Dr Rachel Hayton

Dumfries and Galloway Council

Doing more with less?

Strengthening the skills, competencies and abilities of people and communities (in developing societies) so they can overcome the causes of their exclusion and suffering. NGOs Wikipedia

Capacity development is the process by which individuals and organisations develop the ability to set and achieve their own objectives. (Guardian 16.12.11)

Offering local people the skills, resources and support they need to participate as fully as possible in developments (and activities that affect Craigmillar) capacity building project Craigmillar

Loss of senior education managers through retirement

Cost cutting/saving Centralisation of support Feeling of not being listened to/heard. Increasing demands Inspection

Being Well, Doing Well project

Head Teacher request for supervision

The major implication of these findings is that if we want to improve school performance, we also need to start paying attention to teacher wellbeing. How teachers feel on an everyday basis is likely to affect their performance and so, in turn, the performance of the pupils they teach.”Professor Rob Briner & Dr Chris Dewberry

Well-being refers to positive and sustainable characteristics which enable individuals and organisations to thrive and flourish.Well Being Institute, University of Cambridge

The concept of well-being comprises two main elements: feeling good and functioning well. Feelings of happiness, contentment, enjoyment, curiosity and engagement are characteristic of someone who has a positive experience of their life. Equally important for well-being is our functioning in the world. Experiencing positive relationships, having some control over one’s life and having a sense of purpose are all important attributes of wellbeing. National Economic Forum

McBeath, Gronn, (2009) Recruitment and retention of Headteachers in Scotland

Swaffield (2008) HT views of how they

are supported and challenged

Briner & Dewberry (2007) Staff Well-being is Key to school success (revised 2010)

Managing workloadTo take initiative in reviewing workloads, differentiating the important and urgent from the urgent but unimportant.To review current ways of working together as a management team with a view to promoting effective senior management team work.

Support, professional development and networkingTo seek out critical friends and make time for reflection, support and challenge and actively promote resilient collegial support networksTo strengthen collegiate ways of working within the school that distribute responsibilities and build mutual confidence in leadership capacities

Top 5 characteristics of a person providing HT support Shares good practice from elsewhere. Helps extend my thinking. Acts as a sounding board.Gives feedback on how I am doing I can speak to (this person) in confidence

Handling personal relationships Delegating responsibility Managing student behaviour Influencing pedagogy Working collaboratively with other

agencies Improving student attendance

Pilot cohort

Why ‘reflective dialogue’?

evaluation

The questions; 1. Through Dialogue I have been able

to… 2. In future I would like… 3. How, if at all, has Dialogue impacted

on teaching & learning in your school? 4. Please comment on practical issue;

timing frequency, location, continuity, follow-up.

5. Dialogue should be available to Head Teachers who want it because….

Task

In small groups of two or three have a look at the feedback on the handouts.

What themes can you identify?

Feedback to the group

Question 1 Time

Personal /ownreflect/discuss

positives

Question 2Discuss/benefitPositive and supportiveOne to one discussionMy agendaPositives/successesGoal setting

Question 3 Realise my strengths Positive My role Goal setting and reflection

Question 4 Flexible Suitable for both parties Worthwhile helpful

Question 5 Too few opportunities (for this sort of

discussion Not an HT/ objective viewpoint Positive/ supportive forum Encouraged (I) felt valued

In small groups:

How do you think this approach might be widened?

How might small psychology services implement this approach?

My colleague and I offered it across our schools to all head teachers.

Over the course of last year we have had 7 new takers for Reflective Dialogue.

It has been included as a source of HT CPD within D&G

Other colleagues say they are doing this too.

We have had more requests this year.

Questions?

Key ReferencesKey References

McBeath, Gronn, (2009) Recruitment and retention of Headteachers in Scotland

Swaffield (2008) HT views of how they are supported and challenged

Briner & Dewberry (2007) Staff Well-being is Key to school success (revised 2010)