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The Key for schools

Every school is unique and no issue is one dimensional. The Key's whole school approach gives school leaders one trusted source to turn to for any challenge, equipping them with highly accurate, expertly synthesised and context-rich resources, guidance and CPD. Because driving lasting change always requires a considered approach.

Half of all schools and trusts in the country already rely on us to support them, and work with us to build our support for others, every day.

We take a whole school approach to tackling issues, from guidance on policy changes, to safeguarding implications and governance updates, and from knowledge building articles through to CPD. It's all in one membership.

From SLT, governance professionals and DSLs, through to your middle leaders. With one membership to The Key you get unlimited access for as many staff as you choose.

Our editorial standards set us apart. Our team of in-house researchers have deep sector understanding, allowing us to provide highly contextualised support, regardless of your setting. And we deliver it to you in the most considered way, in the best format for the job in hand.

Accurate guidance, no matter what changes, and all synthesised so your leaders always know what action to take and get it right first time, every time.

The Key is the first port of call when I require information and guidance. It allows me to have confidence in my decision making.

Sunil Murji, Deputy Head Teacher, Kenmore Park Junior School

I can always find exactly what I need on The Key. Be it policies or up-to-date guidance on new initiatives, The Key has it.

Debbie Christiansen, Deputy Headteacher, East Ward Community Primary School

Choose the right membership for your school

The Key for trusts

When you're accountable for every decision that gets made and your central team resource is already stretched, knowing that all your leaders are reading from the same script is invaluable. The Key's whole school approach gives your leaders one trusted source to turn to for any challenge, equipping them with highly accurate, expertly synthesised and context-rich resources, guidance and CPD.

Maintain high standards across the board with quality-assured guidance, resources and CPD. Equip your leaders with everything they need to get it right, every time.

We take a whole school approach to tackling issues, from guidance on policy changes, to safeguarding implications and governance updates, and from knowledge building articles through to CPD. It's all in one membership.

Central team, trustees, SLTs, governance professionals, DSLs through to your middle leaders. With one membership to The Key, you get unlimited access for as many staff as you choose.

Our editorial standards set us apart. Our dedicated team of in-house researchers, writers and specialists have deep sector understanding, allowing us to provide highly contextualised guidance, regardless of your schools' setting - giving your leaders the very best support, for every job.

Half of all schools and trusts are confident in the knowledge that we're there, no matter what, to make sure all their leaders are equipped to make the right decision, every time.

The Key saves me research time when I am writing and updating policies - the templates are easy to amend to meet my trust requirements.

Chief Operating Officer at an academy trust in the North East

Clear and relevant. So simple, a great resource.

Executive headteacher at an academy trust in London

Our pricing is tailored to your trust requirements, get in touch with our team to get a bespoke quote and access to a free trial

Trusted support for your whole school

The Key's whole school approach gives leaders one trusted source to turn to for any challenge, equipping them with highly accurate, expertly synthesised and context-rich resources, guidance and CPD. Because driving lasting change always requires a considered approach.

Trusted advice and resources you can rely on, no matter what comes your way

The Key Leaders is the only support service trusted by over half of all schools in England as they navigate each and every challenge thrown their way - even the ones they don't see coming.

Thousands of up-to-the-minute articles on all aspects of school leadership so you'll know exactly what to do and how to do it right

Hundreds of templates, letters and proformas to give you a headstart on your jobs to be done

Curated weekly emails tailored to your job role with supporting articles and resources

And so much more!

Support great governance and make a difference at your school or trust

The Key Governance gives governors, trustees, clerks and governance professionals confidence in their own skills and the output of their board(s).

A central place to manage board membership, store documents, communicate with each other and keep a shared calendar of meetings.

Board and trust-wide tracking of governance information such as constitution, roles, committees and terms of office.

A library of expert, practical guidance, templates, checklists and training for new, established and link governors/trustees.

A shared area for Multi Academy Trusts to house MAT-wide documents and communicate across the trust plus governor database and reporting for larger MATs.

Helping your school get safeguarding right. Every time.

