Education Durham has responded to calls from head teachers through other forums to try and support the wellbeing of school leaders at this particularly demanding time. This is a matter of national concern, and one Education Durham takes very seriously.
So, after half term there will be a number of things starting:
- a series of facilitated small-group wellbeing sessions (approx. 6 head teachers and one facilitator per group), set up to allow heads to seek solutions in a peer-support context. Sessions will be a mix of after-school and daytime, to help understand which timings most suit the needs of head teachers without worsening their wellbeing, and while most will be face-to-face, there will also be virtual options. Sessions will be advertised with date, time, venue, and name of facilitator, and will be free of charge.
- an on-line support module has been created with a pilot group of Durham head teachers; it will be refined and released to all head teachers at no cost. The module will guide users through informative and supportive activities designed to help them find balance through options and alternatives.
- a series of face-to-face sessions (at no cost, but numbers limited to 25 in the initial cohort) that will provide leadership CPD for head teachers, delivered face-to-face. These sessions will take place on a series of Fridays (12.30pm to 3.00pm), starting on 4 March 2022.
Email dlc@durham.gov.uk for further information and to send us any ideas for different types of support that might be possible to ensure that school leaders – as well as looking after the wellbeing of all staff and pupils in their schools – also have their needs recognised and met.