Staff Workload & Well-being
Things We Do
Teaching and learning, planning and curriculum
- We trust teachers to decide the best approaches for their pupils.
- No pressure to 'put on a show' in lessons: a culture of typicality is reinforced by no lesson gradings (outstanding, good, R/A/G, etc.)
- Teaching and learning policy is co-designed with subject specialists because they know what works best for different subjects.
- Differentiation does not mean doing lots of different things. It just means everyone working towards the same learning goal with some additional support where required. We do not do All/Most/Some or bolt anything on!
- A simple, shared language of teaching and learning means we can more effectively develop ourselves and each other.
- No need to write lesson plans of any kind.
- Although schemes of work and resources are provided, teachers adapt them however they like.
- Meeting time is devoted to talking curriculum, including sequencing.
- 22/25 periods of teaching per week maximum.
- A central media team can make lesson resources, videos, etc.
- No one covers more than one lesson a half term.
- A culture where pupils have positive attitudes to learning.
Behaviour
- Everyone has the highest expectations of behaviour, with all staff (not just teaching staff) reinforcing those expectations.
- A clear system of sanctions which is applied consistently so staff don't have battles with pupils.
- Senior Leadership are very visible and all staff 'own' their corridors.
- Senior Leadership run lunch duty so behaviour doesn't bubble up.
- A rota system ensures pupils always see a familiar face with Barr Beacon expectations - no external cover is required so behaviour won't bubble up in the lesson before yours.
Assessment and reporting to parents
- 'Give feedback however you think best' policy, with the aim of spending no more than an hour on any class set of books/essays.
- Marking is for one audience and one audience only: pupils. Never tick and flick or do anything else for observers/parents/carers.
- We never ask for any data to be entered twice.
- No detailed written reports to parents/carers.
- Minimal data entries – never enter anything that is not going to be used.
- No teachers make phone calls to parents/carers – or take them from parents/carers. A superb House system and admin team ensure teachers can get on with teaching.
- Teachers don't have their time taken away by direct emails from parents.
Professional Development
- CPD is tailored specifically to staff needs, based on their feedback.
- We have a strong knowledge of what makes for successful implementation and make time for staff to put new things into action.
- We will fully fund anyone who wants to acquire full Chartered Teacher status.
- We will support you in completing NPQs (we are the lead on these for the local Hub).
- CPD is delivered as twilights that never finish after 4.15pm, with days off in lieu.
- Non-hierarchical approach to professional development - there are things a senior leader can learn from an NQT and vice versa.
- In-house experts on all aspects of educational practice, including many Specialist Leaders of Education.
- Targeted support plans for teachers who are struggling.
- Few meetings, with those that do take place doing so when they are needed - not just because they are on the calendar.
- Subject briefings are kept succinct.
- We develop leadership positions at all levels, with middle leaders shadowing senior leaders, postholders shadowing their middle leaders and so on.
- Comprehensive support for ECTs, with dedicated mentors, time for instructional coaching, regular meetings and study visits abroad.
- Bespoke development package for second and third year teachers.
- Performance Management is tailored to individual development needs in a culture of ‘everyone getting better’. We begin from the assumption that everybody will get the pay rise unless they haven't done all they can to improve pupil outcomes.
- The possibility of a ‘double jump’ in salary from the third year into the fourth year of your career.
We work hard, play hard
- Work hard, play hard
- There are no prizes for looking busy or staying late - work in a way that suits you and make sure you make time for yourself and your family.
- No expectation of answering email outside school hours.
- We are constantly streamlining all systems and processes so they take less time.
- No tick box culture – never do anything if it's not going to make a difference.
- We regularly survey staff to get their honest opinions about how to improve.
- A culture of peer-to-peer praise (thank you cards, letters).
- Open-door Senior Leadership – no concern is ever too small.
- Regular staff social events out-of-school.
- In-school health events, including free flu jabs, health checks.
- Seasonal events for everyone to show their less serious sides (for example, World Book Day, Christmas jumpers, staff pantomime, themed non-uniform days, etc).
- Countless opportunities to get involved with the wider life of the school – Duke of Edinburgh, Cadets, Turing Scheme, study visits abroad.
- If something new is introduced, something old must be taken away.
