I have been thinking how to describe Headship right now.

(However, having written this blog I think relevant to all education staff not just heads!)

The image of two boxers in a ring hitting each other over and over again, came to me.

However as a Headteacher there are a few differences:

1. There are many opponents in the ring at the same time, throwing their punches at you.

2. The heavy weight boxers are waiting in the wings ready to add to the hits and they will only give 24 hours notice they are coming! And they come deliver rounds and rounds of punches and leave you on the canvas, battered, with a one word judgement!

3. The heavy weights refusing to pause their visits to the ring, even after 100s of 1000s of people asking them to.

4. We cannot hit back as it would be unprofessional and in the case of the heavy weights a criminal act.

5. The rules of the sport change on a regular basis without notice so just when you think you know where a punch is coming from it changes.

6. There is no defence from most of the punches. And, sometimes we even have one had tied behind our backs (reduced funding etc.) We just have to keep taking them over and over again.

7. There is a feeling of personal responsibility for every punch and the effect is not just the instance impact that hurts, they go on hurting well after the strike.

This relentless pounding and the fear of a heavy weight onslaught leads to severe brain pain.

And sadly, there seems to be only one option to properly protect ourselves…

GET OUT OF THE RING!!!

(I.e go off ill, resign, retire or in Ruth Perry’s very sad case take ones life.)

It is madness and it is all unnecessary…. as Head’s really want to stay in the ring. They want to do it and keep taking the strikes for the children and staff they serve. However, sometimes it just hurts too much amd they have to exit.

Those that do stay, I would suggest are also in pain and not very many punches from feeling they need to get out of the ring.

So, if you get the chance…please ask a Head how they are, what are the most painful punches, where the most come from, how much they fear the heavy weights and how close they are to leaving the ring.

If they are not okay and feel battered, maybe ask and act on these questions:

How the number of punches could be reduced?

How they can be protected from the punches?

How the impact from the heavy weights can be reduced, before, during and after their onslaught.

How you can help them defend themselves?

Maybe…

Governors articulating their views of the heavy weight and taking responsibility for outcome of that fight. (Before the fight)

Setting safety measures for the heavy weight fight. (How it fight will take place…never just one person in the ring?

Agreement of how to protect heads re professional and personal boundaries. (email contact, governor support erc)

Leadership coaching and well being services for all staff

Sharing views nationally

Thank you for reading this and please let me know if this resonates and if there are any other ways you have helped yourself or your head in the ring and I will share to help others.

For those who have left the ring then sorry it got too much but sadly it is not a surprise.

Take care of each other and may your God be with you.