Overview

The Wellbeing Toolkit is an invaluable resource for promoting wellbeing and resilience among all school staff, thereby improving staff attendance and retention, and helping all teachers fall back in love with teaching. In this thought-provoking book, Andrew Cowley, co-founder of Healthy Toolkit (@HealthyToolkit), draws on his own experiences as a school leader to unpick the myths around wellbeing and set out a practical, authentic and values-driven model that will enable leaders to foster a positive atmosphere for the benefit of the whole-school community. With a focus on developing a culture of positivity and self-care, effectively enabling all staff members to take ownership of the wellbeing strategy and supporting and promoting healthy lifestyles, this practical guide also considers scenarios arising from potentially more stressful incidents such as a bereavement. Staff wellbeing needs to be a strategic consideration for all primary and secondary school leaders, not something delivered on an ad hoc basis. Emphasis must be placed on really knowing staff, what motivates them and what may affect their confidence. The Wellbeing Toolkit offers effective strategies for addressing staff wellbeing from a whole-school perspective with particular reference to reducing workload, managing stress and supporting teachers in challenging circumstances.

Full Product Details

9781472961655

Table of Contents

Reviews

Rooted in practical ideas that are working well in UK schools, this guide to teacher wellbeing is an incredible helping hand for teachers and school leaders looking to enable staff to thrive and strive. * Dr Pooky Knightsmith, Mental Health Advisor, Author, Speaker and Educator, @PookyH * Andrew Cowley tackles the toxic side of school culture effected by high levels of accountability and change. All school leaders need this toolkit, which offers a principled, strategic approach to wellbeing and to building authentic relationships within the school community. * Vivienne Porritt, Education and Leadership Consultant and National Leader of #WomenEd, @ViviennePorritt * Andrew Cowley provides an insightful exploration of the concept, challenges and opportunities associated with putting wellbeing at the heart of any school. He writes with passion, enthusiasm and the can-do attitude that is needed to help individuals and school leaders to find the confidence to take charge and create the culture needed to allow staff wellbeing to thrive. * Victoria Hewett, Secondary Teacher, @MrsHumanities * Cowley takes a sensible and human approach to outlining the importance of wellbeing for staff, balancing his approach between leaders and teachers. His guidance is reassuringly based on empathy, common sense and a sensitivity to the diversity of staff experiences, including advice on leading teams of parents, those undergoing fertility treatment and those seeking personal and professional fulfilment throughout life's trials. A recommended read for school leaders seeking to retain and develop staff, transforming the sometimes ambiguous concept of 'wellbeing' into practical strategies. * Emma Sheppard, Founder of The MaternityTeacher PaternityTeacher Project, @Comment_Ed * Andrew demonstrates through research the impact a lack of wellbeing can have on staff morale. Seeking to help school leaders think and question practice to develop a 'school culture for wellbeing to grow and thrive', this book is certainly a must-read. * Bretta Townend-Jowitt, Primary Headteacher, @2106Head * From principles to practice, The Wellbeing Toolkit is destined to make a huge impact on teacher recruitment and retention; it offers practical guidance on weaving wellbeing through the fabric of schools, for a healthier work-life balance. It's a game changer! * Anoara Mughal, Assistant Headteacher, @anoara_a * With The Wellbeing Toolkit, Andrew has written a book relevant to everyone who is invested in the wellbeing of their school. From a governor's perspective, this book offers valuable practical advice and guidance on how staff wellbeing can be made a priority. Drawing on his own experiences and those of others, it really is a must-have resource for every school. * Matt Young, School Governor and UK Pastoral Chat Lead, @MattGovernor * Andrew sets out a vision for what is possible when schools take a proactive approach to wellbeing. Packed with practical guidance and real-life examples, this book is a 'must-read' for heads, teachers and governors alike. * Ruth Swailes, School Improvement Advisor, Consultant and Former Headteacher, @SwailesRuth * If you want to know how to make wellbeing part of the lived and breathed culture at your school, you need to read this book. I love the 'toolkit takeaways' at the end of each chapter, giving practical ways you can embed wellbeing. Andrew has written a book that will empower teachers and leaders at all levels to take ownership of things that affect wellbeing. Highly recommended! * Adrian Bethune, Primary Teacher, Author and Education Policy Lead at The Mindfulness Initiative, @AdrianBethune * What makes The Wellbeing Toolkit an essential read for any school leader or school governor is Andrew's vast experience, understanding of how schools work, and his candid, incredibly practical and viable suggestions for moving forward. For any educator serious about building a wellbeing culture at the heart of their school - start with this book. * Clare Erasmus, Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing at Brighton Hill Community School and Author of 'The Mental Health and Wellbeing Handbook for Schools', @cerasmusteach * A great toolkit for supporting those working in schools to improve their undertaking of wellbeing. In order to ensure we are mindful of children's wellbeing, we need to put our own wellbeing first. It's about learning how to be well in order to be well to learn. * Rachel Orr, ITT Tutor, Education Consultant, Teacher and Mental Health First Aider, @RachelOrr * A fabulous read, covering such a huge amount that is utterly relevant to all those who work in school settings. Andrew has created a friendly but well-researched handbook that we can all dip into and benefit from greatly. * Amy Harvey, Head of School, St. Peter's Junior School, @ms_jamdangory *

