5 THINGS TO DO TO SAFEGUARD YOURSELF
Britain's schools 'at breaking point' with 'nothing left to give', head warns
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I came across this article last week. Richard Slade’s a brave man for speaking out and saying enough is enough. All too often, the people working in schools, those who know what’s happening on the ground, are ignored. I wonder if someone will finally take notice and realise the damage that’s being done. What a testament to our school system that… schools are at breaking point with nothing left to give…
It’s a message I often hear from my teacher friends, school leaders, and staff. “We can’t go on like this.” “It’s a nightmare.” “We’re working with a skeleton staff.” “I’m exhausted.” “I’ve decided to leave.”
We’re losing skilled and dedicated people. The system is expecting schools to do more with less – less money, less staff, and less support. The demands continue as though the pandemic never happened and did not impact school budgets and the well-being of school staff.
Schools are at breaking point with nothing left to give…
In my experience,… many staff are at breaking point with nothing left to give…not without sacrificing their well-being.
You can’t run a car on empty. I spent many years putting the job first and neglecting myself, my family and my friends. I continued to give out without stopping to recharge…I was working in ‘habitual burnout’. I’d gotten used to running on empty. I became accustomed to it, until, I broke down completely. It was the most frightening thing that ever happened to me.
I loved my job. I miss working in a school. I miss the thrill of working with children and sharing their breakthroughs, achievements and successes. I miss the assemblies and performances. I miss being part of a wonderful community and working with such talented and caring people. I miss the joy it brought me.
But… I don’t miss the system – the overwhelming responsibility, the workload, the deadlines, the ever-changing expectations, the confused messaging, the imbalanced focus on accountability as opposed to development and the constant threat of Ofsted.
All of these demands and pressures take their toll. What I’ve learned is that the system won’t safeguard us, we need to safeguard ourselves.
5 THINGS TO DO TO SAFEGUARD YOURSELF
1. SPEAK UP
If you’re feeling pressured and overwhelmed, find someone to talk to, someone you can trust. Seek support from friends, family, colleagues, a coach or another professional. And… spend time with people who support, energise and inspire you, rather than those who drain you.
2. PRIORITISE YOUR SELF-CARE
Self-care is not selfish, it’s necessary. Are you eating well? Are you up to date with your health check-ups – optician, dentist, doctor? Are you getting enough rest? Are you finding a way to switch off?
3. REGULARLY CHECK IN WITH YOURSELF
How am I doing? Am I showing signs of stress? Is my thinking or behaviour helping or hindering me? What do I need to stop? What do I need to do more of or less of? Check in with yourself and act before things get worse.
4. PLAN ACTIVITIES WHICH BRING YOU JOY
What do you do for yourself – jogging, reading, going to the cinema, walking in nature? Do whatever you like doing regularly, and don’t stop doing it because you get too busy.
5. BE KIND TO YOURSELF
“Self-compassion is one of the most powerful sources of coping and resilience available to us. When we go through major life crises, self-compassion appears to make all the difference in our ability to survive and even thrive." The Five Myths of Self-compassion (2015)
Think about how you would treat a friend.
Notice how you’re talking to yourself. Is it your inner critic talking or your inner coach?
Remember, you’re not alone. These experiences are normal and part of being human.
Rebalance your thinking. Focus on the positives. Take time to acknowledge your strengths and achievements and focus on your progress, not the endpoint.
Reset your boundaries. Practise saying no.
