Sickness rates creeping up? Here’s how to stay calm and in control.

It’s that time of year again. The bit between half term and Christmas — when coughs, colds, and viruses seem to sweep through schools (it even got me!). And while most absences are completely genuine, it can still feel frustrating and exhausting — especially when you’re already running on fumes.

Morale boosters that actually work

Is morale dipping? And the usual things aren’t working? Morale isn’t built in away days, sugar highs, or quick “pick-me-ups.” Those can be nice in the moment — but they fade fast. Lasting morale comes from tiny moments of care, consistently given. Things that tell your team: “I see you, I value you, and I’m here with you.”

Why Outstanding Schools Have Lower Staff Absence

How healthy is your school — not in fruit bowls and yoga mats, but in the strength of your team? You see, every school has an organisational health check hiding in plain sight. There are two numbers that tell you more than you might think. Numbers you already have, but probably don’t look at in this way. In this week’s short video, I’ll show you: What those numbers are Why they’re powerful indicators of organisational health And how you can use them to get perspective on where your school really stands It’s simple, practical — and might just change how you see your school’s data.

Why everything suddenly feels harder right now (and what to do about it)

Feeling like things have gone a bit wobbly lately? Maybe your team isn’t clicking quite as well as they were before half-term? Staff are a bit more tired, a bit more tense. Behaviour feels trickier. Parents are knocking a little louder. It can feel like the wheels are starting to come loose — but there’s a reason this happens every year around now.

The parent who keeps coming back — and how to stop the cycle

Every headteacher knows that parent. The one who keeps coming back. Again. And again. You do your best to help, but it never feels resolved. You might even feel your stomach sink when you see them approaching. In this week’s short video, I share a simple framework that keeps you in control.

One quick calculation that calms parent overwhelm

Looking back over this half-term, you might feel like you’ve been dealing with one parent issue after another. It can feel like every parent has a problem. Or that too many parents are frustrated with what the school is doing.

How to make parent wins work for the whole team

Some parent conversations are hard work. Some are draining. And some… are wins. Here’s a simple leadership habit: Make space to share “What worked.”

A small shift can make your Home-School Agreement a game-changer.

Your Home-School Agreement is one of the most under-used tools for managing parental relationships. Most of the time, it goes like this: A child joins the school, parents are given a copy, they sign it… and it disappears into a folder. Rarely looked at. Rarely remembered. Which is a shame — because if it’s done well, it can head off many of the parental issues you’re facing.

The quick & quiet way to stop parent issues snowballing

Some issues become niggles that drag on. You know the ones I mean: A parent is unhappy about a decision — their daughter should have been picked for the team. A parent insists their son would never behave that way — maybe not at home, but he does at school. A carer says their child is being picked on and the perpetrator must be moved to another class. Now!

How to stay respectful when a parent conversation turns heated

Ever felt like you’re walking on eggshells with a parent? Maybe they storm in. Raise their voice. Question your judgement. Or drop a comment that sticks in your head for days. Other times, they’re less direct, but you still leave the conversation second-guessing every word.

Category: Staff performance and behaviour

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