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On Twitter, we asked,
If you could give one piece of advice to someone who has just become a Headteacher, what would it be?
Here are some of the responses:
If you chose to lead with one thing, lead with empathy.
— Dan Edwards (@DanEdwards_77) June 4, 2021
Extend trust to receive trust.
Only be yourself. It’s too tiring trying to be someone else.
Embrace imperfections and always, beyond everything, consult, consult, consult. The answers will be out there.
Walk the corridors at various times of the day. What does the school look and feel like at 8:30am, 11:15am, 2:00pm and 5 minutes before the end of the day.
— Dan Edwards (@DanEdwards_77) June 4, 2021
Take your time (context allowing)
— Sam Strickland (@Strickomaster) June 4, 2021
Trust your gut
Listen.... lots
Be highly visible
Avoid the seductive
Get to know everyone
Don’t squirrel yourself away in your office. Your to do list will only have impact if you know your school. The best way to do that is not from behind your office door. Learn everyone’s name; remember to say no to stuff. Shout for help; you don’t need to be expert in everything.
— Emma Turner FCCT (@Emma_Turner75) June 5, 2021
A bit late to this and everyone has given fab tips 👍
— Lisa Fathers FCCT (@lisafathersAFL) June 5, 2021
All I’d add is :
⭐️Collaborate with other Heads and schools & of course your local teaching school hub!
⭐️Get a Coach, it’s not about needing one it’s about the value add you will get from thinking space & time.
❤️..exciting
Ask. Listen. Discover what structures / people are or aren't holding the place together. Make sure you explain if and why some things may need changing.
— David Phillips (@al_ackof) June 5, 2021
Be you- the best thing you can do is be authentic and that means owning mistakes as well as the stuff that goes well- get to know your staff first and make your own decisions- enjoy yourself- you’ll never be a new head again! It’s fantastic x
— TheTattooedHeadteacher🦩👂#antiracist #TVTTagTeam (@KyrstieStubbs) June 4, 2021
This depends largely if it’s in your current school or a new school. First term, set an atmosphere where by staff know you are approachable. Know they’ll be anxious about what this new headship means for them. Get to know your staff first (like when you adopt a new class).
— JulieCass1 (@julie_cass1) June 4, 2021
Go to where the information is...consult with every member of each team. The real changes will be in their knowledge and understanding; allowing you to view the school through a different lens.
— Dan Edwards (@DanEdwards_77) June 4, 2021
Blog from 2013 on first 100 days of headship; hope it helps https://t.co/er8rSIartr
— Stephen Tierney FCCT (@LeadingLearner) June 5, 2021
Never rush. Set the tempo of Chang carefully. Too fast, you’ll burn out and lose people. Too slow... and the world will move on.
— Dan Edwards (@DanEdwards_77) June 4, 2021
Be bold.
— Southgloshead (@Southgloshead) June 4, 2021
When writing your to-do list for the week, plan for 40% of your week only, leaving 60% capacity for the unexpected.
— Caitríona Hand (@caitriona_hand) June 4, 2021
It's in your response to the unexpected that you show how you lead. If you're at capacity before that starts, you won't do that effectively.#HeadTeacherChat pic.twitter.com/7UpFDm7zHJ
On 31st August you’re a DHT and then 1st Sept you’re a HT. You’re not expected to know everything, it takes time. Pace yourself.
— Evelyn Forde MBE (@Evelynforde1) June 4, 2021
Model the changes yourself that you want to see. Be yourself and listen to what stakeholders are saying. Try not to implement too many changes at once. Don’t ask people to do things you wouldn’t be prepared to do yourself. Have fun!
— Sue Gould 💙 (@beanybonce) June 4, 2021
Be visible to the community - you can negate a lot of emails and animosity simply by being there. At same time allocate protected time in calendar where you have time to sort your own head out and get things done - trust others to do their job - coach when they don’t
— LordByron (@6thBaronByron) June 6, 2021
💛Surround yourself with values aligned HTs by joining @HeadsUp4HTs
— Kate Smith #EthicalCurriculum #HeadsUp4HTs (@MrsKatieSmith) June 4, 2021
💛 Reflect intentionally; by yourself & with trusted colleagues
💛 Grow from your mistakes
💛 Practice versatile & robust decision making
💛 Be mindful of, & celebrate all the positives 🎉 (there will be many!)
Lots of great ideas already so I’ll take inspiration from Putting Staff First which I finished today.
— Mark Chatley 🙋🏻♂️ (@MrMChatley) June 4, 2021
🔸invest in your staff
🔸make it your job to make it easier to do theirs
🔸listen to your stakeholders and community
🔸it doesn’t have to be your idea to be the right idea
Keep a reflective journal to really be able to give yourself time and space to process and use it also to help you as you grow into your own style and approach
— Dan Morrow FCCT 🦩 (@MoreMorrow) June 4, 2021
Here is my podcast hope it helps https://t.co/eFBaPBqu37
— SIAN WILLIAMS (@principalsian) June 5, 2021
Understand what motivates each member of your team and support them in the right way for them
— #Motivation Specialist⭐Enabling you to shine⭐️ (@MotivatedEdu) June 4, 2021
Be authentic! Take time to form effective relationships. Earn trust. Communicate your expectations clearly from the start. Learn to listen well. Stay true to your values. Network. Accept that you won’t know everything and look after yourself ... self care is key to your success!
— Christalla Jamil FCCT (@ChristallaJ) June 4, 2021
Get to know your chair of governors well. The most crucial relationship in school imv.
— Wirral Governor (@WirralGov) June 4, 2021
Be true to your values. Know your strengths and accept that there are some things others can do better. Grow these people, nurture them and understand the jigsaw of a great team.
— Kazza cupcake - Behaviour Countess (@dhanecha68) June 4, 2021
Be true to your values. Know your strengths and accept that there are some things others can do better. Grow these people, nurture them and understand the jigsaw of a great team.
— Kazza cupcake - Behaviour Countess (@dhanecha68) June 4, 2021