Education Matters by

Satis Education

Staff Wellbeing – the key to a successful school

Schools are exciting places to be in December for pupils and staff alike: full of the buzz of excitement for Christmas. However, in contrast the cold months of January and February when winter bugs are at their peak can really take a toll on staff. And without a healthy and happy workforce, a school will never be a happy place for pupils. So, what can headteachers and governors do to ensure they look after their staff wellbeing?

Developing and promoting a culture of staff wellbeing is essential to a healthy school. Supporting staff and building trust leads to a happier team, higher performance, better retention and a motivated environment. But how can we achieve this?

From the work the Satis Education team do with schools nationally we have seen some great ideas, including:

- Wellbeing workshops – Dedicated time for staff to connect with each other whilst doing something different to help boost their mood. For example, half termly activities such as yoga, crafting or baking.

- Mental Health Champions – Identifying mental health champions places good mental health at the heart of the school. It can be really effective to give interested staff the ownership over promoting mental health to their colleagues. Talking openly about mental health goes a long way to breaking down any stigma, allowing staff the security of knowing they’re in a safe space.

- A wellbeing noticeboard – Create a go-to space where staff can check out all the wellbeing initiatives that are going on. This could include a “menu” of events and activities, contacts of who your Mental Health Champions are, and how to sign up for training.

Finally, don’t forget it’s not just children and young people who benefit from praise. Consider how you show gratitude for each other at your school. Staff rewards can be formal or informal. Some schools have gone down the route of “Star of the Month” – formally recognising the efforts of an individual. In other schools, staff rewards are managed more informally. However, if you do it in your school make sure gratitude is shown regularly – it’s surprising the effect a simple “thank you” can have.

Satis Education have a team of associates including experts in staff development and wellbeing. To find out more about how we can support with your Staff Wellbeing Strategy admin@satiseducation.co.uk