Teach Primary Issue 19.6

The writer is a headteacher in England. VO I C E S S lides? Check. Smile? Check. Deep breath. “Good morning, everyone, great to see you again!” Just like that, we’re off for another year of school. Summer seems a distant memory: the relaxed state of mind, the carefree throwaway days and the lack of an alarm – times that seemed indelible and now are just fading impressions of the last six weeks. I look up and every type of familiar September face looks back at me: a few smiles, a few people running to find their chair, a few who look like they have been woken from their summer-long hibernation in the last half an hour, and those who are buzzing with enthusiasm. Delivering inset is a lot like being in the classroom; the feedback you want is the same, and the anxiety you have about whether your content is landing is just as real. It’s my job to lead the way, be the voice of enthusiasm, and to drive the new day, the new week and the new year. The return to work has been a slow burn over the last week or so – thoughts of returning to school, the priorities and how to best deliver on them. The plan has shifted into focus, shaping itself from the blurry outlines of wondering what on earth I am going to say to all these people as they look expectantly at me on that first day. It’s always a little bit daunt- ing, mainly because you know almost everyone is thinking the same thing… ‘ I have 100 other things I could and probably should be doing right now ’. To be perfectly honest, I am thinking that, too. I am conscious of using everyone’s time effectively, of making sure that people get something out of the morning and that they go into their lessons ready to roll. It’s a fine balance; there is so much we must go through, and that’s before we even get to setting out plans and the vision for the new year. And so I remind everyone that they do an amazing job, and that they make a huge difference. This bit can never be too overstated. I do worry that it becomes a bit like a broken record when I say it, but it never gets any less true. I always tell people that I have the easy job – the people in the classrooms are the ones who make the magic. Through the day, one thing really sticks out. It blows my mind every year, and I love it every year. There are several points – and often it only happens at this one time of the year – where everyone is together and everyone is relaxed. The whole school team in one place: office staff, support staff, site staff, teachers and governors. It is magic. I love looking out over it. I love seeing the smiling, the laughing, the catching up, the scurrying from person to person, the hugs, the complimenting each other on tans and the inevitable “ I can’t believe summer went so fast! ”. And the reason I love it? The reason I do my job, and why, despite people wanting to just shut themselves away in classrooms and get their heads down, I want this time all together? Because this is where I remember that this year, like every year, everything will be just fine. Not because of my slides, not because of any plans I might have, and not because of what I’ve said, but because in this team of amazing people, who care for each other and who work together day in and day out to make things as brilliant for the children as they can, there is everything this school needs to have a positive impact; to really achieve what we're all here for. It doesn’t matter what I say. It matters that these people are here, doing what they do so well. TP “The people in the classrooms are the ones that make the magic” If you’re dreading an inset day, read this first. As a headteacher, all the anxiety and planning is worth it for one thing... Our anonymous educator gets something off their chest www.teachwire.net | 19