Could Do Better: A Journey to Improve Staff Wellbeing in Schools

How can we really look after ourselves and our staff teams in light of everything we face? What if people really valued staff well-being rather than staff well-doing?Could Do Better explores the myriad demands upon those working in schools, acknowledging the ’too much’ and ’not enoughs’ of the climate in which staff work, and considering the impact this has on wellbeing throughout the school.

The book introduces the RESET acronym, which provides a framework for meaningful change: Remember and Reimagine - Examine and Evidence - Safely Speak Up and Share - Equip and Empower - Task and Try One Thing. Each theme inspires hope, encourages self-reflection and equips the reader with practical strategies to support their school journey. Throughout, the author also draws upon her own experiences, as well as a variety of first-hand case studies, to tackle topics from shame and expectations to brave leadership and creating a culture of value.

With an interactive format and space for the reader to reflect throughout, the book is an essential tool to support staff to know their value and to put practices in place to improve their working lives. It will be key reading for teachers in both primary and secondary settings, as well as school leadership teams and those in pastoral roles.

Pippa McLean has been a teacher and SENCO for many years, working in a number of mainstream primary schools across the South-East of England during her career. She has written regularly for publications including nasen Connect and has a passion for wellbeing and inclusion. Pippa loves investing in children and families and encouraging others to do the same, something that is seen in her commitment to school communities and other local community projects.