Join teachers and educationalists for #ukedchat each Thursday between 8-9 pm GMT for Edu chat. Education news, resources, and @UKEdSch website with @UKEdMag
#UKEdChat Q1
Q1. How do you separate ‘school time’ in your own thoughts? Does it extend beyond when you are physically in the building?
Pls use the hashtag & A1...
@ukedchat
#UKEdChat Q1
Q1. How do you separate ‘school time’ in your own thoughts? Does it extend beyond when you are physically in the building?
Pls use the hashtag & A1...
@ukedchat
A1. I have to do some sort of activity to break out of school thoughts - cooking or gym usually. I also do one night a week screen free which helps to not think about school #ukedchat
A1. I have to do some sort of activity to break out of school thoughts - cooking or gym usually. I also do one night a week screen free which helps to not think about school #ukedchat
A2 I think it’s important for schools to value activities that staff do outside as they help to create happy and healthy teachers which then results in a more positive atmosphere in school. People who are happy do better #ukedchat
I tried the mental trick of pretending to leave school thoughts at the door when going into the house- pick up as you leave for work. Variable success... #UKEdChat
A2. Some teacher friends of mine play international rugby and their schools have been supportive of giving them time for this commitment. It’s a great inspiration for the students #ukedchat
#UKEdChat Q3
Q3. Do you feel you place yourself under pressure, or is the pressure applied by other members of staff?
Pls use the hashtag & A3...
@ukedchat
#UKEdChat Q3
Q3. Do you feel you place yourself under pressure, or is the pressure applied by other members of staff?
Pls use the hashtag & A3...
@ukedchat
A2: It’s important to firstly support staff with their commitments in school, creating a happy workforce, where support outside of school should naturally follow. Also encouraging staff outside of school to try new things as part of their well being & life experiences #ukedchat
A3 I think this varies from school to school and also depends on the role you have. As a member of SLT I have a lot of control over what I do and I have a head teacher who is trying to reduce workload and emphasises well-being of staff and children #ukedchat
#UkEdChat A3 A bit of both at times - I'll set myself a task and feel disappointed with myself if it doesn't get done, but then externally quick turn around times are often outwith my control, therefore that is an external pressure (def think I can be my own worst enemy tho)
We've launched a new fund aimed at supporting teachers to deliver effective arts-based teaching in the primary classroom. Hopefully the Teacher Development Fund will be of interest. Applications are open until 23 March.
https://t.co/UoaDjjxwOs#UKEdChat#CCTBookClub#UKEdResChat
A3. One feeds into the other- the more pressure you put on yourself and the more you do, the more other people see you as someone who can withstand the pressure and are capable of doing more #ukedchat
Only 300 secondary trainee teachers today. Knocking them into shape; challenging, provoking and modelling assessment, marking and feedback for the classroom. All guided by the determined and pragmatic @nicolacmcewan at @UniOfBuckingham#ITTchat#UoBITT#NQTchat#ukedchat
#UKEdChat Q4
Do you think that being a teacher has had a detrimental impact on your health? If so, how can this be improved?
Pls use the hashtag & A4...
@UKEdChat
#UKEdChat Q4
Do you think that being a teacher has had a detrimental impact on your health? If so, how can this be improved?
Pls use the hashtag & A4...
@UKEdChat
#UKEdChat A1: that’s the problem...teaching is never ending list of things we could be doing. It extends beyond the school hours. You can always be doing more! It even eats into your dreams!
I’ve been in every day during this half-term, doing normal working hours pretty much. The plan is to “get on top of everything” so I can switch off better during term-time evenings. We’ll see. #UKEdChat
#UKEdChat A4 - there is potential for this and have been crunch points in the past with exhaustion and generally being run down. I'm def not as physically fit as I have been in the past as I don't make time to exercise as much, however that is down to me, more than the job
A1 I drive past a certain set of traffic lights half way home and physically make myself breathe and relax my shoulders and then I’m in the right frame of mind for my evening with my family #UKEdChat
#A3#UKEdchat couldn't agree more. Do a job well and managers will return with other work, especially when limited time to get it done; don't do it well, and their pressure means they will find someone else next time...
