of expertise and that they are trained to perform these tasks in a reasonable time frame?
HPL- bin it. We'd rather have leprosy.
It is crucial that the new teacher-governor must be given the opportunity to convey the teachers' conditions to the governors. The new teacher-governor should have the particular responsibility for overseeing and monitoring work/life balance within the school. Is there a commitment to regular communication and consultation with staff on their work/life balance? Is there a commitment to consultation with the Governors on the application and evaluation of the well-being measures?
Some staff members are doing too much, others are doing too little. Will there be an in-depth review of the duties and responsibilities? When the VP Head of Academics is left to carry out a million tasks alone whilst others are missing in action, no wonder errors occur. It is unfathomable why she accepted to do all of those tasks knowing that her close entourage is forgetful, unforgiving and ungrateful. Life is too short as is some people's memory.
There's an opportunity coming soon to dredge the old bed and let the stream of energy flow again. We should embrace it.