Why is a teacher-first approach necessary in schools?

Student-focused approaches make sense in a very primal way. It can be hard to justify not focusing on them. We focus on children instinctually. Anyone who's been to a gathering where there were children present will know that it's nearly impossible to ignore their gravitational pull of attention. The same will still apply even if the students are adults, as customers and the reasons for the school's being, their concerns, attendance, and performance expand and push all considerations into the background.

Focusing solely on students makes sense in many ways. However, when this focus eclipses the needs and well-being of teachers, it becomes detrimental. After all, a school’s success depends on the people who nurture and guide students daily: the teachers. That’s why successful schools adopt a teacher-first approach, ensuring that their staff are supported, valued, and empowered to do their best work.

Teachers are what hold schools together. It's true that without students there wouldn't be a school, but without teachers, the school doesn't have a purpose. It's for that reason then that schools that are successful in the long-term put teachers first in their plans and operations.

This isn't just philisophical, the impact of teacher turnover on student performance is well documented. In 2022, TES reported that high rates of teacher turnover negatively affected student outcomes across the board. A study by Gibbons, Scrutinio, and Telhaj confirmed that teacher turnover disrupts academic attainment, further underscoring the need for stable, well-supported teaching staff. Moreover, UNESCO’s global report on teachers highlights the stark reality of teacher shortages worldwide and how they directly correlate with declining student outcomes.

Lest we think that this is only down to demography, pay, and status, there is the excellent report done by the Learning Policy Institute which states clearly: "private school teachers who left their schools reported less administrative support, lower satisfaction with salary, less control over classroom policies, and less input into school policies—the same issues raised by public school teachers."

As we explore these issues in the coming weeks, one thing is clear: successful school management begins with supporting teachers. From ensuring fair compensation and professional development to giving them a voice in decision-making, it’s the teachers who give your school its true purpose.

Make them your priority, and student success will follow.