Assessing of schools

[Golfitwin]

Aibu to think schools should be rated based on how the staff are feeling rather than in results and performance!?

What would be the criteria?

How the staff are feeling? Sound like the dumbest way to assess a school - what on earth would the criteria be??

Based on how many of the staff want to stay and on how many do stay!

Hoe can it be rated on how staff are feeling? They could feel different each day

No. Schools should be rated on the things that are important to their purpose.

However surely any decent organisation will keep an eye on staff morale and do its best to keep it as high as possible?

I think that currently it’s a big problem, bigger than people realise!

I do understand your point, OP. Staff morale and retention of staff are obviously going to impact the children hugely.

It’s an important factor but can’t be the only one.

No. Staff morale is important, but there's too many human variables in there. Eg: 'I stay because I can pick my kids up easily' or 'I want to leave because it's toxic' (one staff member who is in trouble over attendance, whereas others know it isn't toxic)

Also, the most important thing about a school is the children- that doesn't really factor into your suggestion.

@HollyGolightly4 here we go with teacher bashing 🙄

That was not teacher bashing. They raised some very important points.

They have but it’s rare to acknowledge the wider problems of schools and their workings.

They have but it’s rare to acknowledge the wider problems of schools and their workings.

I'm a teacher and I think to assess schools mainly by how staff are feeling sounds a bit batshit?

Staff morale, well-being should be hugely key to the school but the most important bit is (equally) how happy the children are and how well they are learning.

Can you explain a bit more what you mean?

Having staff come and go revolver door style surely impacts the children and in turn the schools

That would be ridiculous, and I work in a school so I’m very invested in how staff feel.

I left an amazing school because it was no longer the right place for me, but it’s still a great school. I’ve known staff to be unhappy in school for reasons that they would describe as being the schools fault when the reality is the pressure has come from above the headteacher and the problem is just part of the job.

Staff feelings and well being are already considered in Ofsted inspections.

So every child could fail and there be heaps of bullying but as long as the staff have a great Christmas party it's a great school?

@WandaWonder thats not what I’m saying at all eye roll 🙄

Also Xmas parties don’t exist in any profession these days, unless they’re privately organised and paid for by each employee!!!

I think it could be valuable to report on staff retention rates as part of a wider picture. However you would need serious consideration as to how it would be recorded. For example, staff leaving because they have a baby, move home to be nearer family, a new road opens making more desirable areas more accessible etc - none of this would be reflective of school conditions.

One member of staff with disciplinary issues reporting the working environment as toxic - not necessarily reflective.

Well-liked, settled teachers leaving in droves 3 terms after a change of leadership - possibly indicative of a wider issue.

Schools do need to be reminded that staff wellbeing is also part of their remit as an employer.
Many schools forget this

Well-liked, settled teachers leaving in droves 3 terms after a change of leadership - possibly indicative of a wider issue.

this

@FrippEnos yes precisely

Governors should be looking at staff morale as part of staff retention etc.

WandaWonder

Staff leaving in large numbers or even staff whose wellbeing is not being looked after can show you many things including but not exclusive to bad management.
And bad management is one of the root causes of issues in schools not just suffered by staff but by pupils as well.