What’s morale like in your school?

[BB8sm8]

I started a new job in Sept in a secondary school having had years out, so I’ve got nothing to compare it to. I just wonder what morale is like in your school at the moment? I can see staff in Sept were already exhausted from managing the situation since March and this latest lockdown seems to have really knocked staff and students for 6. How is everyone else finding it?

We have had very low staff morale (primary) since the children all came back on 8th March. But hopefully the Easter holidays will help everyone recharge their batteries ready for the final summer term 🤞

We are all bloody knackered but the head is on the verge of retirement and willing to stick his neck out in our defence, so we’re surviving.

Honestly? Really good. But we're very lucky and have a damn good SLT who really keep everyone positive. (Primary.)

Shit. Hoping for an Easter reset.

Exhausted and lots of crying since 8th March. Very supportive school, but it's all too much.

Generally fairly good but we haven't had a break since Christmas, so Easter holidays are really needed. I teach abroad and we have now had half classes alternating for the past few weeks, which has actually been really nice. I know my kids miss their friends but from a teaching point of view, having 10 in my class is so much easier and they get much more support. I much prefer it over the half online/half in class situation we had previously.
The vast majority of our staff have also had their first vaccination (had mine yesterday) and we've not had a single positive case in school so far.

We currently have an acting DHT and HT and this on top of Covid restrctions has meant the staff morale is really low. I've worked in this school (large primary) for years and it's been a great place to work. The HT permanent post will be advertised soon so we're all hoping the acting woman won't get it - very little teaching experience, hardly any classroom experience and no idea how to communicate with people (staff or parents).

New head and deputies on top of covid means stand are at their lowest. They don't seem to trust us much.

Staff not stand

Mostly ok, supportive SLT but very large 5 form entry so year teams have become our families and we've not really been able to spend time with the larger team.
I started this year and there are teachers I've not even met yet. The lack of ability to meet and discuss altogether has been hard.

Well...

We're facing redundancies due to financial mismanagement, the head had taken retirement and 'negotiated' to go early (last week).

We're joining a MAT in September and awaiting their recommendations for pretty much everything.

I say 'we', I won't be there, having jumped to save someone (possibly me, possibly not) being pushed.

So yeah, covid and CAGs are probably the things I'd say we're coping quite well with, there's that slightly manic air of doom where no-one knows what's coming next. A lot of us are still in shock at the extent of the utter shit show.

It's really hard on most of SLT and middle managers who have consistently worked really hard and basically been let down by the HT and governors. They feel responsible even though none of it is their fault.

@Frlrlrubert

I am really sorry to hear what your school are going through.

I once worked in a school where a situation was completely mis managed and nobody knew what was coming next, it wasn't very nice.

Have you got another role for September?

@Ravenclawlass

I have got another role for September, sad to leave my colleagues and pupils, but someone has to go either way, might as well take it as a push onwards and upwards.