1. Listen to your staff: A personalised approach to well-being
Mandy’s number one piece of advice for schools is to actively engage with staff to understand their needs. “Every school is different,” she notes. What works well for one school might not for another, so it’s crucial to conduct staff surveys, run focus groups, and keep the lines of communication open. By getting to the heart of what your staff value, you can create an environment that is supportive and responsive, reducing turnover and improving morale.
2. Be creative about workload
Excessive workload is often cited as a primary reason for staff burnout in schools. Mandy advises leaders to take a fresh look at their practices: “Do we need to do it this way?” she asks. Simple changes, like cutting unnecessary tasks and embracing new technologies such as AI, can help ease the burden on staff. Additionally, she suggests being mindful of peak times and adjusting schedules accordingly - for instance, allowing for earlier finishes during particularly busy periods. By planning ahead and being flexible, school leaders can ensure that staff are not overwhelmed.
3. Build a coaching culture
Performance management doesn’t need to be a tick-box exercise. In fact, Mandy recommends ditching performance-related pay altogether, as it can demotivate staff. Instead, create a culture where professional development is exciting and something staff take ownership of. “People reach for the stars when it’s low stakes,” says Mandy. By investing in meaningful coaching conversations, schools can foster ambition without the pressure of performance-related pay.
4. Leadership is key to retention
“People leave bosses, not organisations,” Mandy reminds us. Staff retention is closely linked to the quality of leadership in a school, so investing in leadership development is crucial. School leaders must not only be strong educationalists but also skilled in leading people. By nurturing leadership skills across your senior team, you’ll not only improve staff retention but also create a more positive and productive working culture.
In summary...
Mandy Coalter’s advice is clear: creating a great school starts with making it a great place for adults to work. By listening to staff, managing workload creatively, fostering a coaching culture, and developing strong leadership, school leaders can ensure their staff feel valued, supported, and motivated.
For more insights from Mandy and other experts, stay tuned for the next blog in our Ask the Experts series. In the meantime, don’t miss out on Mandy’s full video at the top of this post, where she shares even more practical tips for building a thriving school environment.
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