Staff wellbeing

Four coaching conversations for school leaders

1 July 2020

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

Student trauma and wellbeing post-lockdown

22 June 2020

When pupils leave lockdown, and return to school it is anticipated that staff will face a range of pastoral, wellbeing and behaviour issues. Teacher and mental health first-aider Amy Sayer considers the challenges that lie ahead...

How can we talk about death?

17 June 2020

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

Using coaching to prevent leadership burn-out

15 June 2020

Research is showing that coaching may be a solution to mass burn-out among school professionals, including school leaders. Viv Grant and Professor Rachel Lofthouse explain their findings

NQTs: Supporting good mental health

11 May 2020

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

6 May 2020

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

29 April 2020

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

Coaching and wellbeing for teachers and school leaders

31 March 2020

Wellbeing has become a key priority for many schools in the UK. In response to this, coaching is increasingly being employed as a CPD strategy to support staff. Helen Webb discusses the ways coaching can be used to improve staff wellbeing

Coronavirus: Crisis management and school closure – issues to consider

18 March 2020

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

LGBT+ in the classroom: I am (not) what I am

29 January 2020

Being a teacher sometimes requires us to forcibly gather our strength to make it through the gates. Gathering strength, gearing up, putting on one’s armour – but must it also include denying one’s self? Nadine Pittam discusses the challenges of being an LGBT+ teacher

NQT Special: Protecting yourself

19 November 2019

Your wellbeing as an NQT is vital and you should be learning now the habits that will sustain you through a long and successful teaching career. As part of SecEd's autumn 2019 NQT special edition, Sophie Howells offers some advice and encouragement

Chickens. candles and staff wellbeing

19 November 2019

If we cultivate freedom and innovation, teacher performance will soar – and this culture begins with middle leaders (as well as with chickens and candles). Peter Radford explains

When death happens: Bereavement in schools

6 November 2019

To mark Children’s Grief Awareness Week, Alison Penny considers how schools can be better prepared to support young people who are coming to terms with the death of someone close

Staff wellbeing: 36 ideas for your school

22 October 2019

How can we ensure the teachers in our school are engaged, motivated and committed to remaining in the profession? Peter Radford offers 36 actions school leaders can take
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