LEADERSHIP+ The Professional Voice of Principals
Stronger Together
The Importance of Principal Support Groups IRENE SIMMONS PRINCIPAL SCOIL MHUIRE GAN SMÁL, LETTERKENNY As school leaders, we spend a lot of time supporting others. We support staff through challenging personal situations and we support pupils and their parents/guardians through the many trials and tribulations that life brings. In turn it must recognised that school leaders also need support. I’ve been an administrative principal for 12 years and, for 10 of those years, a member of an informal, local principal support group. Membership of this group has been a significant support to me during this time and, without exaggeration, it was a life saver while trying to navigate the COVID-19 crisis. As part of the Masters of Education in School Leadership (MESL) in the University of Limerick, I carried out research to explore the potential of principal support groups. I was interested in how other members experienced our group. The findings of the research highlighted the benefits of principal support groups. MEMBERSHIP OF A PRINCIPAL SUPPORT GROUP MAKES MY JOB EASIER Participants in the research believed that meeting other principals, sharing experiences and knowledge, made their job easier. They appreciated the value of having access to individual members with expertise in different areas of education. They spoke of seldom leaving a meeting without gaining some additional knowledge. The support group acts as a ‘living curriculum’ where knowledge is co-constructed through social interactions. Much of the knowledge generated in a support group will not be found in a DE circular! Participants agreed that membership of the support group was (and still is) crucial during the COVID-19 crisis. Online meetings enabled them to respond with agility to the rapidly changing COVID situation: procuring PPE, making sense of policies and 26
sharing ‘what worked’ on the ground. A WhatsApp group allowed for almost immediate response to queries and continues to be a real support when members need information quickly.
group, creating trust among members and, by extension, the assurance of confidentiality. All participants considered confidentiality as key to the success of the group.
Sometimes principalship can be a lonely place to be. Being connected to others who could identify with this was considered a significant support.
CONCLUSION The factors that make the group work align with a ‘Communities of Practice’ (CoP) model. CoPs are ‘groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do, and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly’. Consider setting up a principal support group: reach out to colleagues who share a similar school context, arrange a set time to meet once a month, discuss matters of concern and how they can be resolved, set up a WhatsApp group.
MEMBERSHIP HELPS MY WELLBEING Sometimes principalship can be a lonely place to be. Being connected to others who could identify with this was considered a significant support. Participants described the group as a safe, non-judgemental place to be where worries and concerns could be unloaded, reciprocity and validation experienced, advice and reassurance offered and knowledge shared in a collegial and supportive atmosphere. Membership is an effective way of providing social and emotional support for school leaders especially during such a difficult and uncertain time. FACTORS THAT MAKE THE PRINCIPAL SUPPORT GROUP WORK No hierarchy or roles in the group promotes equality among members. The informality of meetings with no agenda or minutes works well for members creating a relaxed atmosphere conducive to sharing. No need for prior preparation alleviates pressure which is a boon in an already highly pressurised job. Topics that are relevant at the time of the meeting are discussed and a solutions-based approach is used to solve issues of concern. The building of strong local relationships over time was identified as a key factor in the success of the
Principals are practical by nature (we have to be!). Setting up a support group is a practical way to access significant support, making our job easier and helping our wellbeing. We are stronger together. If you would like to know more about this research, Irene can be reached by email at smgsprincipal@ gmail.com. LINK
PLEASE NOTE: IPPN and ESCI are working together to provide a Local Support Group (LSG) for every school leader who wishes to join one. Please contact your local Education Centre Director or your IPPN County Representative for information on a LSG near you.