Mike Buchanan lists five steps to help cope with a high-stakes environment

Here is some basic physics which I am sure you will recognise: pressure = force/area. So, the greater the force, the higher the pressure and the smaller the area the force acts on, the higher the pressure. Increase the force and, simultaneously, decrease the area and you are heading for trouble. This is why I don’t often wear stiletto heels!

But this is exactly what we, headteachers, teachers and parents, often do in the run-up to exams and it’s increasingly what our pupils feel generally about their school lives. Their perception is that the force exerted by well-meaning parents and teachers ramps up and is focused on a narrower and narrower area – them and their work ethic.

And so it is for school leaders as well. This is a time of increased pressure on them with the uncertainty over the consequences of VAT and other externally imposed forces, so transference is something you may need to manage.

Transference is when a person (that is, you) unconsciously redirects feelings and attitudes from yourself to another person. For example, if you are feeling the pressure of leadership, you may impose that on others around you.

In our high-stakes environment, pressure is an ever-present force. As school leaders, it’s crucial to understand how to manage this pressure, not only for ourselves but also for our staff and students. Drawing inspiration from the ‘Action for Happiness’ movement, here are five steps to help contain and manage pressure effectively:

1. Promote mindfulness and meditation

Mindfulness and meditation are powerful tools that can help reduce stress and improve overall wellbeing. Encouraging pupils, teachers, and parents to incorporate mindfulness practices into their daily routines can create a more relaxed and focused school environment. Schools have successfully integrated mindfulness into their culture, demonstrating its benefits in reducing anxiety and improving concentration.

2. Open conversations about mental health

Creating an open dialogue about mental health is essential. Treating mental health with the same importance as physical health helps to remove the stigma associated with mental illness. By fostering an environment where you, pupils and staff feel comfortable discussing mental health, you can provide the support needed to thrive. This approach aligns with the Action for Happiness belief in the importance of emotional wellbeing.

3. Emphasise balance

Balance is key to managing pressure. Encourage students and your colleagues to balance their academic responsibilities with adequate sleep, exercise and relaxation. Lead by example. Research shows that work without sufficient rest and relaxation can be counterproductive. By promoting a balanced lifestyle, we can help students and colleagues perform better and maintain their mental health.

4. Practise active listening

Sometimes, the best way to support someone under pressure is simply to listen. Pupils often feel the weight of expectations from parents and teachers. By actively listening to their concerns and providing a supportive ear, we can help alleviate some of this pressure. Remember, most pupils are already aware of the expectations placed on them; they need reassurance and understanding more than reminders of their responsibilities. Crucially, who listens to you?

5. Celebrate effort, not just achievement

It’s important to recognise and celebrate the effort pupils and colleagues put into their work, not just their achievements. This approach can help reduce the pressure to perform and encourage growth. By praising effort as much as achievement, we reinforce the value of hard work and perseverance, which are crucial for long-term success.

By implementing these steps, school leaders can create a supportive and balanced environment that helps pupils and staff manage pressure effectively. By adopting these practices, school leaders benefit themselves. The principles of Action for Happiness remind us that wellbeing should be at the heart of our educational practices, fostering a happier and more productive school community, and should not be lost at times of heightened pressure.

Mike Buchanan is the founder of PositvelyLeading.co.uk

Mike Buchanan
©Russell Sach