Most administrators drive to school and don’t realise that this gives many chances for staying fit.  First, buy a fold-up bicycle, fold it up, and put it in your car (excellent stretching and reaching exercises).   

As you drive to work, watch out for people who have already unfolded their bikes and are passing you on the wrong side of the road, driving across red traffic lights and mounting the pavements and then using your car to kick off their next weave in and out of traffic.   At regular intervals hit the breaks firmly (reducing ankle fat), grip the wheel hard (loosening wrist tissue) shout vigorously at the cyclists (exercising vocal chords and getting the diaphragm going) and hit the horn (strengthening every muscle in the hand and arm). As you approach the school, park about half a mile away.  

Remove your fold-up bike from the car and attempt to put it together.   If you manage to do this, cycle to school, phone the manufacturer and tell them you are the first person ever to put a fold-up bike together.  If you fail, pick up the bits of the bike and throw them into the road with as much force as possible (thus exercising back and arm muscles, and raising your heart rate, which it is important to do each day). 

Slam the car door with vigour and walk to school; carrying your case, laptop, lunch and anything else you can think of (for muscle toning). On entering your office undertake a full review of all staff who are off work on maternity, paternity or study leave, or who are absent with nervous stress or are consulting their lawyers over health and safety in school issues.   This will re-stimulate your blood supply as you realise that once again you are the only person who turns up to work more than 3 days a week. Now relax into your chair in the knowledge that you have improved your health and fitness, while those around you have not.  

Then finally make a note to sign up for a course with the SEA that includes “dealing with stress”.  The final date for applying for the QCA validated one-year distance learning Certificate in Educational Administration course is May 6.  The two-month Work Management and Administration Course closes its next intake on 31 March.   Have a really jolly Easter, and thank you for reading.     

You can stay in touch with all matters relating to administration by joining our regular news group. Go to [1] http://www.schools.co.uk/subscribe.html  and click on the Administrator option.