Advice to new Headteachers

🤔 What would be your top advice to new headteachers?

When you are first appointed Headteacher, you are overwhelmed by new information. You have incessant demands on your time. In my first headship, it took me a while to find my feet but here are some of the most important and impactful strategies I discovered:

😊 Culture and ethos:I completely agree with Peter Drucker’s assertion that ‘culture eats strategy for breakfast’.  You create a strong culture through having a shared set of values which underpins how you work together. These values should be living and breathing and will influence all relationships and dialogue in the school. If you inherit an unhappy team, who are feeling disempowered and overlooked, focus on building psychological safety, so that everyone feels safe to share their views, concerns and challenges.  Make time to listen to colleagues when this is needed.

👥 Collaborate with colleagues:It is easy to become isolated as a head. If you are within a trust or federation, remember to contact your more experienced staff for support. If you are a leading a stand-alone school, try to lean on your networks, or build relationships with other local heads who will understand your role. There is no such thing as a stupid question. Do not suffer in silence.

👩🏼‍💻 Develop others:If you are leading a team who are motivated, empowered and persistent you can achieve anything.  Therefore, you need to think strategically about how you will develop others. It is through them that you will make a difference to the children’s outcomes. You need to think very carefully about the professional development you plan for all staff – not only WHAT you will focus on, but also on HOW you will craft this to ensure that you optimise adult learning.

⛔ Don’t delay the tricky conversation: During my first headship, I worked with a very capable teacher who was not focused enough and was not putting in the required effort needed to ensure that the children flourished in her care. I delayed a tricky conversation for too long, as I didn’t want to upset my colleague.  However, that conversation, when it did finally happen, have a massive positive impact for both the children and the teacher.

👩🏼‍🏫 Foster strengths:Prioritise identifying talent, potential and passions within your staff team. If you can capitalise on this, you will both enrich the provision for the children, and empower your staff to drive improvements.

🏊🏼‍♀️ Prioritise self-care:Find ways to switch off from school. Put boundaries in place so that emails and WhatsApp messages don't bother you at home. Try to have some dedicated time with your loved ones each day. Find a hobby to help you relax.

What strategies would you recommend to a headteacher to help them survive their first year?

If you are feeling that you need some help to survive your first year of headship, I can help! Please email me at info@claireplattcoaching to arrange a free discovery call.