Here we go with our first question, based on the scenario ‘The one where the head wants to rebalance the top table …’ Remember to add the hashtag #GetReal - ThreadSky

getrealleadership.bsky.social • 51 days ago

Here we go with our first question, based on the scenario
‘The one where the head wants to rebalance the top table …’
Remember to add the hashtag
#GetReal

Comments

claireharley.bsky.social•51 days ago

I think this scenario does call for a restructure, but don’t think it’s going to be as simple as moving a couple of APs over either. I think the best starting point would be to think in the abstract and think about what the school *needs* rather than what’s happening/who is there now #GetReal

getrealleadership.bsky.social•51 days ago

Great point! How might a leader shift focus to the needs and what advice do you have in terms of balancing school needs and existing capacity?

richardwh84.bsky.social•51 days ago

I think an external review could be useful in this situation. With the Head and pastoral DP being at the school a long time which could mean some blind spots.

claireharley.bsky.social•51 days ago

Yeh I agree that the situation calls for some form of inquiry/knowledge generation. Perhaps staff voice or some kind of critical friend visiting

misscrofts.bsky.social•51 days ago

1) Could Sinead structure SLT to two APs for pastoral two for academic progress and have one as in charge of special projects/operational

getrealleadership.bsky.social•51 days ago

Very interesting! Tell us more - what's your thinking there?

misscrofts.bsky.social•51 days ago

With an odd number of team members, one deputy managing three while the other manages two could create a sense of imbalance.

misscrofts.bsky.social•51 days ago

Additionally, some staff may need to take on responsibilities outside their remit, potentially causing resentment. Addressing these concerns through clear role distribution and open communication can help ensure fairness and maintain team morale.

scottinghatt.bsky.social•51 days ago

Nice! Thanks Joanne!

richardwh84.bsky.social•51 days ago

Looking forward to seeing other responses here as I am the only SLT member for academic at our school so it feels very real #getreal

dworker.bsky.social•51 days ago

I wonder whether we often are school leadership in too binary a way - pastoral vs academic. Instead perhaps we should focus on concurrent accountability.

getrealleadership.bsky.social•51 days ago

How do you think she could do this?
What areas are there where concurrent accountability could exist? #GetReal

dworker.bsky.social•51 days ago

Perhaps an AP focused on raising achievement, inclusion or interventions. What is essential though is that there is strategic alignment around what the team is trying to achieve. And how colleagues collaborate on shared areas of accountability.

claireharley.bsky.social•51 days ago

Yeh think this is such a good point. My job is very much across the divide with the focus on Year 11 being both academic and pastoral

dworker.bsky.social•51 days ago

Exactly. I think this is increasingly common. We can perhaps also consider other roles in this way. E.g. an attendance lead can be reframed to focus on outcomes, not just about getting students in the building but addressing academic gaps.

getrealleadership.bsky.social•51 days ago

A more multi-disciplinary approach sounds great! What support/training might leaders need upstream to be able to take these multi-disciplinary approaches to their domain? #GetReal

dworker.bsky.social•51 days ago

Much of this will be dependent on contexts and individuals. But I think two things will be true for all teams. Firstly, the team needs to agree their objectives and different people’s role within it. Secondly, time to collaborate, updating the team on their progress but also time to feedback.

getrealleadership.bsky.social•51 days ago

Clearly defined roles and remit feels like a very important part of the solution! #GetReal

getrealleadership.bsky.social•51 days ago

Great point Dan - pushed our thinking!

richardwh84.bsky.social•51 days ago

Agree with clare starting with the school "needs" is the best place to start.

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