It’s the last week of term.

The 31 May resignation deadline is almost here.

I hope these emails have helped steady any anxiety — and maybe even helped you see the opportunity that movement can bring.

Before we wrap up for half term, here’s something to think about for Summer Term 2 — when you’ll know who is staying and who is going.

Who in your school carries half your brain?

The person you quietly hope doesn’t hand their notice in (and I hope they don’t too).

• Your Y6 teacher?
• Your deputy?
• Your school business manager?
• Your EYFS lead?

If they left tomorrow, what would wobble?

It’s right to value them.

But it is risky to rely on them staying — because everyone leaves one day.

I worked with a school that faced this head-on.

They realised too much knowledge lived in people’s heads.

So they started small.

Each team member created short “How I do this” guides.
Nothing fancy.
One task per document.

• How we run this report
• How we prepare for SATs week
• How we handle behaviour escalations
• How we organise transition

They added quick screen recordings for systems.
Phone videos for routines.
Four or five bullet points per process.

Six months later, their deputy left.

It was still a loss.
But it wasn’t panic.

Because when she left, they weren’t starting from scratch.
The knowledge was already shared.
The systems were already visible.
The work didn’t collapse into one person’s inbox.

That’s the shift.

Excellent schools don’t eliminate staff movement.
They reduce the risk when it happens.

So here’s your question for Summer Term 2:

Who would we really struggle to replace — and why?

You know you won’t keep them forever.

So ask:
“How do we make sure the school still works brilliantly if they don’t?”

That’s not disloyal.
That’s sustainable leadership.

As you head into half term, I hope you get genuine rest.

You’ve led through pressure, uncertainty, exams, and recruitment conversations.

Take the break.
You’ve earned it.

Here’s to building strength that doesn’t depend on heroes,

Sonia ❤️

P.S. If this post brought someone straight to mind, that’s your starting point for June. One simple “How I do this” guide is enough to begin.