A vibrant staffroom can make a huge difference to a school. Head George McMillan gives Liam Donnison his perspectives on leading a happy and motivated school team

London headteacher George McMillan’s recipe for a happy staffroom is, on the face of it, a disarmingly simple one.

“Work/life balance is really important but the most important factor is whether that work environment is toxic or not,” he explained.

“You can work in an environment for five hours a week and break with stress or you can work much longer hours in a place that’s the opposite of toxic and be perfectly happy.

“It’s about creating an environment that is as far from toxic as you can possibly make it.”

George believes he knows an unhappy school when he sees it. In 2011 he took over the headship at what is now Harris Academy Greenwich, working with Dr Chris Tomlinson as executive head.

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