Working with your whole school on stress management
Support Staff have a challenging role in school, particularly when working with those students anxious about their exams. It can often seem as if a small cohort of students monopolises the attention of pastoral staff. It can turn into a regular battle around acceptable levels of discipline and behaviour.
When everyone in the school shares the same focus then this can reduce the 1:1 time required by specialist staff. Whilst their experience and expertise is vital, sharing your school exam stress approach with all those involved in supporting students, can ease the burden on a small team of Well Being or Mental health Staff.
Well-Being and Safeguarding is of course a huge area in our schools, which everyone takes seriously.
Whilst a school wide approach to exam stress, in no way takes away from those with considerable knowledge in this area, it does enable others to become more aware of issues in the run up to exams.
The positive ripples of this can only do good as staff get better at ‘spotting’ those who may be at risk, or in need or more personalised support.
No-one wants valuable staff exhausted by continual 1:1 or small group work. Involving the wider team helps everyone to get involved in the welfare of your school community, That can only have positive benefits for the students.
With more staff on every level, up to speed on exam stress, you widen the opportunities for referrals.
Rather than channelling those students direct to Well Being or Pastoral Support (whatever your School Terminology), you may find you’re able to notice challenges sooner.
That’s not only good for your Specialist Teams, but good for the students who get more timely interventions. It’s good for your wider staff team too.
Just being ‘genned up’ on the fundamentals of exam stress, on what to watch out for, can enable non-teaching staff to be involved in your Exam Management Plan. They might spot things that become apparent at particular times.
Lunchtime staff might for instance notice:
- students who avoid lunchtimes
- who don’t eat their packed lunch
- avoid certain foods or mealtimes altogether
- or are noticeably absent at this time of day
Every small tell-tale sign adds up when pieced together. Every observation is of value to the whole picture of how a student may be faring as exams draw nearer.
Please don’t underestimate the potential for a whole school approach to supporting students through their exams – in every aspect of their lives – not just in the classroom.
- From PE staff who notice a student is regularly lethargic or lacking energy
- Form Teachers who observe a lack of self-care in those previously meticulous about their appearance
- Caretakers who become aware of students hanging around certain areas or avoiding class
There are many staff who can offer extra eyes and ears around the school who can prove to be wider care-takers of the students.
Whatever strategy or plan you follow to help your students do their best at exam time, discuss it with your wider community.
Have everyone alert to changes. These are the staff who see students every day in their own capacity, who have come to see regular patterns of behaviour.
They are the ideal people to see small but subtle shifts. Caught early, you have a chance to bring in your specialist Well-Being teams.
Having worked in Prison for the past 15 years, we have a term – Grey man. Those individuals who stay under the radar until something shifts for them that moves them into a danger zone,
Let your staff watch out for those who may not generally flag up as needing support.
Exam stress can push the best of us, out of us.
But with a wider, joined up Team, you have a better chance of noticing and intervening, quicker and better.
Are you looking for a Whole School Exam Stress Strategy? Get your 3 Essentials to Exam Stress download here and add your name to the Exam Reaction Plan Waitlist www.geraldinejozefiak.com/reactionwaitlist