A few thoughts for those BLOG readers who run schools......

      Following recent conversations with a couple of principals, I remembered something I wrote in 1984 when I became Principal of my second school - and now part of my next book: Through My Eyes - on becoming a Principal.   

            So, what had I learned during my time at my previous school, Robert Bakewell County Primary School?

CHAPTER TWELVE

So, I was now ready to leave one school and, after the wonderful summer break in Boulder, Colorado, USA, join another. 

What had I learned as Headmaster at Robert Bakewell that I could put in place, when the time and opportunity were right, at Ibstock Junior School? With that nagging question in my head, and wishing I had a cigarette in my hand, I wrote these notes in my journal, thinking I might talk about some of them with one or two fellow Loughborough Headteachers over a pint or two before I left.

THINGS I LEARNED ABOUT BEING A HEADMASTER, on THE JOB – in no particular order of importance (‘cos they’re all important) :

• First of all, make sure you remember that you, the Head of the school, are always on show. Always look the part, sound the part, and do what is expected of a Headteacher. You set the example for your school. Be smart, look smart, BUT don’t give the impression you’re the smartest one on the ship!!

• As important, well, more important, make sure the kids (and staff) are safe and comfortable in and around the school building.

• Always be the first to arrive in the morning and the last to leave in the evening.

• Make sure teachers have everything they need to do what they think is important in their classrooms.
• Resource each teacher's personal teaching style/strength – don’t penny-pinch. Give them what school can afford and what they need to teach THEIR way.
• And, don’t Micromanage!
• Co-teach when possible – then give teachers relevant and useful feedback after you spend a good deal of time learning from and reflecting on what you noticed about  the classroom.
• Meet every teacher at the very least once a month for in-depth, one-on-one conversation about his/her kids, the classroom, their relationship with parents, how they help others in school.
• Ask to see/observe/give feedback their favorite lesson – and the one, if they’re comfortable, that causes them problems.
• Ensure that every staff meeting has a set agenda, snacks, and a beginning and end time.
• Don't use short-term supply teachers – take over a class if a teacher is away for the day, on a course or sick. That way, you keep your hand in, 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.
• Take over a class if a teacher seems unduly stressed – this gives the teacher time to catch his/her breath and you chance to get to know the reality of his/her classroom.
• Tell teachers, in a quiet, private area, about parental complaints.
• Keep teachers, parents and governors informed and up-to-date on school matters that affect everyone.
• Be available to kids, staff and parents. Always. Especially parents.
• As Headmaster, everyone expects you to appear in control – so, when things get a bit tough, don’t let anyone in school know what’s going on in your mind. Well, perhaps your deputy…………
• Make sure your Deputy knows what’s going on behind the scenes. Why? Well, 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 celebration/problem.
• Don't have favorites, kids or teachers. Teachers aren’t daft. If you have favorites, it shows, causes resentment, and can act against you. Kids aren’t daft, either!
• Use the morning assemblies to give staff time off to plan for the upcoming day, or, just have a chat with another teacher over a cup of tea.
• Cut down on out of school meetings and keep staff meetings on track.
• 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 – and be sure to share with parents.
• Have curriculum evenings for parents so they can help their children at home with maths, reading and writing, science and history.
• Share what’s going on in your office, with school secretary and the deputy, at least once a week - part of his training for when he runs his own school – and keeps secretary in the picture.
• Take tea and biscuits to your teachers on parent evenings - and take them to the teaching areas where the meetings are taking place.
• Check on every pupil absence ASAP and keep the teachers posted on what ‘s going on with their children who are at home when they should be in school.
• Get to know those with learning and behavior issues - ensure their needs are met as best you can. Involve the parents, too.
• Develop good relations with the school’s child psychologist.
• Be alert to gender issues, particularly with your staff.
• Participate in sports day [1]and be seen when PTA has jumble sales and other school events.
• Ensure concerts are well rehearsed before they are presented to the public.
• If you bring in parents to help, make sure you talk with them at the beginning as a group, giving guidance on what 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 for all the kids.
• Similarly, arrange as many full day trips as possible, especially for the younger kids.
• Don't go to local pubs at night or over the weekend.
• Don't smoke in public. In fact, don’t smoke at all! That is not what parents want to see!
• Do, though, shop in local shops, especially at weekends, but wear your Head Teacher’s clothes.

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

     

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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!!!!