FEATURE: CPD
Embracing change: how combining technical innovations with an open-door policy can transform school staffing challenges
However, as teaching numbers dwindle, existing staff must continue to maintain school standards and shoulder additional responsibilities. As a result, these professionals can experience a number of detrimental impacts - with increased risk of burnout and heightened performance pressures.
Navigating a relentless storm I
n our final feature this month looking at CPD we’re delighted to hear from Adam Speight, acting assistant headteacher at a school in Wales and content creator for Access Education GCSEPod, who explains how keeping staff up to date can have a hugely beneficial impact on retention.
In the face of an alarming mass exodus, schools up and down the country are grappling with low staff numbers and soaring teacher turnover rates. According to recent school workforce data, nearly 40,000 teachers left their position in the past year alone, exacerbating an already critical situation. With this in mind, it’s unsurprising that strikes have become more frequent across UK schools.
The current staffing crisis in the education sector is akin to navigating a relentless storm. As the waves of resignations and newly qualified replacements come crashing down, schools find themselves in increasingly precarious positions. Furthermore, these challenges don’t merely affect the quantity of educators, but also the quality of education.
In response to this crisis, forward-thinking schools are embracing innovative strategies to retain and support their staff - taking the necessary steps to safeguard teacher wellbeing and enable them to continue delivering good quality education.
Encouraging transparency and collaboration One such strategy is the adoption of an open- door policy for peer observation, encouraging transparency, collaboration, and professional growth among educators.
A simple yet powerful concept, teachers have the freedom to observe their colleagues’ classes at any time, without formal scheduling or
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www.education-today.co.uk structured protocols.
Fostering a sense of community and trust among teaching staff, this practice breaks down traditional classroom boundaries, allowing educators to learn from one another’s strengths, share insights, and collectively tackle school-wide challenges.
Implementation: fostering a culture of collaboration
Introducing an open-door policy requires a cultural shift within a school community, as regular practices and ideals are altered. Teachers, administrators and support staff must recognise the importance of change and the part it plays in pursuing improvement - committing themselves to the process, and showing a willingness to adapt. Simple steps to put this into practice include:
• Transparent communication
Working collaboratively with staff to identify and implement strategies to build a sense of ownership and unity amongst the team. As well as being utilised when delivering the policy plan, effective communication also allows staff to make the most of the open-door policy, encouraging exploration and questioning at all points of the process.
It’s important to remember, with any new strategies or schemes, schools rely heavily on the good will and personal development wishes of
October 2023
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