For the eyes of a Principal/Headteacher

On Being a Headmaster/Principal

From my journal, 1976. When I left one school to take on another, I made a list of what I thought I had learned when running Robert Bakewell SC School.................and, this morning, when reading it, I thought it might be of interest to those currently in the role of Head/Principal of school. Or it might amuse them.

THINGS I LEARNED ON THE JOB – in no particular order of importance:

         First of all, make sure you remember that you, the Head of the school, are always on show. You set the example. Wherever you are, in and out of school. So, always look the part, sound the part, and do what Mr/Mrs Everyman and their child expects of a Headteacher.  Don't, for example, go to local pubs or restaurants at night or over the weekend. Don't smoke in public. That is not what parents want to see! Do, though, shop in local shops, especially at weekends, but wear your Headmaster’s suit.

       As important, perhaps even more so, make sure you have, as your highest priority, the safety and comfort of your kids and staff, in and around the school building.

         
OK, here's the list:

• Always be the first to arrive at school in the morning and, whenever possible, the last to leave in the evening.
•   Make sure your teachers/assistants/helpers have everything they need in order to do what they think is important in their classrooms.
•          Resource each teacher's personal teaching style. Don’t penny-pinch. Give them what they need to teach. Consequently, make sure your PTA is active and always looking for ways to financially support your teachers.
•          Co-teach when possible – then give teachers relevant and useful feedback after you spend a good deal of time in their classrooms.
• And, when you do, don’t micromanage! Full ownership of one’s classroom is a key factor in a teacher’s success with his/her class.
•          Meet every teacher once a month in and around their teaching areas for one on one conversation where s/he feels respected and have chance to reflect on what’s going on in his/her classroom. During that time, ask to see his/her favorite lesson.
•          Tell teachers, in a quiet, private area, about parental complaints that involve them. Convey that the discussion remains private and confidential.
•          Take over a class if a teacher seems unduly stressed – this, in a respectful manner, gives the teacher time to catch his/her breath.
•          Keep teachers, parents and governors informed and up-to-date on school matters that affect everyone.
•          Don't use short-term subs – take over a class if a teacher is away for the day, perhaps on a course or on sick leave. That way, you keep your hand in, as a teacher, you see the realities of the classroom,  AND, it gives you far more credibility when talking at staff meetings or when giving feedback to individual teachers. It also means you walk in their shoes, meaning you can answer parent criticisms much better when you know what the teacher faces each and every day.
•          Be available to staff and parents. Always. 
•          As Headmaster, everyone expects you to appear in control – so, when things get a bit tough, don’t let anyone know what’s going on in your mind. Well, make sure your Deputy knows what’s going on behind the scenes. S/he has to pick up the pieces if you’re not in school.
•          Don't share current administrative/parent/governor issues with staff (again, except the deputy) UNLESS one of them is the focus of the problem.
•          Don't have favorite kids or teachers. It shows, it causes resentment, and it can act against you in the most unpredictable ways.
•          Use assemblies to give staff time off to plan for the upcoming day, or, to just have a chat with another teacher over a cup of tea.
•          Cut down on out of school meetings. If necessary, inform your superiors in the central administration that, unless a meeting’s agenda is urgent, you’d rather have the information sent to you.
•          Respect teachers’ time and keep staff meetings on track. keep the meetings relevant.
•          Share the chair role at staff meetings – different chairperson for each meeting. This gives you better opportunity to say what’s on your mind.
•          Have a clear, agreed discipline process, share with parents.
•          Have 'hands on' participatory curriculum evenings for parents so they can help their children at home with maths,  reading and writing, science and history.
•          Share much of what’s going on in your office, with school secretary and the deputy, at least once a week - part of his/her training for when s/he runs his own school – and keeps secretary in the picture.
•          Put together a tray of tea and biscuits to teachers on parent evenings and take to the teaching areas.
•          Check on every pupil absence ASAP and keep the teachers posted on what‘s going on with their pupils.
•          Get to know those with learning and behavior issues - ensure their needs are met as best you can.
•     Develop good relations with child psychologist.
•          Be alert to gender issues, particularly with your staff.
•          Participate in sports day  ^[1] and be seen when PTA has jumble sales.
•          Ensure concerts are well rehearsed before they are presented to the public.
•          If you bring in parents to help in your classrooms, make sure you talk with them as a group, giving guidance on what is and what is not acceptable visitor behavior in the classroom.
•          Encourage the PTA to fund raise as often as possible.
•          Arrange overnight camps at the beginning of the school year – this experience is a great community builder. Get PTA to cover the cost.
•          Similarly, arrange as many full day trips as possible for the younger kids.

• Last, but not least, try, try to leave school behind each day - don't let its daily flood of issues impact your private life.

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^[1] I made a point of challenging the fastest boy and the fastest girl to a hundred metre sprint, dressed in my Headmaster’s regalia. And, I always won!!!!