2. Meetings and the Deputy Principal
April 14th 2016

3. Purpose of the Session
To explore the range of meetings a Deputy Principal experiences in his/her role and consider how to make these as effective as possible

4. Discussion What types of meetings are you involved in?
Padlet Tinyurl.com

5. Range of meetings
Full staff meetings
Staff group meetings (e.g., Dept)
Individual meetings (student, teacher, other staff, parent)
Parent-Teacher meetings
Outside agencies
Other schools
Union meetings

6. Video clip
‘Meetings bloody meetings’

7. Discussion about formal whole- and part-staff meetings
Pre-meeting
Meeting
Post-meeting
Discuss in groups the three above and report back

8. Pre Meeting Meeting calendar Notice Agenda Meeting with Principal?
Meetings with other individuals?
Preparation reading?
Survey?
Previous meeting minutes?
Practicalities
Present slide after pre meeting feedback

9. Meeting Previous minutes and matters arising Norms and expectations
Timing
Minute-taking, and template?
Chairing strategies
Wrap-up and actions agreed
Next meeting - date, time, location

10. Post Meeting
Distribution and storage of minutes and relevant documents
Follow up on actions
Further individual meetings?

11. Discussion about one to one meetings
Pre-meeting
Meeting
Post-meeting
As before discuss the above three in groups

12. In advance of the meeting
Be prepared
– evidence
– information from other teachers
– previous correspondence
Break bad news in advance of the meeting
Plan to have some specific suggestions ready
Decide on a time-limit
Decide if you need to have a colleague present?
Plan your acceptable outcome(s).

13. During the meeting Listen
Use statements like “I care about your child”
Be honest and truthful
Seek parents' suggestions
Try to find common agreement on a way forward
Stand firmly by school policies, but admit mistakes when appropriate
Take notes of what was said and agreed
Always be respectful (and expect respect)

14. After the meeting Follow up:- Keep in touch Any referrals
Any actions agreed. Have you done yours?
Inform parents about any improvements

15. Reflection
Which of the following meeting types are you most comfortable with?
Staff Meetings
Meeting parents
Department meetings
Outside agencies
Meeting students
Rate your experience of the above
Lorcan to present results on mentimetre?

16. Think Pair Share What have been your experiences of meetings to date?
What strategies have you found to be successful?
What pitfalls should you avoid?
If we need an extra exercise this is good as it will involve a lot of discussion