"Wellbeing is not about fluffy, bolt-on things. At the heart of teacher wellbeing is a sense of professional integrity and trust."
— Emma Kell & Adrian Bethune
The wellbeing of educators is central to the success of schools. When teachers and school leaders feel supported, valued, and empowered, they can create thriving learning environments for pupils. However, workload, external pressures, and emotional demands make maintaining wellbeing a challenge.
This blog provides key resources and practical strategies to support the wellbeing of school leaders and staff.
Key Resources for Teacher and School Leader Wellbeing
Books to Support Wellbeing
- Teacher Wellbeing & Self-Care – Adrian Bethune
- The Wellbeing Toolkit – Andrew Cowley
- Leaving Work at Work: A Practical Guide to Improving Work/Life Balance for Educators – James Birchenough
Professional Support & Networks
- Welbee: Systemising Staff Wellbeing – Helps school leaders implement wellbeing strategies.
- Education Support – A charity providing mental health and wellbeing support for teachers.
- School Advisory Service: Relaxation Podcasts – Resources to help staff de-stress.
- National Governance Association: Wellbeing Culture – Guidance for fostering wellbeing in school leadership.
Wellbeing Podcasts for Educators
- We Lead Well Podcast – Listen here
- 10 with Zen: What Works in Wellbeing? – Listen here
- Dynamic Deputies Podcast: Seeing Wellbeing Differently – Listen here
- Pursuit of Wellbeing by Maria Brosnan – Listen here
Useful Blog Posts
- Taking the Temperature: Wellbeing in a Remote Setting – Kat Howard
- Lightening the Responsibilities of Leaders – Emma Turner
- No Ordinary Classroom – Jeremy Hannay on leadership
Research & CPD for Wellbeing
- Chartered College of Teaching – Research on teacher wellbeing and professional development.
- MasterClass: Leading on Wellbeing – Expert insights on sustainable leadership and wellbeing.
- HeadteacherChat Community – A support network for school leaders sharing best practices.
Practical Strategies to Prioritise Wellbeing
Self-Care & Work-Life Balance
- Prioritise Sleep: A structured bedtime routine supports mental clarity.
- Incorporate Exercise: Even short daily movement improves mood and resilience.
- Meditation & Mindfulness: Techniques like deep breathing and guided meditation reduce stress.
- Reconnect with Hobbies: Engaging in non-work-related activities fosters balance.
- Unplug After Work: Set boundaries by switching off emails and notifications in the evenings.
Building a Healthy School Culture
- Encourage Open Conversations: Provide safe spaces for staff to discuss wellbeing concerns.
- Lead by Example: School leaders should model work-life balance to set a positive precedent.
- Create a Support Network: Peer coaching, mentoring, and team-building activities enhance staff morale.
- Use Wellbeing Frameworks: Implement structured initiatives such as the Staff Wellbeing Checklist.
Final Thoughts
Wellbeing is not just a ‘nice-to-have’—it is a necessity for sustainable leadership and effective teaching. By investing in self-care, professional support, and a positive school culture, we create an education system where teachers and leaders thrive.
For more guidance, visit the HeadteacherChat Resource Hub:
➡️ Wellbeing and Workload Resources
➡️Mental Health Support Services
What are your top wellbeing strategies? Share them in the comments below!
