The problem with well being and great teaching

This is a quick, rapid fire post before I head off to eat pizza and pack for Iceland. These are thoughts, not fully formed and don't necessarily reflect my own point of view. These came to me during a 7 mile bimble (a jog whilst enjoying the view) along the South Downs yesterday. It was getting dark so anything to detract from the wild foul. I've been on the courses and read the books.

Thing is, I'm not sure how those who advocate well being link this to their desire to drive teaching to be great. How do these two things fit together when teaching across a school, or in pockets, is less than great? What do you do when everyday is heartbreaking knowing that some children just aren't getting the education that they have the right to? It's like drifting across an iceberg filled lagoon in the dark - all looking fit until you hit one of the bloody things.

A big part of my job has been to challenge and support teachers. It has been a big part to deal with teachers who haven't responded to the niceness or support.

It's a classic interview question:

'What would you do with an under-performing colleague?'

and the response:

'Have an open door policy and support them' or some such nonsense.

When does a care for well being come at the expense of great teaching?

I don't ask for myself as I know where I stand here - but can well-being and great teaching coexist across a whole school?

Try to avoid the bullshit bingo - what specific actions are we talking about here?

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David Rogers

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