Getting Back on the Rollercoaster

As we enter the beginning of a new term, there may be staff members who are feeling the trepidation of returning. With new classes comes renewed responsibility and potential worry, but there are things that you can implement at the beginning of the new academic year to support your staff members when it comes to prioritising their mental health and wellbeing.

We spoke to The Education Broker Business Development Executive and former headteacher, Matt Morgan about getting ready to return to school following the summer break and how best to navigate the new term, so you’re ready to jump straight back in!

“During my time working in education, I have always loved this time of year. No matter what had happened in the last academic year, after taking a couple of weeks out in the summer to recharge, I enjoyed (and tried to share) those optimistic feelings of a new start.

As a headteacher, I often likened the academic year to a rollercoaster ride, particularly in the initial whole-school assembly; one of those few moments when everyone in the school community has the same feelings. Nerves, excitement, anticipation - and in recent years a rapidly growing number of children suffering from anxiety - meant that it was crucial to start off on the right footing if the year ahead was to be a success.

Preparing for the future

Preparation for the new academic year would have begun in the summer term, with key transition activities having taken place. Thinking of our rollercoaster analogy, I would liken these activities to all of the pre-ride checks and guidance that take place whilst you are in that seemingly never-ending queue! With research finding that uncertainty is a key trigger for stress, the more we can reduce the ‘not knowing’, we can hopefully lower the anxiety in children as they prepare for change.

In September it is key that after a long summer break, everyone is feeling ready to start afresh and therefore it’s essential that we try to reduce anxiety and worry at the get go. This is where the rollercoaster begins and the ride starts to slowly climb the tracks – with teachers and support staff building relationships with each other and students, alongside setting clear and consistent routines to provide structure and a sense of control, familiarity, and security to daily school life.

But what about their own anxieties, stresses and worries - what can leaders do to ensure their staff are being supported as much as they support their pupils?

Encourage engagement

Aside from all the things leaders are expected to do, it is vital that they are addressing staff wellbeing in meaningful ways. For example, encourage ground rules to maintain a realistic work-life balance, such as agreeing a maximum agreed working hours a day or week? Taking time to review this as a group will also encourage your staff to share time saving ideas and find ways to prioritise workloads.

Of course, there will always be occasions when some members of staff will need specialist support to help them with their health and wellbeing. On these occasions I always found it invaluable to be able to remind staff of the wide range of professional support they could access through the health and wellbeing hub that was included with the school’s staff absence insurance. In fact, I found this was the best time of year to remind all staff (including new joiners) of the benefits they could access through the wellbeing package and by encouraging them to download the app, it meant they had a regular reminder when using their mobile.

So, as with the children, although we do all we can to ensure a positive year ahead, we know that the rollercoaster has plenty of unexpected dips, twists and turns up ahead that we’ll all have to negotiate. However, by continuing to support each other and keeping wellbeing in the forefront of our minds when the unexpected happens, we can all enjoy the thrill of the ride together.