#UKEdChat A3: I think most of us put pressure on ourselves. As reflective practitioners we always want to be better. Social media helps but also doesn’t help as you see things others do and you think I could do that...and that...and that...
A4 not personally, you just need to be able to take a step back and look at the big picture rather than fixating, I do see lots of others getting very stressed however #ukedchat
A4 It's an intense job and can impact on health at times (end of a long term). To improve matters it's important to look after yourself by eating well, getting enough sleep and finding time to do things you enjoy. I love running and reading... not at the same time! #ukedchat
Some schools get it right. Some schools get it wrong. Most mainstream schools are struggling to get it right because of external pressures. #wellbeing#ukedchat
#UKEdChat Q4
Do you think that being a teacher has had a detrimental impact on your health? If so, how can this be improved?
Pls use the hashtag & A4...
@UKEdChat
That’s mostly what keeps me motivated. Much easier to do little bits more often than have to do all of that work all at once, or fall behind in things! #UKEdChat
A4 Being healthy and active has always been part of my lifestyle and if anything this has helped me to maintain my health by sticking to it and making time for leisure activities #UKEdChat
A4 Yes, I have been teaching for 22 years and never had to focus on my #mentalhealth before, yet I do now. #wellbeing for teachers has a high profile on social media for good reason #UKEdChat
#UkEdChat A1 - I've been doing a rigid wellbeing plan to sort out when I do/don't work and to be focused on home when I am not in work mode. It seems to have had a positive impact & I do still get everything (hmmm most things) done 🤔
A4: It hasn’t impacted me yet, but I can see how it could. I think the responsibility has to be put on school/government to ensure wellbeing is being looked after. #UKEdChat
Agree, but think Twitter has a double edged sword effect as well. Before I was on here I didn't get Edu related notifications on my phone (which pull you back into thinking about work related stuff), however the wealth of knowledge and sharing has been invaluable... so! #UkEdChat
A4 I love my role & the impact we all have as educators, helping both students & staff achieve their dreams & having self belief. In terms of health it’s a tough job, I’m a tough cookie & make sure I look after my health, we must look after each other #UKEdChat
A4 I think you do have to make a conscious effort to remain physically and mentally healthy - this conscious effort is possibly more pronounced and more of an active process in teaching than some other professions possibly? #ukedchat
A5 As SLT we try to gain views from all staff about workload. All teaching staff agreed the marking and feedback policy which reduced workload. As year group leader I've merged PPA so teachers in my yr group can have a day towards report writing #ukedchat
A5. Lead by example on certain things. Don’t press “send” on evening emails to staff; go home earlier every once in a while; sit in the staff room and talk about something non-school related. #UKEdChat
#UkEdChat A5 - Remain informed about the pressures inherent in different subject areas, spread the load via careful planning forward in the whole school calendar, regular informal chats to ensure all is good 'on the ground', proactive if issues arise, make decisions thoughtfully
#ukedchat A4 Definitely has had a detrimental impact on my health - from waiting 3 hrs to pee to going four periods without a drink of water. Being so time-poor for me often leads to neglecting my physical self. I’m working on it!
A5 I put together a medium term plan for each half term and share with my year group. I organise visits and experiences so less for them to do. At school I try to talk to every member of my team to see how they are doing and we talk about things beyond school. #ukedchat
A5: No emails after 5pm & none at the weekend, directed time for data entry, PM development & planning lessons. Marking guidance where we all use our professional judgement eg live marking, smart timetabling, sharing good practice, talk & ask staff. #UKEdChat
#UkEdChat love the oxymoronic quality of this tweet Martin. Agree - at times it is important to switch off completely and remove the app from phone to have an actual removal from work related info and stuff
A4 Totally agree, we have a duty to loved ones & learners to stay healthy. This involves difficult conversations managers give us additional work, we have to say 'OK, what will you be removing from my workload?' and support each other as a team #ukedchat
#A5#ukedchat and I learned from managers (in education and non-education), when a personal issue/emergency came up in in work within the team. The conversation wasn't about covering a class, or getting the job done, but how quickly can you get home to sort it out.
