T6. Be Wonderful to Work With toolkit
Toolkit
Being wonderful to work with means creating a positive and deliberate experience for colleagues throughout the year. This is not about grand gestures or artificial niceties, but about intentional, thoughtful actions that make people feel valued, supported, and part of something special. Effective leaders design these moments so that appreciation becomes embedded in the rhythm of school life.
| First Impressions |
| How do you make new staff feel genuinely welcomed? Consider what happens before they arrive, on interview day, and on their first day in school. Could you send a handwritten note or a short video message before they start? How could you make induction day feel personal and memorable, helping new colleagues to feel part of the team immediately? |
| Starting Well |
| How do you ensure that the first few weeks set the tone for belonging and trust? Think about how you check in with new colleagues, introduce them to others, and create space for them to feel comfortable asking for help. Could you pair them with a buddy, invite them to lunch, or take time for an informal catch-up to see how things are going? |
| Maintaining Momentum |
| Once the term begins, how do you sustain those positive connections with all staff? Reflect on how you use meetings, briefings, and informal moments around the school to express appreciation and encouragement. Could you build a rhythm of recognition, for example, sending personal thank-yous after busy periods or highlighting unsung contributions in staff briefings? |
| Celebrating Together |
| What are the moments in the year when you can lift spirits and celebrate as a community? Think about staff birthdays, milestones, or collective achievements that can be marked in meaningful ways. Could you organise a breakfast at the end of a challenging term, a Christmas message that feels genuine, or a handwritten card acknowledging a specific success? |
| Sustaining a Culture of Kindness |
| How do you model the tone you want others to adopt? Reflect on how you communicate under pressure, the example you set in treating support staff colleagues, and how you respond when things go wrong. Consider small, consistent gestures: greeting colleagues by name, being visible and approachable, and showing appreciation for everyday acts that keep the school running smoothly. |
| Reflection Prompts |
| Do I intentionally design moments that make others feel valued, or do I leave this to chance? How consistent am I in how I show appreciation across the year? Which groups of staff might feel less seen, and how can I ensure they feel equally valued? What could I do tomorrow that would make someone’s day a little better? |
T6. Be Wonderful to Work With: example toolkit
Role: Head of Year
| First Impressions |
| I will personally welcome new tutors before the term, send a warm email with a photo of the office and top tips, and leave a small welcome pack and handwritten note on day one. |
| Starting Well |
| I will pair each new tutor with an experienced colleague for weekly ten-minute mentoring. I will visit tutor rooms in the first fortnight to offer encouragement and host a brief Friday coffee to build connections. |
| Maintaining Momentum |
| I will open Monday briefings with a thank you spotlight, maintain a digital small wins board, and send end-of-week voice notes of appreciation after busy periods. |
| Celebrating Together |
| At half-term, I will host a short breakfast celebration with highlights and unsung hero nominations. Before Christmas, I will write individual cards recognising specific contributions. |
| Sustaining a Culture of Kindness |
| I will model calm and kindness, thank colleagues often, address mistakes privately with empathy, and run a pass-it-on kindness note each week. |
| Intended Impact |
| Deliberate design of the staff experience will build belonging, appreciation, and willingness to go the extra mile, which will ripple into how staff treat students. |