The Key Safeguarding is the only service that supports your DSL and every single member of staff to get safeguarding right, every time. With a unique blend of DSL leadership resources, eLearning for all staff, parent resources, plus the most comprehensive INSET pack on the market, you'll keep safeguarding at the front of everyone's mind all year round.

A new, ready-to-deliver INSET pack released every year, so your staff stay engaged and fully up to date with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)

eLearning courses for all of your staff, which feed into a handy dashboard to evidence compliance

Downloadable factsheets and termly briefings, to cover key safeguarding topics as they emerge so your staff can spot potential concerns before they become issues

Upskill and inspire your staff to take ownership of school improvement

The Key CPD brings together in-depth essential skills training and innovations from practising teachers and leaders to empower all staff to own school improvement.

Deep dive training modules across a wide range of topics including SEND, differentiation and developing a growth mindset

On-demand talks from practising school leaders and teachers sharing their proven methods that strengthen curriculums and transform classroom standards

Choose the right membership for your school

Questions?

Our team is on hand to answer any queries you have about The Key - get in touch to find out more.

Robert Mayes
Member Support Manager

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Tackle challenges from all angles and drive lasting change with whole school support from The Key. All in one simple membership.

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Transforming Health and Wellbeing for Everyone

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The only UK charity dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of teachers and education staff.

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Governors for Schools - Well Being Training FREE

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Governors for Schools - Well Being Training FREE

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Governors for Schools finds, places and supports skilled volunteers as governors and trustees on school and academy boards.

About us

What we do

About the volunteer role

How we work with schools

Impact and research

Our team

Join the team

Diversity and Inclusion

Featured links

Apply to become a governor

Governor stories

Register a governor vacancy

eLearning

Donate

Contact us

Sycamore House
Sutton Quays Business Park
Sutton Weaver
Runcorn
Cheshire
WA7 3EH

info@governorsforschools.org.uk

020 7354 9805

© 2022 Governors for Schools. Read our Privacy policy.

Governors for Schools is a Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England No. 3879854 and registered as a Charity in England and Wales No. 1078330

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Governors for Schools is a Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England No. 3879854 and registered as a Charity in England and Wales No. 1078330

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Mental Health Resources for Schools, staff and children during COVID. Shared by Embark Federation and contributed to by the Future Shaping Group.

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Mental Health Resources for Schools, staff and children during COVID. Shared by Embark Federation and contributed to by the Future Shaping Group.

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Derbyshire Psychology Service - Websites and resources 

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Derbyshire Psychology Service - Websites and resources 

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Derby and Derbyshire Emotional Health and Well Being

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Derby and Derbyshire Emotional Health and Well Being

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Transforming Health and Wellbeing for Everyone

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As headteacher Darren Morgan copes with looking after his school during the coronavirus pandemic, he shares his 7 tips for headteachers and leaders on how to face this incredibly challenging situation.
As I sit here, writing this, I have 117 children who are self-isolating and 50 further families who are doing the same. 30 members of staff are off school and I am on my knees.

The constant source of information I am receiving and therefore passing on to children, families, staff and governors is unprecedented. Developments are moving at lightning speed; I am certainly not keeping up.

Here are 7 tips for headteachers and leaders on how to face this incredibly challenging situation.

1. Be human

It is important to understand that we cannot solve this problem. We won't be able to solve many of the concerns raised to us by members of our school community. It is crucial that we come to terms with this at an early stage. However, people are looking to us for leadership and guidance, providing a listening ear will provide immense comfort to those who have the faith in you to hear their concerns.

2. You can't read everything

One of the main issues for me is the amount of information I have been receiving every minute of every day. Be it national announcements or commentary, discussions from neighbouring headteachers, social media and your leadership team and staff. For your own mental health I would advise filtering the information that you are receiving. It is ok to accept that one cannot take on board this vast amount of news.

Similarly, turn off or mute your devices in order to give yourself and or your loved ones time each day. This will be a long race, without pacing yourself you will find yourself running out of steam. Run like Mo Farrah rather than Usain Bolt.