Cowley takes a sensible and human approach to outlining the importance of wellbeing for staff, balancing his approach between leaders and teachers. His guidance is reassuringly based on empathy, common sense and a sensitivity to the diversity of staff experiences, including advice on leading teams of parents, those undergoing fertility treatment and those seeking personal and professional fulfilment throughout life's trials. A recommended read for school leaders seeking to retain and develop staff, transforming the sometime ambiguous concept of 'wellbeing' into practical strategies. * Emma Sheppard, Founder of The MaternityTeacher PaternityTeacher Project * Andrew demonstrates through research the impact a lack of wellbeing can have on staff morale. Seeking to help school leaders think and question practice to develop a 'school culture for wellbeing to grow and thrive', this book is certainly a must-read. * Bretta Townend-Jowitt, Primary Headteacher, @2106Head * From principles to practice, The Wellbeing Toolkit is destined to make a huge impact on teacher recruitment and retention; it offers practical guidance on weaving wellbeing through the fabric of schools, for a healthier work-life balance. It's a game changer! * Anoara Mughal, Assistant Headteacher, @anoara_a * Andrew sets out a vision for what is possible when schools take a proactive approach to wellbeing. Packed with practical guidance and real-life examples, this book is a 'must-read' for heads, teachers and governors alike. * Ruth Swailes, School Improvement Advisor, Consultant and Former Headteacher * Rooted in practical ideas that are working well in UK schools, this guide to teacher wellbeing is an incredible helping hand for teachers and school leaders looking to enable staff to thrive and strive. * Dr Pooky Knightsmith, Mental Health Advisor, Author, Speaker and Educator, @PookyH *

Cowley takes a sensible and human approach to outlining the importance of wellbeing for staff, balancing his approach between leaders and teachers. His guidance is reassuringly based on empathy, common sense and a sensitivity to the diversity of staff experiences, including advice on leading teams of parents, those undergoing fertility treatment and those seeking personal and professional fulfilment throughout life's trials. A recommended read for school leaders seeking to retain and develop staff, transforming the sometime ambiguous concept of 'wellbeing' into practical strategies. * Emma Sheppard, Founder of The MaternityTeacher PaternityTeacher Project * Andrew demonstrates through research the impact a lack of wellbeing can have on staff morale. Seeking to help school leaders think and question practice to develop a 'school culture for wellbeing to grow and thrive', this book is certainly a must-read. * Bretta Townend-Jowitt, Primary Headteacher, @2106Head *

