A Quick Guide to Well Being by @TeacherToolkit

How do you switch off before the end term?

When it is nearly the end of a school term, staff working in schools can typically grow tired; their emotions may become raw and spiky. In this case, my best advice is to think twice and go above and beyond ‘being sensible’ with colleagues. Working smarter with an aim to develop thought and mindfulness about yourself and your own workload; as well as the colleagues you work with can only help everyone around you …

If you focus on the most important issues (the fluffy stuff) and ignore peripheral garbage, there is a high chance that work productivity will remain. It is important to ensure relationships with yourself, your colleagues and your loved ones stay intact when your energy levels may be sapping.

This blog is to serve as a reminder to all about what to do when your well being is in jeopardy.

Image: Shutterstock

A Quick Guide to Well Being:

Here are my top-10 suggestions for looking after yourself at the end of term;

1. Remember that your to-do list will never, ever be complete. Just take a look at mine! Learn to live and work better with it …
2. Say ‘hello’ and ‘how are you?’ to every single member of staff. Read my Hidden Leaders blog.
3. Eat; take time out to eat. Working in schools, you need fuel. Try my 5 Minute Well Being plan?
4. Go home early. That means once a week when the bell rings. Even if you are a senior leader. Look what we have done at our school?
5. Join in with staff social events. The end of term party; exhibitions and sports. It’s important to unwind with staff.
6. Turn off the work emails from personal devices. The more you respond out of hours, the more it will become expected. At work, leave the emails alone and go-see the person instead.
7. Get off your chair and out of your classroom/office and go find the bright spots! Try Typicality and Support?
8. Use at least one evening per week to be with your family/friends. Do you need to stay at school every night until 6pm? Really?!
9. Visit the staff room or department office. Take time out to have a laugh with colleagues. Get to know them better. Crack a joke?
10. Go for a walk around school; or even go off-site for 15-20 minutes to clear your head! Try 10 deep breathes …

Further Reading:

1. In the first UK study of its kind, average levels of teacher well being within schools has been found to be linked to pupil performance as assessed by SATs and value-added measures. Read this academic research from Birbeck University; Staff well-being is key to school success.
2. Read A Better Workload for Teachers.
3. Read The Workload Challenge Report by the DfE,

TT.