It’s that time of year again! SATs results have recently been released, and headteachers across the country will be experiencing a complex mix of emotions. For many, this time of year brings with it not celebration, but sorrow, frustration, and deep reflection, especially when outcomes don’t meet national benchmarks.
For those who see the SATs as an inadequate measure of real learning or student potential, there is a growing dissonance between their values and the realities they are asked to comply with. They are tasked with administering tests they may not believe in, while bearing witness to the emotional toll these tests can take on pupils, staff, and indeed themselves.
Having been through this process myself and coached countless Heads in the aftermath, here are a few things that I have learnt about how to ride the often turbulent wave of emotions and still feel able to face another day.
1. Acknowledge What You’re Feeling
In the immediate aftermath of results day, it’s common to feel disappointment, guilt, anger, or even shame, especially if your school hasn’t hit national averages. These feelings often stem from working within a system that prizes performance above all else; one that is designed to pit schools against each other in a race for data-driven excellence. But these metrics don’t capture the full story. The don’t capture your story, your pupils’ journeys, or the deep care and commitment you bring to your role every day.
2. Understand Where These Emotions Come From
These emotional reactions are not weaknesses. They are natural responses to a system built on comparison and competition. When we operate in an environment that prioritises external validation, ego needs can be triggered. The system teaches us that our worth, both professionally and personally is determined by pupil outcomes. Yet, this narrow view overlooks what matters most: authentic growth, resilience, and humanity.
3. Seek Support That Nourishes, Not Judges
In moments like these, it’s only natural to seek out support. But the kind of support you choose matters deeply. Traditional forms of coaching in the education sector often focus on performance management or strategic planning. While these are important, they don’t always address the inner turmoil that can arise when personal values are at odds with systemic expectations. You deserve a space that is free of judgment, where you can express your true self and find clarity amidst the noise.
4. Consider Depth Coaching for True Alignment
At Integrity Coaching, we believe in a different kind of coaching, what we call “Depth Coaching”. Depth Coaching goes beyond goals and performance metrics. It offers space to explore meaning, identity, and emotional truth. It allows school leaders to reconnect with their values, heal from emotional fatigue, and rediscover a sense of inner strength and hope.
Unlike traditional coaching, which can sometimes reinforce the very systems that are causing distress, Depth Coaching seeks to create internal alignment. It’s not about becoming better at coping with a broken system. it’s about nurturing the parts of you that are crying out to be seen, heard, and supported.
5. Reclaim Your Vision for Education
You became a school leader because you believe in the power of education to transform lives. That belief is still within you, even if the weight of the system has caused it to dim. Through Depth Coaching, we help leaders remember their ‘why’, and we support them in reclaiming a vision for education that balances rigour with compassion, and excellence with humanity.
A passion for high standards should never come at the expense of hope, care, and emotional wellbeing. These values can and should coexist.
We are here to Listen and Support!
If you’re navigating the emotional aftermath of SATs results and are seeking a different kind of support, know that you’re not alone. Integrity Coaching is here to walk beside you—not just to talk strategy, but to help you heal, reflect, and thrive.
You deserve support that honours the whole of who you are. Depth Coaching may be the step that helps you lead and live with renewed clarity and confidence. To find out more Book a free discovery call with Hannah.