Rooted in practical ideas that are working well in UK schools, this guide to teacher wellbeing is an incredible helping hand for teachers and school leaders looking to enable staff to thrive and strive. * Dr Pooky Knightsmith, Mental Health Advisor, Author, Speaker and Educator, @PookyH * Andrew Cowley tackles the toxic side of school culture effected by high levels of accountability and change. All school leaders need this toolkit, which offers a principled, strategic approach to wellbeing and to building authentic relationships within the school community. * Vivienne Porritt, Education and Leadership Consultant and National Leader of #WomenEd, @ViviennePorritt * Andrew Cowley provides an insightful exploration of the concept, challenges and opportunities associated with putting wellbeing at the heart of any school. He writes with passion, enthusiasm and the can-do attitude that is needed to help individuals and school leaders to find the confidence to take charge and create the culture needed to allow staff wellbeing to thrive. * Victoria Hewett, Secondary Teacher, @MrsHumanities * Cowley takes a sensible and human approach to outlining the importance of wellbeing for staff, balancing his approach between leaders and teachers. His guidance is reassuringly based on empathy, common sense and a sensitivity to the diversity of staff experiences, including advice on leading teams of parents, those undergoing fertility treatment and those seeking personal and professional fulfilment throughout life's trials. A recommended read for school leaders seeking to retain and develop staff, transforming the sometimes ambiguous concept of 'wellbeing' into practical strategies. * Emma Sheppard, Founder of The MaternityTeacher PaternityTeacher Project, @Comment_Ed * Andrew demonstrates through research the impact a lack of wellbeing can have on staff morale. Seeking to help school leaders think and question practice to develop a 'school culture for wellbeing to grow and thrive', this book is certainly a must-read. * Bretta Townend-Jowitt, Primary Headteacher, @2106Head * From principles to practice, The Wellbeing Toolkit is destined to make a huge impact on teacher recruitment and retention; it offers practical guidance on weaving wellbeing through the fabric of schools, for a healthier work-life balance. It's a game changer! * Anoara Mughal, Assistant Headteacher, @anoara_a * With The Wellbeing Toolkit, Andrew has written a book relevant to everyone who is invested in the wellbeing of their school. From a governor's perspective, this book offers valuable practical advice and guidance on how staff wellbeing can be made a priority. Drawing on his own experiences and those of others, it really is a must-have resource for every school. * Matt Young, School Governor and UK Pastoral Chat Lead, @MattGovernor * Andrew sets out a vision for what is possible when schools take a proactive approach to wellbeing. Packed with practical guidance and real-life examples, this book is a 'must-read' for heads, teachers and governors alike. * Ruth Swailes, School Improvement Advisor, Consultant and Former Headteacher, @SwailesRuth * If you want to know how to make wellbeing part of the lived and breathed culture at your school, you need to read this book. I love the 'toolkit takeaways' at the end of each chapter, giving practical ways you can embed wellbeing. Andrew has written a book that will empower teachers and leaders at all levels to take ownership of things that affect wellbeing. Highly recommended! * Adrian Bethune, Primary Teacher, Author and Education Policy Lead at The Mindfulness Initiative, @AdrianBethune * What makes The Wellbeing Toolkit an essential read for any school leader or school governor is Andrew's vast experience, his understanding of how schools work, and his candid, incredibly practical and viable suggestions for moving forward. For any educator serious about building a wellbeing culture at the heart of their school - start with this book. * Clare Erasmus, Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing at Brighton Hill Community School and Author of 'The Mental Health and Wellbeing Handbook for Schools', @cerasmusteach * A great toolkit for supporting those working in schools to improve their undertaking of wellbeing. In order to ensure we are mindful of children's wellbeing, we need to put our own wellbeing first. It's about learning how to be well in order to be well to learn. * Rachel Orr, ITT Tutor, Education Consultant, Teacher and Mental Health First Aider, @RachelOrr * A fabulous read, covering such a huge amount that is utterly relevant to all those who work in school settings. Andrew has created a friendly but well-researched handbook that we can all dip into and benefit from greatly. * Amy Harvey, Head of School, St. Peter's Junior School, @ms_jamdangory * A practical book on wellbeing that highlights misconceptions surrounding the topic and offers practical solutions for leaders at all stages to take on board and implement. * Maria O'Neill, Head of PSHE, eSafety Coordinator and Founder of UK Pastoral Chat, @DaringOptimist * Wellbeing is vitally important in today's society. Andrew Cowley is an inspiration and a realist. The Wellbeing Toolkit is full of passion, strong values, principles and empowerment, and it is empirically researched, practical and accessible for all education professionals. This book should be required reading for trainee teachers, practising teachers, support staff, senior leaders, headteachers, governing bodies and trustees, stakeholders, researchers, the Department for Education and Ofsted. This book is absolutely fabulous. * Helen Dlamini, Secondary Teacher and Leader, @Artology *

Author Information

Andrew Cowley is a deputy headteacher in London and is passionate about staff wellbeing in schools. He is the co-founder of Healthy Toolkit (@HealthyToolkit), an organisation dedicated to encouraging and advancing teacher wellbeing. Along with the Healthy Toolkit team, he promotes changing attitudes and outlooks, leads serious discussions on mindfulness and wellbeing, and offers practical ways to support teachers with their physical and mental health. Follow Andrew on Twitter: @andrew_cowley23.

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