Since the pandemic, we know that behaviour has become a greater concern for many schools and this is inevitably impacting on the wellbeing of staff. We partner with a number of organisations who work with schools. This piece shares the experiences of the team at humanutopia.
As the Covid pandemic disappears in our rear-view mirror, it would appear that the effects of two years of disrupted education are still manifesting themselves. Our teams at humanutopia have rarely visited a school that hasn’t reported concerns about student behaviour with many colleagues expressing real frustration with widespread low-level disruption. Indeed, many staff tell us they have feelings of incompetence and bewilderment resulting in them wanting to leave the profession.
One of the most searched phrases on our website at the moment relates to the motivation of students. No real surprise there. After almost 24 months of stop-start education, of course they are lacking in drive and passion. Of course, they are demotivated. Of course, they are apathetic. Of course, they are ambivalent about schoolwork. After being scared senseless and trapped at home why wouldn’t they be?
Since schools reopened after the pandemic, demand for humanutopia’s programmes has exceeded our capacity, with schools clamouring to support the psychological and social needs of their young people as well as trying to develop their academic progress. humanutopia’s programmes seek to offer a fresh approach; we are trying to use the hiatus to reimagine what education could and should be; we want to seize upon the opportunity that this pandemic has presented to us. We see our young people as more than just numbers, we recognise that their emotional and spiritual needs far outweigh any other demands being made of them currently.
Our events offer youngsters space and time to reflect, to discuss, to vent, to be heard, to express their feelings about this enormous chapter in their lives but more importantly to share their concerns about the future. At the best of times, I meet too many teenagers that lack hope and confidence about their future, these fears, insecurities and doubts are acutely heightened right now. If we are to succeed in motivating them and reigniting their fires of passion, we must instil hope and faith that their futures are worth living. We must prepare them for life not exams, we must reconstruct education to fit the bigger picture of life’s journey not simply the grades at the end of 12 years at school.
It is not just students who need support though, as previously mentioned, school staff are exhausted, confused and desperate for support and direction. Systemic pressures are increasing, and government opposition means morale in general is at an all-time low. Our highly acclaimed staff CPD programme, The Heart of Education seeks to reconnect staff with the reason they first came into teaching.
On many occasions, we hear ‘that was the best CPD ever’ because for three hours staff get the opportunity to reflect on teaching, their role, the incredible opportunity they have to positively influence the lives of their students. Our CPD programmes focus on purpose and basic human instincts and emotions. We talk about common sense; we talk about the importance of good relationships based on effective communication; we talk about empathy and compassion. Very few staff leave these sessions without feeling uplifted, inspired and a renewed sense of hope and purpose.
