IS THE SCHOOL LEADER OKAY ? WHO IS LOOKING OUT FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF SCHOOL LEADERS ?
BY : KIERON PEACOCK
another . There was a strong sense of ‘ being in this together ’ in all that we did . We were strong together and dealt extremely well with all the challenges . We also developed a specific strategy for staff wellbeing with both clear and open communication , accompanied by sensitive and discrete dialogue with those who were struggling . In times of great uncertainty , strong leadership and communication need to be in abundance . That happened and continues to happen around the world with school leaders and , in particular , the person at the top , regardless of job title , shouldering huge responsibilities . But in looking out for and after everyone else there is a danger that the headteacher or principal ( the boss ) may well be teetering on the brink .
Kieron Peacock
I
worked in education for 40 years . 19 of those years were in international education . For 23 of those years , I was a senior leader , and in June , I retired after 7 hugely successful years as the Headmaster of The English School in Kuwait ( TES ). I was a BSME Executive member , the International Representative for IAPS ( Independent Association of Prep Schools ). I am still an international schools inspector . I also now work as a consultant in international education .
The teaching profession was extremely good to me . Like so many colleagues that I worked alongside throughout my career , fellow school leaders I met at conferences and various international meetings and inspections , I always loved my job . Having given notice to the owner , chairman and school governors in June 2019 of my intention to retire a year later , I was at that time looking forward to making the most of my last year working at a great school with an outstanding team , delivering highquality teaching and learning . Like everyone , we watched COVID-19 from afar , but as it gradually began to creep westwards , I don ’ t think any one of us was actually prepared for the impact that this dreadful disease and global pandemic would have on schools . The teaching profession , in general , is a highly pressurised environment . One of several silver linings from remote learning is that parents at least now have a better idea of what is involved .
Like many countries around the world , enforced school closures in March brought a whole new set of pressures to the teaching world . These have been well-documented , and I would never underestimate how teachers have had to respond , and how well they have done . Working with a great team , we got to grips with the situation , supported pupils , staff and parents as a leadership team and supported one
Why do I raise this ? Well , the most challenging time in my 40-year career was from Wednesday , 26th February last year until Sunday , 14th June when my wife Lyndsay and I landed back at Heathrow . Those 110 days without a break and under extreme pressure were a huge challenge , but I got out ! I still worked with the leadership team and my successor until the end of June , preparing for the start of the new academic year . As I gradually began to unwind , even during two weeks of mandatory quarantine , it was only then that I began to sleep better and not wake-up two or three times each night with thoughts flashing across my mind . Lines on my face and bags under my eyes slowly began to disappear , and not because of some new moisturiser ... that only helped a bit ! Having worked with a top-class team extremely skilled and adaptable in dealing with all that the situation had thrown at us , and having felt very much in control of my own emotions throughout the process , it was only when the ‘ bubble burst ’ that I began to realise that the whole experience had pushed me and the team to its limits . But it ’ s ultimately
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Term 2 Jan - Mar 2021 Class Time