Be More Butterfly

Director of School Operations Darryl Walsh worked in primary schools for 20 years with five years as a Headteacher. In this blog, Darryl shares some invaluable advice and ideas to support teacher wellbeing ahead of World Mental Health Day 2024.

This October World Mental Health Day is all about mental health in the workplace. As someone who spent 20 years working in primary schools, first as a teacher, then as a SENCo and assistant head and then as a deputy headteacher and headteacher I understand the stresses and strains of working in this environment and how it can impact on your well-being. 

We have all seen that well-being in the UK has become a more significant focus in recent years, reflecting concerns over the impact of the teaching profession on mental and physical health and leading to issues around recruitment and retention. Current understanding highlights several key factors (this list is not exhaustive and I am sure you will be able to think of many more factors which impact on your own wellbeing):

• Workload 
• Pressures of meeting educational standards
• Challenging pupil behaviours
• Ofsted
• Increase in pupil wellbeing issues
• Difficult parents 
• Turnover of staff
• Policies & initiatives
• Systemic pressures

With so many complexities and so many different elements, this is not an issue that is likely to be improved upon quickly - addressing these issues will require a holistic approach, involving government policy, school leadership, and cultural changes within the education system. Continued attention to teacher wellbeing is crucial not only for the health of educators but also for the quality of education that children receive. 

Working with children and families in a school setting is an absolute privilege and I, for one, feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to do it for such a long time. However, given the demanding nature of the profession, it's essential for teachers to prioritise self-care and seek support when needed. So, whilst we wait for others to address policies and cultural changes in the education system, what can we do to ensure that we stay mentally and physically well and not add to the teacher retention issues? Here are some strategies that may be helpful:

Set Boundaries:

• Work-Life Balance: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. This might include setting specific times for work-related tasks and sticking to them, avoiding checking emails or doing school work outside of those hours.
• Saying No: Learn to say no when additional tasks or responsibilities become overwhelming. Prioritise your tasks and delegate when possible.

Practice Self-Care:

• Physical Health: Obviously this is something we preach at stormbreak. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep are foundational to maintaining good mental health. Remember movement doesn’t mean you have to run a marathon or go to the gym, even short walks, relaxation exercises, or getting out and about in the garden can make a big difference.
• Mindfulness and Relaxation: Engage in mindfulness practices, such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises, to help manage stress and maintain focus.
• Hobbies and Interests: Make time for hobbies and activities you enjoy outside of teaching. Engaging in creative or relaxing activities can provide a much-needed mental break.
• Time Off: This was the best advice (and he has some great advice) that I ever got from my father-in-law. If you’re feeling burnt out, consider taking a break, whether it’s a day off or a longer period of leave. It’s important to recharge and return to work with renewed energy or “step out to step back in more effectively”.

Seek Support:

• Professional Help: Don’t hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional if you are feeling overwhelmed. Therapy or counselling can offer strategies for managing stress and improving mental health. Your school or trust may have systems in place so you are able to access help quickly and for free.
• Peer Support: Build a support network with colleagues. Sharing experiences and challenges with others who understand your situation can be very comforting, cathartic and can help reduce feelings of isolation - remember you are not alone.
• Mentoring and Coaching: Engage with a mentor or coach for guidance and support in your professional journey. They can offer advice on managing workload, career development, and emotional resilience. Again, your school or trust may have something like this in place, it’s always worth checking. 

Time Management:

• Prioritise Tasks: Use time management techniques like prioritising tasks, setting realistic goals, and breaking down large tasks into manageable chunks to reduce feelings of being overwhelmed.
• Efficient Marking and Planning: Find ways to streamline marking and lesson planning, such as using templates, marking selectively, or sharing resources with colleagues. This is a tricky one as it very much depends on your schools marking policy. Many schools are now using ‘live marking’ which is obviously done in lessons alongside the children and has the added benefit of giving children immediate feedback. Schools might also use ‘selective marking’ where teachers 'zoom-in' and specifically focus on smaller sections of work and particular skills. By marking less but in more detail, you can reduce workload whilst improving the quality of feedback.

Use School Resources:

• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Many schools offer EAPs that provide confidential counselling and support services. Make use of these programs if they are available.
• Well-being Initiatives: Participate in any well-being initiatives or programs offered by your school, such as workshops on stress management, well-being days, or social activities.

Advocate for Yourself:

• Communicate Needs: Don’t be afraid to communicate your needs to your school leadership. Whether it’s requesting support, adjusting your workload, or discussing professional development opportunities, advocating for yourself is important.
• Involvement in Policy: Engage in discussions or committees focused on staff well-being. Your input can help shape policies that benefit you and your colleagues.

Stay Connected Through Relationships:

• Social Connections: When we are struggling with our emotional wellbeing it is very easy to cut ourselves off from others but at this time it is more important than ever to maintain connections with friends and family outside of work. Social support is a key factor in maintaining mental well-being.
• Professional Networks: Join professional networks or online communities where you can share experiences, resources, and support with other educators.

At stormbreak we believe strongly that you should develop a set of skills and tools that you are able to draw upon when you find yourself struggling with your own wellbeing. This might be an impact of one of the aforementioned work related factors, something happening in your personal life or even despite everything seemingly going ‘well’. It may seem hard to believe that having a good job, a loving family, and fabulous children wouldn’t make us completely happy but sometimes it doesn’t. Many people struggle with ‘hidden’ wellbeing issues. Make sure you check in with those around you as you never know what they might be battling on their own. 

We describe self-care as the ‘ability to use behaviours intentionally, consistently and purposefully to take care of our own mental and physical health’. We often discuss with trusted adults  how we struggle to put ourselves first as this brings about feelings of guilt and selfishness. This often reminds us of the safety message that is announced before flying on an aeroplane, they tell us ‘in the case of a change in cabin pressure, be sure to place the resulting oxygen mask over your own face first before assisting anyone else, even your own children’. What a great analogy for self-care and worth reminding ourselves that finding that small amount of time to implement some of the strategies outlined above will mean we are in the right place to give the children in our care the best of us. I recently read that butterflies rest when it rains because it damages their wings. So remember to rest when there's a storm brewing, you will be able to fly again when the storm has passed. By implementing these strategies you can take proactive steps to safeguard your mental health and emotional well-being, ensuring you remain resilient and effective in your professional and personal life.