Deputy Principal & Designated Safeguarding Lead at Gorsefield Primary School, part of Forward as One Church of England Multi-Academy Trust
Christmas can be an overwhelming time for many, we all have busy lives in and out of work. Although staff motivation and wellbeing apply all year round, this term can feel particularly long, especially when you’re arriving at work in the dark and leaving in the dark.
I love this time of year. I’m sure we all have fond memories of Christmas at primary school. It’s a magical time, so we want our pupils and staff to enjoy the season. That’s why we have purposely included Christmas in our Learning with Limits curriculum.
Each year at this time, every year group has is given a Christmas classic text to study in the run-up to Christmas. All lessons are linked to the classic text. The songs the pupils learn in music, the Christmas cards they make in art and the Christmas productions they practice, all link back to the text and their learning in Autumn 2.
This clear, progressive structure not only allows the teachers to have clear goals but, because it is woven into the curriculum and the curriculum has been so thoroughly planned, there is no additional work our teachers need to do.
Whilst we are focusing on the teacher’s workload, it is also important to consider that for some children, change can be hard; they like routine. As the Christmas classic text is the focus of all their lessons, this makes it no different in the approach to any other period of the school year.
Ensuring consistency in the classroom is also an important part of monitoring pupils’ behaviour. This time of year, pupils are excited but can also, at times, be very tired.
It’s important to maintain how we manage classroom behaviour. This doesn’t change – we are consistent and fair. All staff role model behaviour, whether it’s SLT, teachers or teaching assistants we all have a part to play, so pupils understand what is expected of them (and us).
The Trust is passionate about creating a positive environment and culture. One of the ways we do this is through positive framing. All our staff have completed Leading without Limits CPD around Positive language Framing, which has decreased low-level behaviours.
This positivity has had an impact on the children and staff. If you speak negatively all the time it permeates, but being mindful of the language we use keeps children and therefore staff buoyant.
Collaboration is key across our school and the Trust. There are lots of support networks for our teachers to share best practice and ask for advice if needed. This has certainly supported staff motivation, learning and development and generally created a positive culture across our school.
Collaborating and communicating effectively with parents also supports our teachers. As our parents are part of our school community, we want to alleviate any stress that they may be feeling, to support them and our teachers. We provide a full diary of events for each academic year, which parents and carers receive before the start of the academic year.
They don’t need to speak to the teacher about the different events, as they have all the information they need. Regular reminders are sent and ensure we get maximum take-up. Additionally, so many of our events welcome parents and carers into school- this just reinforces us as being ‘One Family’ here at Forward As One.
It’s important our teachers have a good work/life balance. As our Principal says, “We can’t pour from an empty cup”. We encourage all staff to recharge and enjoy the festivities. SLT role models this.
No one will receive an email from SLT during the holidays, as we want our staff to switch off and enjoy the festivities. This adds safety and familiarity as communication within school is regulated and predictable, allowing all staff to switch off and spend quality time with their loved ones.
Learn more about Forward as One Church of England Multi-Academy Trust
