The Not-So-Secret Diary of a Principal

I’ve always worked best in the morning. I like to get up early, before anyone else wakes. My alarm can go off anytime between 5.45am and 6.45am. When I’m being really good, I’ll go for a run or write (I’ve been doing my PhD for what seems like forever!) and prep for the day ahead. Its probably the only quiet coffee I’ll have for the day, so I savour it! I have 3 little people, so as soon as they wake, its busy busy with breakfast, uniforms, lunches, etc. I drop my youngest to crèche around the corner at about 8.15am, whilst his two sisters are dropped to school by their dad.

My role is to lead teaching and learning in the school. Listing what that encompasses is like asking how long a piece of string is! My priority is always to the pupils and their learning. It is the basis for all decision-making.

I don’t think there is a typical day as a principal!  I usually start the day meeting with teachers or parents. When the morning bell goes, I like to be at the door to greet pupils. I also like to visit classrooms –it can be for a variety of reasons- to check in with a teacher, to follow up with a pupil, or just to say good morning. By 9.30am, a lovely calm descends on the school as classes get started on their day. I go back to the office to work on priorities for the day, which can range from communication with parents, School Self Evaluation, policy development, management of the physical school environment (grounds and building), arrangements for pupils with SEN, meeting preparation, etc. etc. After that, managing time can be difficult as the school day can be very unpredictable.

Every now and then, someone makes a positive comment about the impact a teacher or the school has had on their child, or their family. It reminds me of the importance and value of our jobs as educators. I enjoy the challenge of being a principal-the variety and the rewards of leading learning for pupils and teachers. There are far more ups than downs in the job, so I really try to  appreciate them, rather than focus on the challenging times.

There are almost 500 pupils in our school, with 500 sets of parents. There are 35 members of staff, each with their own families…that is a lot of people that can be impacted every day by what happens in school. The workload and responsibility can be huge, so you have to manage your time extremely well. However, the main challenge for me is the emotional aspect of the job when working with children. We aim to do our very best for each pupil, but you don’t always get it right, or it can be difficult to achieve all that you or others want for the school.

The teachers I work with, their kindness, patience, dedication and professionalism. I’m proud of our school culture that aims to provide a sense of belonging and to develop pupils’ talents, whatever that is, enabling them to achieve their potential, and to be the best version of themselves.

You could work 24 hours a day, and still have more to do. Its so important to pace yourself in the role of principal, so you need to know when to call it a day and go home for family time. In the evening, we do homework and try to get out for a walk (weather permitting!). We have dinner together and then its reading and bedtime. I watch very little TV, unless it is a series-I’m watching Mad Men at the moment.  I love reading, but often only manage a few pages before tiredness hits.

I love mottos and quotes! My current favourite is ‘Calm is a super power’. I think it is very important to take life as it comes, to embrace the challenge of whatever it brings, and to allow yourself to make mistakes so you can learn, value and enjoy what you do.