Laughology's work with Year leaders in a school helps in achieving a good from Ofsted

The newly-formed management team at Maidenhall Primary School inherited a range of historic issues. Motivated and committed, they were determined to create a nurturing and successful environment. Due to a range of reasons Maidenhall Primary School in Luton had faced challenges and been assessed as requires improvement by Ofsted.

A new forward-thinking senior leadership team who shared the vision of creating a thriving and successful learning environment was put in position. As part of the changes several teachers were made year leaders. They were required to manage staff at all levels as well as pupils, parental expectations and LEA requirements. To do this effectively they sought a range of managerial skills which was additional to their technical teaching skills.

Laughology was invited in to deliver a management programme and support the new team in growing their new culture. Through interviews and discussion sessions we assessed the most relevant and useful skills the new heads of years needed to achieve the goals required. We developed a bespoke programme to embed new and effective skill sets.

We built a programme which was delivered through sessions over several weeks and incorporated both practical and psychological tools and techniques. The programme was designed to develop management ability and to embed resilience and confidence in participants. The participants were also taught coaching skills which in turn allowed them to develop their own teams.

We are delighted to announce this month Ofsted visited the school and has now graded it as good. The hard work and passion Maidenhall team have shown to increasing learning targets and self development where needed has paid off. We are delighted to have supported Maidenhall School through this process and even Ofsted recognised the importance of the management and senior leaders development in their report.

Top tips for your management team

1. Have regular meetings
2. Develop a set of guidelines together which are just for your team – this might be around behaviours, proceedures etc
3. Be Clear about expectations
4. Praise and reward where and when you can
5. Create optimism and positive thinking
6. Develop your coaching skills
7. Always make yourself available.

You can have a huge impact on your team just by the way you are with them. Make them feel valued, motivated and have clear guidelines and you will reap the benefits. The mood of the manager in any organisation is the key to making teams successful.