Three principles lie at the heart of Longwood Primary Academy and Nursery’s approach to staff development and wellbeing: teach, rest and play. The school believes that teachers who find a happy balance between work and life outside school are the most productive and enthusiastic.

The “teach” strand includes giving staff high-quality opportunities for enhancing teaching and learning, a structured development programme and simplifying what is expected from teachers. The “rest” strand involves reducing workload and marking - in 2016-17 the school trialled a marking policy that has cut workload by 67 per cent. By restructuring the school timetable to add an extra 30 minutes on to the school day, teachers were given back 13 days’ holiday. 

Finally, the “play” strand is a staff wellbeing package that involves “star days” -  paid leave as a reward for high attendance and being great teachers. It also includes flexibility for employees to see their children’s plays, and events for team building ranging from barbecues to ping-pong nights. Longwood has created an outside staff room to ensure that all employees get access to plenty of fresh air in a place where they can relax, and it provides free healthy breakfasts and lunches. As a result of Longwood’s approach, no member of staff left in 2017 and no one is planning to leave in 2018.

The lead judge commented: “The judges highly rated Longwood Primary Academy and Nursery’s commitment to ‘teach, rest, play’ at the centre of its approach to being an employer. Without a doubt, there is a dedication to supporting and developing professionals but also to caring for individuals’ welfare.”

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