The Supervision Question

Why does my school need supervision?

In my experience, when you talk to many teachers or leaders in schools they either have no idea what supervision is - or seem to feel that it is another way for the headteacher to spy on them! The other view is that they think that it is some kind of therapy and they will have to reveal their inner most dark thoughts and cry for an hour!

Firstly, supervision is not therapy and shouldn't become therapy. Secondly, supervision is confidential - so the headteacher doesn't find out your deepest, darkest thoughts! And if you are the headteacher - the staff don't find out yours either! So what is it?

The dictionary definition - and most people's interpretation of supervision is:

Supervision is the act of overseeing, directing, and managing people, processes, or activities. It ensures tasks are completed correctly, safely, and efficiently.

Hence, the word itself can instill fear in the hearts of anyone who may be told that they are going to have supervision. However, educational supervision does not mean this.

The very best explanation I have come across for defining supervision is from Hollie Edwards (Author of Reflective Supervision in Education 2023). She explains that the explanation is in the word itself so, to understand it, you need to break the word up into its parts; super + vision - meaning the ability to see more clearly.

Supervision in schools is therefore about providing a safe and confidential space where the supervisor coaches one person, or a small group of staff, who have an opportunity to reflect on safeguarding, along with any other situation or circumstance that they choose to consider. This is to help them to see more clearly, to identify directions or actions that they want or need to take, and enable them to provide more effective safeguarding for pupils. It also serves to support a better understanding of the work they do and themselves within that role.

UK government guidelines mandate that Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) staff who have contact with children and families must receive regular supervision. This statutory framework requires supervision meetings to support staff, foster teamwork, continuously improve practice and ensure safeguarding concerns are addressed. These guidelines also highly recommended that school leaders participate in external supervision. This is so that they have the reflective space to manage the heavy emotional toll of their roles, prevent burnout and improve decision-making.

So why does your school need supervision? 

Supervision ultimately improves teaching standards, ensures student safety and protects staff from burnout. By providing educators with structured support, targeted professional development and a reflective space to process the intense emotional demands of the job, schools are supporting well-being. This ultimately has the knock on effect of improving school life for pupils.