A school thrives when its staff feel valued, supported, and connected. Thoughtful strategies—such as reducing unnecessary workload, fostering collaboration, and recognising contributions—help create a culture where teachers are motivated to stay and grow.
On this section of the website you will find evidence-based insights around the importance of belonging in all school staff.
The Happy Teacher Habits by Michael Linsin offers practical, research-backed strategies to help teachers stay happy, effective, and balanced in their roles.
Focusing on what truly matters—like reducing workload, fostering connections, and setting clear boundaries—Linsin shows how small changes can have a big impact.
His insights help schools create a healthier work culture where teachers feel supported and motivated.
A must-read for anyone looking to improve staff wellbeing.
A thriving school starts with engaged and valued teachers.
When educators feel supported, heard, and empowered, they are more motivated, productive, and committed to their work.
This resource, based on research from Hanover Research (2023), provides school leaders with evidence-based strategies to foster a collaborative culture where teachers feel a deep sense of belonging.
Packed with practical, actionable steps, this guide will help schools strengthen communication, build professional trust, and create an environment where teachers—and, in turn, students—can truly flourish.
Educators can explore Education Support, a UK-based charity focused on improving the mental health and wellbeing of teachers and education staff.
The website offers a range of useful resources, including practical guides, research, and support services designed specifically for schools.
Their free Staff Wellbeing Toolkit provides actionable steps to help schools build a culture that supports staff wellbeing.
It’s a valuable starting point for anyone looking to strengthen staff support within their school community.
The Education Support resources for individuals page is packed with practical tools, guides, and advice to help anyone working in education take care of their mental health and overall wellbeing.
Here are the key topics covered on the Education Support resources for individuals page:
Working life
Anxiety
Stress
Depression
Burnout
Finances
Grief or bereavement
Personal life
Self-care
I encourage you to explore and share these resources with staff.
Dr. Emma Kell, founder and director of Those That Can, is a seasoned educator with over 26 years of experience in teaching and school leadership.
Her platform is dedicated to empowering educators with the aim of enhancing personal and professional wellbeing.
Her blog features insightful articles on topics like work-life balance, self-limiting beliefs, and personal growth, providing readers with practical strategies and inspiration.
For a deeper understanding of her approach and the resources available, you can explore her website which is linked above.
This article examines the importance of authentic gratitude in both education and the workplace, highlighting its profound impact on motivation, engagement, and overall wellbeing.
Gratitude fosters a supportive environment where individuals feel valued and appreciated, leading to greater job satisfaction, improved relationships, and higher levels of productivity.
Extrinsic rewards can initiate engagement and play a role in developing intrinsic motivation over time. When used strategically, they help foster internal drive, but if relied on too heavily or introduced too late, they may have a negative long-term impact. School leaders should consider how extrinsic incentives can support, intrinsic motivation.
Source: Smith, J. A., & Doe, R. (2024). The impact of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation. Journal of Educational Psychology, 95(2), 123-134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2024.01.001
This article highlights the importance of addressing loneliness in the workplace, emphasising that fostering a strong sense of identity and belonging is key to reducing feelings of isolation.
By actively reaching out to staff who may feel lonely, employers can create a more inclusive and supportive environment.
The article suggests various strategies, such as regular check-ins, mentorship programmes, and social spaces, to help staff build relationships and feel more engaged, ultimately improving overall wellbeing and productivity.
Recognising signs of burnout in staff is crucial for maintaining a healthy, supportive work environment. Burnout affects wellbeing, job performance, and overall school culture. By identifying early signs—such as emotional exhaustion, disengagement, or increased absenteeism—leaders can provide timely support and prevent long-term impacts.
For insights into burnout in education, see The Burnout Conundrum by Dr Helen Kelly and her website.
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A buddy system for new staff can help them feel welcomed and supported from day one.
Each new teacher is paired with two buddies—one from their department for professional guidance and another with a shared interest, such as a hobby or pastime, to encourage social connections.
The department buddy helps with curriculum, school policies, and day-to-day teaching challenges, while the social buddy provides a friendly face outside of work-related matters.
This system supports new staff professionally and helps them build connections through shared interests.
Share staff-recommended travel tips and hidden gems to explore, regionally and when visiting a colleague’s home country.
I recently emailed a colleague in another country, where the time difference meant my message arrived outside their working hours.
I was impressed to receive an automatic response designed to protect staff from out-of-hours emails.
The message read something like this:
Dear Email Sender,
Thank you for reaching out to [school]. We strive to respond to emails within 24 hours.
Our team checks emails during school term time, between 7:45 am and 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
We appreciate your support in respecting staff working hours and wellbeing.
For urgent matters, please contact the Head of Year or Head of School.
Best regards,
I assume this was automated for all school staff.
What a great idea!
It’s nothing groundbreaking, but a weekly shared lunch is a simple and effective way to bring colleagues together, build relationships, and boost team morale.
Origin Story
In his book Belonging, Owen Eastwood talks about how an origin story can create a strong sense of connection. For staff, knowing the story of where a school has come from, its values, and its journey helps them feel part of something bigger. It’s not just about the past—it’s about understanding how they fit into the present and can shape the future.
When staff feel connected to a shared story, it builds pride in their workplace and a sense of belonging. This can make them more engaged, motivated, and eager to contribute. A strong origin story reminds everyone why they’re here and why it’s a place worth staying and growing together.
There is an excellent 30-minute podcast about this book, linked here. More information about how to research and implement this is linked here.
This is important for inductions, and also new schools.
