22 APRIL 2025
In this article, Matthew Mountford, our Capability Development Coach, shares practical advice and top tips for creating an inspiration environment in your school.
Having worked in a Witherslack Group school for three years, I have been privy to the amazing work of staff and been privileged to be part of young people’s journeys as they navigate education, friendships and their highs and lows, as they develop and progress through their time in our settings. When thinking about an 'inspirational environment', here's my top tips on things to consider.
Person centred approach
Our young people are more likely to thrive if an environment is created with their needs at the forefront. This means treating every young person as an individual and taking into consideration their differences and needs. Whether this is how we communicate, amendments to the physical environment, or differentiated work, this holistic approach will boost self-concept and encourage personalised opportunities for development and evoke happiness within attempting activities and tasks. Get to know your pupils; find out their likes and dislikes and be adaptable to meet their needs. This will create an environment where all your pupils can believe they can achieve success, whether that academically or in their social and emotional development.
Relationships
Consider the journey your young people have been on, and the difficulties they may have faced. Your relationship with them are paramount to creating an environment in which they can thrive. Interacting positively and supporting their individual needs for communication are the keys to success. This can also help develop social skills and role model how to interact with other classmates and pupils at the school. We have a unique opportunity to work with young people that may have had experiences very different from our own, and finding a connection and supporting their growth is inspirational for all involved.
Be consistent in your approach
Consistency is key, and helps our young people to feel safe. Whether this is creating predictable routines, or offering unconditional support, our young people will benefit hugely from having similar experiences frequently. Being consistent with our boundaries reduces the likelihood of our young people becoming confused or frustrating with changing goalposts and mixed messages. This can then provide the foundation to develop opportunities for learning and offer them a platform to achieve.
Offer choice where possible
Involving our young people in deciding how they spend their time, the activities they undertake, and the support we offer, has great benefit to letting them develop and express their needs. This can range from a choice of activity, to who offers support they may require, and can help develop coping skills from tasks that might seem difficult and demanding. Choice also means they are more likely to engage and take ownership of a task or activity, and our support can help build resilience and inspire them to achieve things they may have never imagined.
Inspiring young people starts with you
Offering a person-centred approach, building relationships, creating predictably, being consistent and offering opportunities for choice, is the responsibility of us all. As staff, we all have the opportunity to inspire our young people, through our different experiences and our diversity. One thing I learnt through my time at the school, is that the staff play a huge role in creating an environment that is inspirational. Whether that is your empathetic nature, your fun personality or your passion for what you do, you can make an impact on our young people and our settings.