#UkEdChat A5: I’m SLT but teach and as an asst head for last few tea have taught all time too. Except one year whilst I was out of class. That’s when you lose touch with what’s realistic! SLT inc heads need to keep reaching!
A5. Know what the pinch points are for different faculties in the school and don’t give those teams extra to do at these times. A well planned school calendar can go a long way #ukedchat
I’m very lucky we do all of these things as part of staff well-being and continue to think outside the box in terms of staff wellbeing. Last summer twilight, all staff played rounders & ate ice cream 🍦 staff really appreciated it. #UKEdChat
I use a strategic grid - one for each term. My team and I plan the what’s, where’s and who’s and make sure it is shared as early as possible. Adapted the idea from @campbellclaret “grid” which I read about in his diaries. #UKEdChat
In reply to
@vicks_marshall, @ukedchat, @campbellclaret
#UkEdChat A6 Isn't that what Night Nurse is for? 😉 I think sleep deprivation can occur in any job and some people are better at sleeping than others - my mind has never been good at switching off, so my sleep has never been brilliant, but again that is just me, not the job
#UKEdChat Q7
What realistic measures can schools and policymakers take to improve the wellbeing and work/life balance of teachers?
Pls use the hashtag & A7...
@UKEdChat
#UKEdChat Q7
What realistic measures can schools and policymakers take to improve the wellbeing and work/life balance of teachers?
Pls use the hashtag & A7...
@UKEdChat
A6 I think you have to take steps to wind down and switch off so that sleep is easier to come by. I keep a list by the bed do I can write down things that pop into my head and that I would otherwise mull over #ukedchat
A6 How much sleep individuals need varies greatly but the importance of sleep and being rested can't be underestimated. Lack of sleep can mean being irritable, forgetting things and it can impact on physical and mental health. #ukedchat
#UKEdChat Q7
What realistic measures can schools and policymakers take to improve the wellbeing and work/life balance of teachers?
Pls use the hashtag & A7...
@UKEdChat
#A7#UKEdChat We have introduced some lifeskills, mental and physical health training in optional CPD. Also gym open to staff (if they buddy up, outside of class times).
A8. Signing up to something outside of school that you want to commit to and don’t cancel because of work. It can sometimes feel a drag to do something else at the end of the day but it always feels better after #ukedchat
#UkEdChat A7 Have a feedback policy instead of a marking policy. Realistic expectations about data. Stick to one afterschool commitment a week to avoid overload and exhaustion. Talk to staff.
A7 Make sure that wellbeing is taken seriously and a policy is in place and followed. Ensure any changes are well thought out and talked about before implementation. Don't forget the reducing teacher workload document - lots of great ideas. #ukedchat
A8 Only focus on things that will improve progress, don't underestimate the value of a nice cup of tea & a few pints at the weekend really helps #ukedchat
#ukedchat A6: only sometimes! It depends what else is going on. Juggling a family and teaching can be hard but it works in holidays! You have to be ready when you go into the classroom, prep can’t wait!
#A8#UKEdchat I insist on not taking lunch at my desk. I try very hard to work, when I am in work, and not work when not there. Even stopping more to chat to students in the corridor about their day, football, what their listening to ...
#UKEdChat Be kind to yourself. Often the biggest pressure is internal. Step back - reassess - cut the extras - learn to say no (not good at that one) - recognise your own pressure points and take steps to alleviate them - talk to someone - offer support if you see others struggle
A8: Create a positive culture where we know our staff, trust your staff, allow them to have a voice, recognise successes, support them while providing them with the necessary tools to develop themselves. #ukedchat
#A8#UKEdChat David, that reminds me of something I learned about my "sphere of influence". Fix the things I can, don't stress out (too much!) about the rest (over-generalised, but point still valid.)
