October - Creating Safe Spaces: Why Psychological Safety is a Game-Changer for Schools

At Motional, we frequently mention the concept of safety and psychological safety. We should clarify what these terms mean and why they are important.

Firstly, let’s consider the class a team - a group with shared objectives! This may be something we want to discuss and be specific about, as it fosters a sense of unity and purpose across the class.

Psychological safety is the belief that your team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking!

Interpersonal risk-taking involves open communication, voicing concerns, asking questions, and seeking feedback without fear of judgment.

A powerful way of describing this is:

Enabling individuals to be their authentic selves!

In the Classroom

This means creating an environment where both students and staff feel valued, supported, and free to speak up without fear of judgement or failure. Emotionally and academically, this is a game-changer.

We all want our pupils to feel happy, confident and engaged. But to get the best out of them, we need to create a classroom where they feel secure enough to take risks, make mistakes, and be themselves. Consider these five fundamentals:

1. Everyone Belongs: Belonging is the true opposite of exclusion. Schools should be places where every child feels like they fit in, regardless of background, ability, or personality. Promoting inclusion, tackling bullying head-on, and celebrating differences create a stronger, more compassionate school culture.
2. Freedom to Express Themselves: Students should feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and emotions without worrying about being laughed at or criticised. A classroom that welcomes all opinions and ideas creates more engaged, thoughtful learners.
3. Mistakes are Part of Learning: We’ve all heard it before – mistakes are how we learn. However, for students to really believe this, they need to be in an environment where taking risks is encouraged. Whether it’s attempting a tricky maths problem or offering a different point of view, a psychologically safe classroom says, “Give it a go – it’s okay if you don’t get it right the first time!” Model this - we have to feel able to make mistakes too!
4. Building Positive Relationships: Children thrive when they feel supported by their teachers. By showing them empathy, listening to their concerns, and building trust, we create a safe space where they’re more likely to participate and take ownership of their learning.
5. Prioritising Well-Being: Psychological safety goes hand-in-hand with mental health. By promoting emotional well-being and reducing the stigma around mental health, we’re not just helping students academically – we’re helping them grow into emotionally resilient individuals.

In the Staffroom

It’s not just students who need to feel safe – staff do, too. Schools that prioritise psychological safety for their teachers create a more positive and productive atmosphere for everyone. After all, when teachers feel supported, everyone benefits. Here’s what that looks like:

1. Open Dialogue: Teachers need to feel they can voice concerns, share ideas, and admit mistakes without fear of being criticised or sidelined. Open communication encourages collaboration and ensures that everyone feels heard and valued. Approach every conversation as a learning experience. You learn more from being wrong. Make sure to balance curiosity with interrogation: curiosity builds knowledge, while interrogation builds barriers.
2. Supportive Leadership: A big part of psychological safety for staff comes from the top. When school leaders listen to teachers’ feedback and show that they value their input, it creates a culture of trust. Feeling trusted empowers staff to try new things, innovate, and grow without worrying about failure.
3. Collaboration, Not Competition: No one thrives in an environment where they feel like they’re constantly being judged or compared to their colleagues. A psychologically safe school encourages collaboration and mutual support, so staff can work together to solve problems and improve the learning experience for students. It also allows then to have the freedom and security to try new things and make mistakes!
4. Encouraging Professional Growth: Schools that support psychological safety show their staff they are interested and encourage staff to step out of their comfort zones and experiment with new teaching strategies. When teachers know it’s okay to try something new and not get it perfect the first time, it leads to more creativity in the classroom.
5. Staff Well-Being Matters Too: Just like students, staff need support with their mental health. Schools that provide access to resources like counselling, mindfulness sessions, and flexible working arrangements help teachers manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

So, why does psychological safety matter?

It’s simple – it creates happier, more engaged students and staff. When students feel safe, they’re more likely to speak up, get involved, and grow in confidence. And when teachers feel safe, they’re more likely to collaborate, innovate, and enjoy their work.

For students, psychological safety leads to better academic outcomes, higher self-esteem, and stronger social connections.

For staff, it means greater job satisfaction, less burnout, and a more supportive and positive working environment.

The Bottom Line

Psychological safety isn’t just a buzzword – it’s the foundation for creating schools where students and staff alike can truly thrive. By building a culture of trust, openness, and support, we create spaces where everyone feels safe to be themselves, take risks, and grow without fear. And when that happens, the entire school community benefits.