Started first headship in September. Just wondering how other Headteachers manage their weekends? How do you maintain some sort of balance?

‍

It can be difficult to start your first headship, and it's simple to let the obligations of the position take over your entire life. Finding a balance between work and personal time is one of the biggest obstacles new headteachers have to overcome. Particularly, managing their weekends is a challenge for many headteachers.

It can be difficult for a headteacher to unplug and relax on weekends. You might constantly be thinking about the upcoming week or have a never-ending list of things to do. But it's important to keep in mind that caring for your needs will be beneficial to both your physical and mental health.

The following advice will help you manage your weekends as a headteacher:

Set boundaries: Choose a time each day when you'll stop working and honour it. Set a time each weekend when you will stop worrying about work and begin to enjoy your free time.

Set self-care as a priority by scheduling time for enjoyable and relaxing activities. This could involve anything, such as reading a book, taking a walk, or spending time with close friends and family.

Plan ahead and try to accomplish as much as you can on the weekends if you know you will have a busy week. You'll feel more in control and less stressed as a result of doing this.

Make sure your family is aware that you need time to yourself and that you might need to work on weekends by communicating this to them. It is crucial to have their understanding and support.

Connect with other headteachers: Connecting with other headteachers can be a great way to get support and advice on how to manage your time. Joining our coaching group can be helpful.

‍

Keep in mind that it's crucial to strike a balance between work and personal time. You may need some time to figure out what suits you best, but with some forethought and self-care, you can manage your weekends as a headteacher.

‍