Maintaining balance in schools: Rebecca Leek, Executive Headteacher

EPISODE NOTES In this episode, Claire talks with Rebecca Leek, an executive headteacher and director of strategy for ASSET Education Trust. Rebecca discusses how, as a result of the coronavirus restrictions along with local and national lockdowns, her school has adapted including the move to more remote teaching and learning practices. Rebecca also talks about the importance of maintaining balance within schools and amongst staff – particularly in light of how much more quickly things are changing within the world of education. Claire and Rebecca share some really useful tips and ideas as to how senior leaders, teachers and everyone involved in schools and education can work towards making the most of the situation we are currently in.   KEY TAKEAWAYS The importance of a supportive cultureAlthough we have been living with the pandemic and its disruptive effects for almost a year now, the situation and ways of working are still changing and adapting. Teachers and school staff – particularly those for whom understanding technology does not come naturally or where teaching online is out of their comfort zone – could well always need additional time to adapt. It is important to make sure all staff, but especially those who might feel less confident with the new ways of working, are supported and can feedback freely on their successes and challenges. Look to innovateThe lockdowns and restrictions have brought about (and continue to bring up) entirely new scenarios and changes to our ways of working for many. However, while being mindful of the impact on individuals and wellbeing, this is an ideal time to experiment and try new things out. Empowering teachers and school staff to innovate and give things a go could yield great benefits including better ways of working or inventive ways of using technology. Tips for remote workingWith the move to being online much more, it is important to remember to take time away from the screen and be disciplined with this. Set alarms or reminders as it can be very easy – particularly if working from home – to realise that you have been staring at a computer screen for much longer than you might have thought. Also, don’t seek to reinvent the wheel where it is not needed. Share and use resources from others rather if there is something out there that does what you’re after. Finally, online teaching in whatever form cannot replace being in a classroom with pupils and being able to spot and respond more readily where children might be struggling. With that in mind, ensure modelling is as clear as it can be and, where you can, over-scaffold to help with this. BEST MOMENTS “If you can have that kind of empowering, unleashing way of doing things… honestly, it's endless what you can achieve.” “I think we've got to be cautious not to underestimate the effect that [the lockdown] has had on some people. It is really tough. But, if you can look for the opportunities, it will make it easier; and reach out if you are struggling.” “We always say, don't we, in leadership, if you don't look after yourself, you can't look after everyone else. That is it: look after yourself and then you can look after everyone else.” “We are more than the sum of our parts. I do really know that that's true. If we can get through this healthily and supportively, while innovating at the same time, our schools are going to be better at the end of it.” “We must keep reminding ourselves that we're doing many new things for the first time all the time; and some of us do thrive on that. But not everyone [does].” “We are innovating at breakneck speed and, if we don't stop and reflect about how much we're doing, and actually congratulate ourselves and celebrate what we are achieving, then things will get very tough and go wrong.” “If you can make a really simple set of rules - we just must do this and then it doesn't really matter after that - that helps with everyone's anxiety.” “We're enriching childhood. We're not just preparing them for adulthood. We are at a place where children spend a lot of their childhood, so it must be fantastic.” “It’s so complex. Teaching is so complex. You're never going to just hit one button and know it's done.”   VALUABLE RESOURCES Twitter: https://twitter.com/RebeccaLeek_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-leek-702a825b/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peachandpippin/ Classroom Secrets Kids: https://kids.classroomsecrets.co.uk The Teachers’ Podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheTeachersPodcast/ Classroom Secrets Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClassroomSecretsLimited/ Classroom Secrets website: https://classroomsecrets.co.uk/ LIFE/work balance campaign: https://classroomsecrets.co.uk/lifeworkbalance-and-wellbeing-in-education-campaign-2019/   ABOUT THE HOST 'My mother is a teacher. I will never be a teacher.' - Claire Riley Claire arrived at the end of her performing arts degree with no firm plans to move into the entertainment industry. A fully funded secondary teaching course seemed like the perfect way to stall for a year on deciding what to do with her life. Turns out, teaching was her thing.  Three years in a challenging secondary school - check. Two years in primary schools with over 90% EAL children - check. Eight years doing day-to-day supply across 4-18 - check. If there's one thing she learnt, it was how to identity the best ideas from every school in terms of resources and use that knowledge to create something that would work for teachers far and wide. In 2013, Classroom Secrets was born. Claire had seen other resource sites and wanted to add something to the market that she felt was missing. More choice + More quality = Balance. Claire is a self-proclaimed personal development junkie and is always looking for ways to learn and improve. It's usually centred around business, her new-found passion. In 2019, Claire launched The Teachers' Podcast that hits the charts on launch and is listed in the top 200 educational podcasts most weeks. The Teachers’ Podcast is a series of interviews where Claire meets with a wide range of guests involved in the field of education. These podcasts provide exciting discussions and different perspectives and thoughts on a variety of themes which are both engaging and informative for anyone involved in education.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.