Ofsted Watch: A House on the Edge
Things are more than a little bit tense in our house at the moment. The reason? We’re on Ofsted watch – waiting for the call that could change everything. Continue reading Ofsted Watch: A House on the Edge
Tag: mental health
Let’s Talk About Wellbeing: How Schools Get it Wrong
Wellbeing can be defined as being comfortable, healthy or happy – and for many schools, they’re getting this massively wrong with piecemeal pleasantries that masquerade as positive approaches to wellbeing instead of genuine care for their staff. The term ‘wellbeing’ … Continue reading Let’s Talk About Wellbeing: How Schools Get it Wrong
Wellbeing: Where’s Your Happy Place?
Penny talks us through using her idea of a ‘happy place’ when things get tough. Continue reading Wellbeing: Where’s Your Happy Place?
Wellbeing: Spotting the Signs
Imagine the scenario: your colleague in the classroom next to you has been noticeably quieter recently. They have stopped going to the staff room for lunch, isolating themselves in their classroom and often working late into the evening. Far from … Continue reading Wellbeing: Spotting the Signs
Teacher Mental Health: Reactive, not Proactive
While a greater focus and need for mental health provisions has obviously become increasingly prominent in recent years, we ask whether or not steps could be made to make mental health provisions for teachers, especially NQTs having a rough time, … Continue reading Teacher Mental Health: Reactive, not Proactive
How to Talk to Someone about Their Mental Health
If someone is speaking to you about their mental health, there are some key actions you can make to show that you are listening attentively. Listen more than you speak This gives the person the opportunity to share their feelings … Continue reading How to Talk to Someone about Their Mental Health
Mental Health Awareness Week: 7 Things You Can Do
Next week marks Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK (Monday 13th to Sunday 19th May) and it’s important to recognise what you can do to support the mental health of those around you regardless of what they’re going through. … Continue reading Mental Health Awareness Week: 7 Things You Can Do
Can You Spot a Child in an Abusive Relationship?
Debi offers her advice for parents and teachers who’re worried about young people forming new relationships. Debi draws on her many years of experience as a pastoral manager and teacher in secondary schools in East Kent. In this instance, the advice … Continue reading Can You Spot a Child in an Abusive Relationship?
Teaching: A Two-Way Street
There’s probably not a teacher out there who hasn’t had that conversation. The one where you’re being introduced to someone for the first time and they ask what you do. You tell them you’re a teacher, and they smile, nod and say something along the lines of, ‘How rewarding. Knowing that you’re shaping future generations. It must be great to share your knowledge with young people.’ And it is. Mostly. Of course, I’d be lying if I said there weren’t days when I’d rather poke out my eyes with a blunt stick than stand in front of a class, but … Continue reading Teaching: A Two-Way Street
Wellbeing: Practise What You Teach
Imagine the scene: you encounter a pupil, weeping in the playground. You go up and ask them what’s wrong, and they tell you they’re struggling with their homework. It’s all too much. They can’t cope. Or, you become worried about a student in your form who is looking increasingly dishevelled, and constantly exhausted. They’re not sleeping, they tell you. They can’t. They’re too stressed about their exams. Or, you discover that a student in your class is skipping lunch. Every day. Not because they’ve no appetite, but because they want to fit in half an hour of revision in the … Continue reading Wellbeing: Practise What You Teach