New to headship? A checklist for a ‘soft landing’
For many of you, the beginning of a new term, especially the autumn term, will mark the start of your first headship and naturally, this prospect can be a little unsettling, albeit exciting.
Leadership mantras are everywhere, some are helpful, others less so – here’s a baker’s dozen of anecdotal leadership ‘golden rules’ and what many ‘happy headteachers’ have said over the years.
- Remind yourself, often, why you chose teaching as a career.
- Give yourself moments to remember your favourite teachers, why they were your favourite and the impact they had on you.
- Headship is a marathon, punctuated by regular sprints – train for both!
- Don’t be a lone wolf – lean on others and thank them for their support.
- The more organised you are, the more likely you are to get what needs to be done, done!
- Do what you can do and not what you can’t.
- Don’t manage time, it’s too limiting – manage your energy and resilience!
- Get good people around you and trust them to do their job.
- Stick to the knitting and follow procedures – they’re there for a reason – to protect you!
- Be principled, authentic and flexible.
- Show some humility occasionally.
- Look after yourself – walk the school, take a daily break and eat well.
- Treat yourself to a new bed and bedding!