Our Commitment to Staff Wellbeing

Good staff wellbeing is essential for cultivating a mentally healthy school, for retaining and motivating staff and for promoting pupil wellbeing and attainment. As a Catholic school it is especially important that our beliefs are reflected in our policies and practises, and the health and happiness of our staff body is an integral part of this.

We have a vision for the school in which staff work hard, spend a manageable amount of time on the activities that make a difference to pupil lives and do this in a positive working environment. To show our commitment to this vision the Headteacher has a specific staff wellbeing performance management target, a staff wellbeing SLT lead has been appointed, staff wellbeing is discussed at every governor meeting and we have a dedicated member of staff who can offer counselling services to our staff body should they need it (this person is also the supervision for safeguarding leads).

“As a new staff member, I can honestly say I have never felt so welcomed by all the staff regardless of their position (which is not the same as other schools). The staff are helpful, supportive and recognise the things you do well and pass this onto others (again this does not happen that often)”. Danielle Taylor - Learning Support Assistant

“As we are a relatively small community, even as a non-teacher I know many of our students. I am also able to participate in activities outside of my specified duties e.g. break and lunch duties, retreats, school trips, student choir, Lourdes, charity events etc. We have access to the school swimming pool and dance studio for personal use”. Annie Smith – Data Manager

I love that Cardinal Wiseman is such a close knit community. We support and care about each other and play to each other's strengths. I came back because that's not always able to be the case in bigger schools. We know everyone, we love everyone; it's a family. Amy Dennis – Second in RE

“I would say that the biggest difference since starting at Cardinal Wiseman is that I now have a much better work / life balance than before. In previous schools from 6.30am on Monday until 4pm on Friday it just all merged into a blob of time called ‘work’. Now I have the opportunity to do things with friends and family on e.g. a Tuesday night if appropriate. It's made a big difference”. Alex Lee, Lead Teacher of Maths

“The closeness of our community and the love and respect I see on a daily basis mean so much to me. The students obviously bring joy, seeing them develop and grow is a wonderful thing to be part of - knowing that each of us has a special role to play in their lives. I have been truly blessed with those I work most closely with. I thank God every-day for this. We support each other through good and bad times. I could not fault the respect and support that SLT have shown me whilst I have been here, this gives me the confidence and motivation to strive harder. I absolutely love any chance we get as a staff to get together - staff socials, awards evening, the school prom etc!” Sarah Scovell – Learning Support Assistant

I enjoy working at Cardinal Wiseman because it feels like we are all singing off the same hymn sheet. Consistency across the school means that behaviour is excellent and therefore, teachers are empowered and given the opportunity to teach high-quality lessons. Joseph Hanley – Subject Lead for English