Headteacher's Bold Moves: Beating Teacher Burnout

In this episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I’m joined by David Huntingford, the head teacher of William Ford Church of England Junior School. David shares his inspiring journey of implementing significant changes within his school to foster a thriving environment for both pupils and staff. He discusses the school's core curriculum intent – for pupils to thrive, not just survive – and how this underpins their approach to learning, making it purposeful and connected to future aspirations. David also bravely details impactful decisions such as the removal of traditional marking and homework, explaining the positive effects on teacher workload, pupil well-being, and even attendance.The conversation delves into David's leadership philosophy, particularly regarding the restructuring of TLRs to empower a smaller, more focused leadership team with dedicated time for impactful work. He highlights the importance of trust and autonomy in leadership, allowing subject leaders to drive improvements based on their understanding of the school's needs. Furthermore, David explains their strategic approach to CPD, ensuring it aligns with school development priorities and fosters a culture of peer support and continuous improvement. The episode concludes with a discussion on the school's impressive staff retention and low levels of work-related stress, a testament to the positive changes implemented under David's leadership.Connect with David Huntingford:Tel: 0208 270 6582 Email: [email protected] Website: www.williamfordschool.co.ukFollow me on:1. Instagram: @rowenaphicks2. Facebook: Rowena Hicks3. Linked In: Rowena HicksEmail me: [email protected] my website for Books, Journals, Free Community and lots of other interesting stuff: www.rowenahicks.com