It’s not BandAid (40-years on).
But we might need a plaster by the time we’re done.
Who thought December was a good time for headteacher appraisals?
Christmas in schools.
One of the busiest times of year.
Kids being herded around Nativity rehearsals.
Teachers trying to get a class of 30 children to all have a fair turn at opening a 24-door advent calendar, when schools also break up on the 20th December!
Organising Christmas class parties, and who will be on sick-duty.
Office staff battling through parents who have lost letters, whilst trying to plough through the list of food allergies of children for above mentioned parties.
Staff secret Santa (there’s always one who cannot keep a secret).
Christmas card postbox, trying to decipher handwriting and spellings – not least which ‘Jack’ out of the 20 in school the card is for!
So, Dear Headteacher, tell us how you have met your targets that we set at Christmas last year?
Yes, I know the fire alarm has just been set off by the mince pies left in the oven… we can take that into consideration if the school evacuation takes less than 2-minutes.
Why are all the angels in bare feet crying in the snow?
“Jack.”
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
“I mean, Jack S.”
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
“Jack S, Year 1 – stop pulling the head off baby Jesus!”
Now where were we… yes, your targets Headteacher.
Can you give examples on how you have raised attainment of all children in the school?
Yes, we know that you did not teach any of them – but you are responsible for teaching.
Well the data looks good but we can see that disadvantaged children with SEND and in the 80-85% attendance group didn’t meet age-expected.
Of course, you are responsible for their education for the 20% of time they aren’t in school – are you saying your virtual curriculum is ineffective?
To all headteachers out there, I raise my glass to you all.
I’ve been there.
Do your thing, keep doing your magic. It’s the kids who matter – end of.
Only those of us who have held the reindeer reigns to steer a school through Christmas and beyond each academic year will ever really understand.
Grab the first aid box, put a plaster over the mouths of the critics and get yourself over to the kitchen… I think the mince pies are burning.
I offer leadership coaching for those who want to stay – and career coaching for those who want to disappear up the chimney.
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