3. Communicate regularly and strategically

There are hundreds of people looking to you for guidance. I find that regular communication with all members of the school has been helpful. The feedback I have received is that they have felt informed. It is important that children, parents, staff and governors are not left in the dark as this will lead to frustration and possible negativity. However, I would advise not communicating too frequently, as many small, sometimes contradictory messages can be confusing to those that you are trying to lead.

4. Be honest

I have found that explaining the reasoning behind my decisions has proven immensely helpful. Part of the difficulty in situations such as this is that we can feel isolated and worry about decisions that have been made in the light of alternative choices made by other schools. Remember that they too will feel in the same boat as you. Stating to the parents why the choice has been made and being honest about that you are unsure but are trying to make the right call for your school at this time shows the parents that you are human, which in turn will increase the likelihood of gaining their support.

5. Be visible

I heard a wonderful talk by Ben Walden on the leadership demonstrated by Henry V at The Battle of Agincourt. He showed how Henry demonstrated different styles of leadership at different times. Fundamentally, during the battle he was visible, his troops could see him and therefore had faith in him. I would try to greet parents and bid them farewell each day, and try to be visible in school.

6. Don't destroy bridges

I think there is a risk that during times of crises bridges that have taken many years to construct can be torn down. There will be an end to this crises and it is important that at that point the school is in the strongest position possible. I would advise frequent mention of this to the staff as part of your regular communication. In addition to the risk of relationship break down I think it is also important to consider practical issues. For instance, clearing the fridge and ensuring the school is tidy before a prolonged absence.

7. Plan for the future

I suspect that after the Covid-19 crises there may challenging times in relation to mental health and school finances ahead. I am currently meeting with my SLT each day and are now considering these issues. I am not suggesting putting in firm strategies in place now, due to the timing and many unknown factors but I do think it is wise to start the discussion.

Please look after yourself at this difficult time and remember that today is closer to the end of this than yesterday was.
Darren Morgan is a proud headteacher of a wonderful school and tweets
How we can help

Teachers and education staff who are feeling stressed or anxious during these uncertain times can get confidential emotional support from our free and confidential helpline: 08000 562561.

What can you do?

If you're in a position to help others in these extraordinary times, please consider making a donation so that we can continue to answer the increasing number of desperate calls and grants applications we are receiving. Thank you so much.

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7 tips for headteachers coping with the coronavirus pandemic

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As headteacher Darren Morgan copes with looking after his school during the coronavirus pandemic, he shares his 7 tips for headteachers and leaders on how to face this incredibly challenging situation. As I sit here, writing this, I have 117 children who are self-isolating and 50 further families who are doing the same.

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Headteacher Mental Health and Well-Being Questionnaire November 2020

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Headteacher Mental Health and Well-Being Questionnaire November 2020

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To increase awareness, knowledge and skills across Derbyshire our work around mental health includes the Derbyshire public health training offer.

MH Training

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Former headteachers, Ros McMullen and Andrew Morrish are the co-founders of a new, free wellbeing service for headteachers.

Headrest offers a free daily wellbeing telephone support service for headteachers and CEOs. As experienced ex-heads themselves, they understand how challenging it is right now.

The service is available to talk every Monday - Thursday from 7pm - 8pm. At all other times, we'll try and get back to you as soon as we can. You can also call free on 0800 862 0110 and leave a message.

For more information visit the website here: https://www.headrestuk.co.uk/

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Meditation and Sleep Made Simple - Headspace

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Offer group and one-to-one coaching sessions. This style of executive coaching, led by the ILM qualified team, adopts a solution focused approach  to reflect, identify and action an area of focus. It can support professional development and wellbeing. Contact:

christina.corbett@derbyshire.gov.uk or  paula.clay@derbyshire.gov.uk.

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For Derbyshire County Council employees. Offering free access to emotional and practical  support.

https://staff.derbyshire.gov.uk/your-wellbeing/employee-assistance-programme/employee-assistance-programme.aspx

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Derbyshire Educational Psychology Service 

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Derbyshire Educational Psychology Service 

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Offer ‘Reflective Practice’ sessions, to support headteacher and staff wellbeing. These can be 1:1 session or in small groups.

Contact: Deborah Page, Principal Educational Psychologist

EDPsych.Adminripley@derbyshire.gov.uk