L5. Stack the Chairs toolkit
Toolkit
Stacking the chairs is about choosing to step in and do the small, practical things that keep the school running smoothly. These acts are not about status but about culture. When leaders roll up their sleeves, they show that no task is beneath them, and that leadership is about service and contribution. This tool helps leaders notice where small acts of service can have the greatest impact, while balancing this with clear delegation so they do not inadvertently take on responsibilities that belong elsewhere.
| Practical Acts of Service |
| What small actions have I taken this week to help keep the school running? Record acts such as stepping in at a transition, helping with resources, or supporting staff or students in the moment. Focus on actions that remove friction or make others feel valued. |
| Who Benefited |
| Who gained from the act of service? Identify whether the benefit was for students, staff, or the wider school community. Noticing who is impacted helps you see whether your support is balanced and reaching those who need it most. |
| Signal to Culture |
| What message did this act send about our culture? Reflect on what others might have taken from your action, for example that no role is beneath anyone, that you care about student experience, or that teamwork is expected of everyone. |
| Opportunities Ahead |
| What needs can I anticipate in the coming week where stepping in will make a meaningful difference? Identify moments where your presence will smooth transitions, reduce stress, or strengthen relationships. |
| Reflection Prompts |
| Am I stepping in at the right moments, or am I unintentionally taking on tasks that should be delegated? How do my small acts of service shape the culture of responsibility and teamwork across the school? Am I modelling the balance between support and empowerment effectively? Do staff and students see these actions as signs of care and contribution, or are they beginning to expect me to solve problems that others should own? |
L5. Stack the Chairs: example toolkit
Role: Assistant Principal
| Practical Acts of Service |
| This week I helped the site team set up for the Year 11 parents’ evening by moving tables and stacking chairs in the hall. I also supported staff during morning duty on a particularly wet day, standing at the bus bay to help students get inside safely. On Friday, I carried equipment for a PE colleague who was managing two classes at once. These are small things, but they make a visible difference and show that I am part of the team, not apart from it. |
| Who Benefited |
| The immediate benefit was to staff who felt supported and appreciated, especially those juggling several responsibilities at once. Indirectly, students benefited too, as these small interventions kept things running smoothly and modelled teamwork in action. The site team, in particular, have commented that they feel more connected to the leadership group when we work alongside them rather than just directing from a distance. |
| Signal to Culture |
| These acts sent a message that leadership is about contribution, not hierarchy. When staff see leaders stepping in with humility and practicality, it reinforces the idea that everyone plays their part in creating the school we want. It also builds relational capital, as colleagues see that leaders understand the realities of their day-to-day challenges. |
| Opportunities Ahead |
| Next week, I will join the lunchtime duty rota in the canteen for two days to help maintain calm and build connections with the catering and pastoral teams. I also plan to help Year 8 tutors organise their corridor displays on Wednesday morning. Both are opportunities to show that we value shared responsibility and pride in our environment. I also have to ensure I focus on my own role! |
| Reflection Prompts |
| I have noticed how easy it is to overlook the power of small acts. Each one subtly shapes how people feel about working here. My challenge is to remain intentional about these contributions, ensuring they are supportive rather than substituting for someone else’s responsibility. True service means knowing when to help and when to empower others to act themselves. |