Mark Unwin: Integrity

Hello,

I wanted us to think this week about our Trust value of ‘Integrity.’
 
This video offers a powerful perspective about how integrity and leadership intersect and how integrity is an important driver of excellence:
 
THE POWER OF INTEGRITY - Powerful Motivation Speech - Bing video
 
When we lead a school with integrity, we set an example of ethical and moral behaviour for both children and staff. If we are honest and transparent in decision-making and communication and treat everyone with fairness and respect, then we create a culture of integrity and also of aspiration (one of our other Trust values).
 
When we lead with integrity, it’s hugely important that we prioritise the well-being and success of the children and create a safe and inclusive learning environment. This means addressing any issues or conflicts in a responsible and solution-focused manner and making decisions that align with the school - and Trusts - mission and values. By embodying and promoting integrity, each of you fosters a positive and trustworthy school culture and sets the foundation for a successful educational experience for all our children.
 
When we defined ‘integrity’ as one of our values, we were inspired by the word Trust within our name. It is important that the staff we lead trust that we will act with integrity with them and with each other and that we will ensure that, in our interactions with them and each other and especially between them, there is a spirit of kindness.
 
One of the difficult things to balance as a leader is the drive for excellence and the desire to be kind. When we want to improve an aspect of school life, it is often necessary to address the underperformance of a person or a team and that can be difficult. However, if we go back to our common purpose – to create the best possible education for children from deprived areas of Birmingham - and we act with the integrity of “saying what we mean and meaning what we say” then people will respect the decisions we make – even when they are difficult to hear.
 
I have always believed that “our expectations of our schools are what we walk past, we accept”. I still believe that to be true. From the video, I might add that “our expectations of ourselves are what we do when nobody is watching.”
 
I hope you have a fantastic last week and a restful and very well deserved half term break.

Best regards                                                                                                                                           
Mark