Sickness hits budgets hard — but it’s more fixable than you think

Sickness doesn’t just hit the timetable. It hits the budget — and often harder than we realise. Here’s a quick way to see the real picture. Think back to last term (or better still, last year): How many sick days were there? Now multiply that by £150.

A simple calculation that reveals a surprising drain on resources

Here’s a number worth knowing — and once you see it, you can’t unsee it: Everyday conflict in your school might be costing you the equivalent of one full-time teacher. Here’s the simple maths. If low-level issues take up just 30 minutes a week of your team’s time — things like: lateness poor marking mood hoovers resistant TAs caretakers not getting jobs done admin not following through — then across a whole staff, that half-hour becomes a huge drain.

A wellbeing boost that puts responsibility in the right place

School plays. Religious festivals. End-of-term deadlines. And Christmas chaos on top. Everyone’s busy. Everyone’s tired. Here’s a light-touch wellbeing boost that works — without burning you out

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.

Do you know how much staff sickness is costing you?

Budgets are tight. And when they are, one of the ways to help combat this is to look at the costs we’re spending and not getting the most out of. Pay is your biggest cost. And it gets eroded from many angles. Perhaps sickness is eroding yours.

What To Do When You Suspect Sickness Isn’t Real

It’s a time of year when sickness can increase. We all get ill. Some more than others, but illness is part of life. And most of the time, it is what it is. People are honest about it. They need time to rest. And you suspect nothing other than honesty. But what about when you don’t? When you have that niggle that they aren’t really ill?

Have you chosen what ‘hard’ you want in your leadership?

I know you love your school. But as a leader doesn’t it feel like there are more hard bits in your day than good bits? A parent is upset about a decision. There’s been an incident in class. You can’t get the absence figures to improve, despite best efforts. And then there’s staff. You love […]

Category: Staff sickness and absence

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