Sharing Good Practice
unexpected and unseen directions like Disney ’ s Space Mountain , a ride I love . However , I was able to get off . Indeed , a number of colleagues that I worked with for several years and met on numerous occasions , were struggling to cope . My 110 days without a break pale into insignificance in comparison to a number of colleagues who , by the end of term 1 ending in December , will have been close to 300 days !
the ‘ boss ’ who shoulders absolute responsibility , and I feel so fortunate to have worked with a fantastic team , 6 of us in total including my deputy and successor , and everyone ‘ stepped up ’. Like me , they all got some rest over the summer , but I didn ’ t have to go back to the ‘ chalkface ’.
I think it is worth pointing out at this juncture the difference between the global mindset between March and June , compared with September to today . There has been a paradigm shift . During those early days , we were all looking for quick solutions and everything for teachers , pupils and parents were new . After the summer , there was a greater global acceptance of the situation in general , including school openings or otherwise . However , pressures on senior leaders , and in particular the boss , remained huge . As I embarked upon my international educational consultancy journey from rural Dorset in September , well-rested and well away from the sharp end , I wanted to find out how colleagues around the globe were coping . So , I made contact with 20 + heads / principals in countries as far afield as Australia , India , Ghana , Kenya , across the Middle East and back here in the UK . These conversations were via various platforms ( I seem to have them all ), and I have kept in contact with a number of them .
What did I discover ? Obviously , we had common ground as I ’ d ‘ been in the trenches with them ’ so our chats included shared and similar experiences . But what I was more curious about was their wellbeing and how well they felt they had coped and were continuing to cope . Some were doing better than others but all , without any hesitation , had experienced a roller coaster of G-forces throwing them in
So , if you are the boss , what are you doing to make sure that you don ’ t go over the edge ? Are you making time to do whatever it is that gets you away from Space Mountain ? Organisations are generally pretty robust and find a way forwards , even if bosses come and go . So make sure you look after yourself and don ’ t be afraid to ask for help . Could I also urge all teachers to spare a thought for their leadership team and , in particular , the boss ? It has been a tough time for all teachers globally , I know . But it has also been incredibly pressurised for anyone at the top of an organisation . If you get the chance , ask them how they are doing . There ’ s a great advert on the TV here in the UK at the moment encouraging people during these troubled times to surprise someone with a chocolate bar or small treat . Why don ’ t you surprise the boss ? Rest assured they have been fighting your corner with governors and owners and would appreciate it hugely !