Passed over for TLR - annoyed, feel mislead and down.

[CatKisser]

My subject is a core subject and has been in decline for the past year. Since September I've worked with this brilliant adviser and put a lot of things in place to get us back on track. Everyone's feeling a lot more positive, assessment is becoming more accurate and I feel we're moving forward. We are a small, rural school and some aspects of our practice have been rooted firmly in the past. A couple of teachers have been there over 20 years.

There is a TLR being offered. It is one that was given up by a long standing teacher because she just wanted to do her last few years before retirement without the pressure. The new Head all but said it was mine if I applied, foolish of me to think that might be true, I know. The official advert has now gone up. I mentioned this to the long standing teacher and she said "oh yes, I've been asked to take it back up." She's not the type to be dishonest.

I just feel very mislead. I'm sorry I only start miserable threads on here. I hate working in a chaotic, arse-covering, dishonest, unhappy school, but there are no jobs at the moment.

[PenelopePitstops]

Core subject but no jobs, where are you located?

Gutted for you, have an open conversation about why you weren't given it.

I'm unsure if you have already applied or whether the advert has gone up regardless. If the latter, apply.

[Maidupmum]

She's bullshitting . If you don't apply then the job is hers. Apply for the job & get it or don't get it with dignity... I bet you get it!

[CatKisser]

So sorry, my lift arrived for pub quiz!

I didn't explain well in OP - I'm Primary, not Secondary. I'm NE but there really are no jobs and probably won't be until after Christmas. I'm intending sending an email (pleasant!) to my Head saying Dear X, Could you let me know whether it's worth my while writing an application form for X TLR....etc.

To clarify, I haven't applied - I understood that if one person wanted it there was no need for an application, but if more than one wanted it, there had to be an official process.

Maid although I don't think she's bullshitting, I'm extremely tempted to apply with a cracking letter and make her raise her game. Maybe she won't.

[PenelopePitstops]

In that case, apply apply apply!

[CrumpleHornedSnorkack]

Apply, you've got nothing to lose and everything to gain

[CatKisser]

Thanks. I'm going to apply. I went to bed livid and I've woken up livid. Not just about that but things that are happening in school all round. The raise online data was crap so Head has gone into panic mode and said we all have to do an assessment week next week (SECOND) week of term. Much, much more. Feel like the slightest thing will set me off today.

[BranchingOut]

I do sympathise with feelings of frustration but think that your HT has done the right thing in advertising it officially, so you should go ahead and apply. You are clearly well qualified for the post, but it she had just given it to you it would have been 'on the nod' rather than clear and transparent. That would have been fine for you, but not so good for anyone else who might also be interested in progression.

I have been on the other side of the coin - desperate to get on and be promoted, but seeing TLR and even leadership responsibilities handed out in a less than transparent way. In the end I left the school and was on SLT elsewhere within two years. :)

[CatKisser]

Thanks BranchingOut and others.

I decided to email the Head, basically saying I'm interested in the role and should I apply. He rang me yesterday and he said that of course, should I apply, I'll be treated exactly the same as the other candidate. However, I should be aware that the governors very much regard Mrs X as a leader already as she's been there twenty years or so. Also, how would I cope having to direct her if she opposed being directed by me!

So, I said "essentially what you're saying is there's no possible way I can advance in this school" and he dithered a bit then admitted there's probably not. I know he rates me as he graded me Outstanding and has praised my subject leader work and INSETs to the hilt. But he suggested I get this year out the way and apply to a big Primary where there's more possibility of progression.

I'm so angry though. Any enthusiastic, ambitious, hard working newer teachers are going to leave our school in a shot because of the two long standers who refuse change.

I've written a cracking application though - Even if I have no chance, I'm going to make them consider me seriously.

[peasoup15]

How did you get on?

[rollonthesummer]

Why did she give the subject lead up, only to take it straight back up again!?

[FrancesNiadova]

Every 3 years, TLR s come to an end & need to be reviewed. I'd like to bet that the head & school improvement partner have had a yippee moment, re-advertising a tweaked spec TLR to move the school on, (coz they want you op).
Mrs, "I've been in the same classroom teaching the same curriculum to the same year group for 20 years," will have been onto her bestest friend(s) on the Governing Body, who will be directing on the head. If the GB tell the head that they want him to do something, then he has to do it.
I bet he's as p'd off as you are op!

[TendonQueen]

Always apply for stuff like this, make them turn you down. Things still may not change, but they definitely won't if you don't apply.

[CtrlAltDelicious]

I noticed someone resurrected this thread - I was the OP under an old user name. Just to update, I decided to apply for an SLT role at a large primary in the city near me with a good TLR and 50% teaching commitment...and I got the job! The last couple of months at work were very stained but I'm on easter hols now and can't wait to begin new role.

I had a lengthy exit interview with the head where I spoke very frankly about the direction the school's going in so I'm glad to have got that off my chest. I just feel angry that a great little school is being so badly let down by its leaders.

[CtrlAltDelicious]

And Frances, you've described the situation perfectly! That is actually accurate.