Resilience isn’t a solo pursuit. It’s cultivated in community. Within the wider staff team, it is shaped less by grand gestures, such as cakes on a Friday (although lovely), and more by the everyday climate. 

Within staff teams, the conditions that support resilience are often rooted in professional trust, autonomy, being heard and a shared purpose. 

• Autonomy and professional trust allows staff to exercise judgment and feel ownership over their work. Micromanagement kills morale – where possible staff should be given room to breathe and make decisions about their work. 

• Clarity around expectations helps prevent overload and fosters a sense of control. Workload remains a perennial challenge. While there’s no silver bullet, regular reflection and genuine engagement on policies and practices - from marking expectations to meeting schedules - can help ensure that systems are serving their purpose without becoming burdensome. 

• Recognition and appreciation, even in small ways, reinforce a culture where people feel seen and valued. This will include celebrating success - whether a quick shout-out in a staff meeting, a handwritten note or a thank you email - these positive affirmations can make someone’s week. Many individuals will just quietly get on - constantly doing a good job - and affirmation is important. 

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It is important that this is about leaders, teachers and support staff – this is one staff team that holds everything together. Everyone’s experience deserves equal attention. A culture that values every role fosters a stronger, more cohesive team.