Nicola Maher presents five ways for school leaders to maintain sanity during challenging times

Desperate times call for desperate measures is a sentiment that has become a common refrain among school leaders across the country. Whether in the independent or state sector, across primary or secondary settings, the outlook for schools continues to grow more challenging year after year. I remain in awe of the resilience, creativity and determination demonstrated by leadership teams who manage to drive their schools forward despite the relentless pressures they face.

There’s a unique kind of tenacity in school leaders, the same determination that drives them to keep going until every last pupil in their class can punctuate properly. Yet, the reality is that times are undeniably tough. School leaders are increasingly forced to confront financial realities, carefully scrutinise budgets, and explore innovative ways to make ends meet. For some, it may seem that the only remaining options are making cuts, joining multi-academy trusts in the state sector, or pursuing mergers and acquisitions in the independent sector.

And difficult decisions will be necessary, no question about it. But it’s important to keep our heads and be sure that the decisions we are taking today leave our schools in the most robust position for the future. Every challenge brings opportunities, and as Peter Drucker said, “the best way to predict the future is to create it”.

What future do we want to create? Many years ago, I worked as a change management consultant in London, mainly in the financial sector. I learned a critical lesson: any organisational change, no matter how focused, inevitably creates a ripple effect across the entire organisation – often with unintended and unforeseen consequences. When organisations make significant cuts or merge with others, there is a tendency to prioritise the tangible, or ‘hard’, elements – such as strategy, structure and systems – which are easily identifiable and measurable.

The result is that even with the best financial management strategies in place, the desired improvements in performance and culture rarely materialise. Without a common set of values, no matter how well the numbers work out, things can start to feel out of sync. People get confused, motivation dips, and before you know it, what seemed like a smart financial move turns into an organisational mess. It’s not just about the spreadsheets, or the structure – it’s about aligning everyone to a common purpose, a set of values that can guide decisions and actions.

In education, like in any organisation, the real challenge is not in the ‘hard’ aspects of change. It is in the soft elements – the culture, the values, the relationships that hold everything together. Without that, it doesn’t matter how clever your budget plan is. The outcomes you’re looking for, whether in improved pupil performance or a thriving school community, will not materialise.

So, what can school leaders do to stay grounded and lead through these challenging times? Here are five steps to help you maintain focus and resilience:

1. Understand what’s actually going on now

Be laser-like in your focus on what’s going on at your school. Review progress and attainment regularly – and look to see what lessons can be learned from the successes and challenges that emerge from the trends. Learn lessons from what is working well and what needs changing. Engage with stakeholders, they are seeing the same things as you but from a different angle.

2. Trust your team

Your staff are highly trained, highly dedicated professionals with a deep sense of personal ownership about what’s going on in their class. Trust them, and listen to what they are telling you. Research from McKinsey’s organisational health data shows that organisations that actively listen to and act on recommendations from front line employees are 80% more likely consistently to implement new and improved ways of doing things. Empowering your team to share their ideas will foster creativity and problem-solving.

3. Clarify your school’s direction – adversity can spark innovation

Ensure that all stakeholders understand the school’s vision and its unique qualities. When times are tough, there’s also opportunity for agility and creativity. Work together with your staff, pupils and community to shape a vision that moves your school forward.

4. Focus on increasing value, not just cutting costs

While making cuts may seem like a necessary solution, it’s crucial not to lose sight of what makes your school special. Don’t undermine the qualities that define your institution. For example, it might be tempting to lose teaching assistants or sell off part of the school grounds to build flats for short-term financial gain, but this could compromise the very mission and values your school stands for. Stay true to your school’s purpose and look for ways to enhance value, even in challenging times.

5. Governors – triangulate, triangulate and triangulate

Just attending governor meetings and seeing positive exam results doesn’t give you the full picture. Make it your business to truly understand what’s happening on the ground. Go on learning walks, engage with teachers, talk to parents, and connect with pupils. A clear understanding of what’s happening at every level will ensure that your school development plans are based in reality.

In these challenging times, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but as school leaders, we have the power to shape the future. Of course we need to keep our eyes on the financials, while still not losing sight of the bigger picture. By staying focused on our values, trusting our teams, and staying true to the mission that defines our schools, we can not only survive the storm but emerge stronger. Leadership isn’t just about managing crises – it’s about creating opportunities from adversity and driving lasting change for the better. Keep your head, keep your vision clear, and keep leading with purpose. The future of education is in our hands.

Nicola Maher is director of Firehorse Education Consulting

Nicola Maher