I started a promoted post in November 2020 as a ASN (additional support needs) principal teacher. It was a new post for me in a new, big and busy secondary school, and I had started pretty much at the time when the school was preparing for its prelims.
This meant it was really busy, and getting to know the pupils, staff and systems was near impossible. We then had the Christmas break and learned that schools in Scotland would not be reopening for most pupils in January as a second lockdown was announced.
Here are my tips on how I navigated the challenges of starting a new promoted post in lockdown - and learned lessons that will be useful throughout my career.
1 Ask, ask, ask
I was constantly asking colleagues questions, even if it was a small thing. It’s always better to ask something you’re not sure of than to guess and get it wrong. I found that, during lockdown, a physical “chap at the door” was replaced with a quick Google Meet or phone call when I was working from home. This also helps build relationships with colleagues, as you have moments when you discuss other matters and you can start to form friendships.
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2. Look at the data
Data might not be exciting but it does help you look at patterns and see where help is needed in certain subject areas. Looking at the data allowed me to see virtually who was needing support, and meant I could put that in place even when they were working from home. This also allowed me to speak to certain parents - building a relationship with parents is an important part of the job.
3. WhatsApp Groups
Having never been a huge fan of WhatsApp groups for work I found myself making one for my team, and it was invaluable at a time where we weren’t all in school: I could communicate quick, short messages without having everyone online for a meeting. It really was a huge factor in keeping the department running smoothly.
4. Be honest
If there was something I didn’t know and someone had asked me, I just said that I’d need to find out and get back to them. People understood that this was a new job for me at a difficult time, and I think they appreciate it when you take the time to find out the right answer rather than bluffing or guessing.
5. Responsive planning
If in doubt, plan - but plan with a view to changing if needs be. Given the new circumstances of the pandemic, at times I found myself realising that apparently well-thought-out plans would need to be changed. It was a useful lesson to learn for times after Covid: being responsive to changing needs is an important aspect of any department in a school.
I wouldn’t particularly advise starting a new promoted post in the middle of a pandemic, as nothing about it is normal, but having done it and survived I now feel ready for the challenge of the new school year - and I’m really looking forward to what lies ahead.
Adam Black is a teacher in Scotland and, in the 2019 New Year’s Honours list, received the British Empire Medal for services to raising awareness of stammering. He tweets @adam_black23
