Our children are being well looked after on their return to school but who is looking after the teachers and their support staff?
While our children return to school after the summer holidays, there has been lots of talk around how we secure their safety, wellbeing and positive mental health after what has been a really tough 18 months for them.
But who is securing the wellbeing and mental health of the people we are charging with that task?
Who is looking after the teachers and support staff at our schools?
It was great to facilitate and encourage some support for those very people on a visit to Loughborough High School, a private school for girls, the other day.
The pandemic seems to have gone on for so long, it is easy to forget how much fun face-to-face delivery can be and it was really good to interact with so many people, both teachers, assistants, support staff and the senior management team, led by head teacher Fiona Miles.
Hybrid Event
There were still some people isolating from home, however, but they joined in via Zoom for what I am proud to call my second ever hybrid event!
I started the session with some ideas and discussions around how education staff can support the wellbeing needs of their students and learn a little more about particular topics, but the main focus of my session was to offer support and wellbeing tips to the staff.
School staff across the country have had to deal with so many changes on a regular basis during the pandemic, as well as get on with their jobs as question marks have remained over their safety in the classroom.
Some of those fears are naturally still there as Covid continues to spread through society so it is really important that school staff help each other to look after themselves.
Engaged audience
The Loughborough High School team were a really engaged audience and while I delivered some ideas which could benefit them over the coming term and beyond, I also made sure that we discussed the topics in question so different ideas could be shared and put into practical use.
Thanks to everyone who took part and I hope the topics we discussed can provide you all with some help, ideas and support over the coming months.
As within lots of walks of life, it is important that we do what we can to support each other during these testing times.
So, when you are thinking about your own children’s wellbeing at school this term, just spare a thought for the teachers and support staff whose job it is to provide guidance, and calming leadership in the face of a storm. Anything you can do to have a positive effect on their wellbeing, will be very well received I can assure you.
Read more: Welcome to our new team member – Marjolein Cleaver
WATCH: Overcoming anxiety for the return to school…
