DH not interested in head teacher job

[Galla]

He's a great teacher with lots of experience and I assumed this is where is is heading. A perfect head job has just been advertised. Right distance away, not too far, not too near to bump into any of them. Small school which looks ideal to start off with.
I excitedly emailed him the link when I saw the ad. He got home from work and said he'd think about it. Which was not promising. Then said today he's not interested but might be in a year or two. Jobs this ideal wouldn't come around that often in our area. I can't really understand his reasoning and they don't make any sense to me
He doesn't like the current school. He has no camaraderie with these colleagues unlike previous schools. The boss is weak. He enjoys teaching but the current class isn't his first choice.
He wants to be a head, but says he doesn't know enough of what's involved and wants more experience.
Sounds reasonable-ish but he has years of experience and its easy to find out what's involved.
I think he might have lost some confidence in his abilities as he has been drained this year with difficult assistants and a bigger than normal workload.
Aibu to try convincing him that this is a lost opportunity and that he is very capable?
I know I can't make him do anything he doesn't want too, but it's frustrating.

[Spottytop1]

Does he have a leadership role at the moment?

If he feels he is not ready then he is not ready.

[TheSkyAtNight]

Being a Head requires the hide of a rhino. If your heart isn't in it, I can't see how it would be possible.

[noblegiraffe]

Has he done the NPHQ? (Headship qualification)?

[TheoriginalLEM]

Are you Lady Macbeth??

[MooPointCowsOpinion]

I don't blame him. A head can lose their job in August with no notice just based on one year's test results. Screw that.

[badhotfanny]

Sorry but @LEM

[LostInMess]

There is a real crisis in HT recruitment at the moment as so many teachers do not wish to take on the role. It is so different to teaching and that may well be holding him back.

Teachers have my sympathy- I can totally understand why headship has lost its appeal.

[PurpleDaisies]

He wants to be a head, but says he doesn't know enough of what's involved and wants more experience

So he's absolutely right not to apply.

[Beelzebop]

I would not wish this job on my worst enemy. You will never see him you know. It's not worth the money (for him).

[LordRothermereBlackshirtCunt]

Are you Lady Macbeth??

[OlennasWimple]

Are you suggesting that he goes from being a really good class teacher straight to a head, without getting any leadership experience on the way?

[Yukbuck]

Oh gosh. I can see where you're coming from but really I would hate to feel that pressure. I went to uni to become a teacher and just don't feel like I could cope with it. Even when people say 'oh you would be great, you're great with children' well yes... I am great with children and I love my job working with children but there is so much more to teaching than just having experience with children. Likewise there is so much more to being a head teacher.

[PotteringAlong]

I think he might have lost some confidence in his abilities as he has been drained this year with difficult assistants and a bigger than normal workload.

He doesn't sound like ideal headship material from this statement to be honest.

[Leeds2]

Would it not be sensible to be a Deputy Head first? Or at least part of the senior management team.

He maybe doesn't want to give up the actual teaching role, to take on something which has far more paperwork and less interaction with the children.

[Strictly1]

Speaking as a Head he would be silly to enter the role unless his heart is in it. I love my job but it never ends and the head space it takes is frightening.
What experience does he have?

[hideehigh]

He doesn't feel ready so I'd drop it if I were you. You say he's a "teacher" does he have any TLR?
Has he even done his headship qualifications? It's not as simple as, ahhh think I'll apply for a headship today.
TBH you sound quite pushy....

[StealthPolarBear]

It is hard op I've had this sort of thing in the past with dh. Ultimately if he's going to hate it then it will be no good. Just have your own ambition instead :o

[BabyHamster]

Are you very ambitious in your own field? If so, I guess I can see why it would be difficult to understand your DH's position. Otherwise though I think it makes perfect sense!

[spanieleyes]

Small schools are a nightmare for a Head, many have teaching responsibilities ( if not a class they will do cover/interventions etc) whilst still managing all the paperwork of a Head ( only the number of children is smaller, the data returns are just as large!) and not having the Deputy/Assistants/SLT found in larger schools. Not a good place to start!

[Hugepeppapigfan]

Is he a deputy or assistant head at the moment? If not then really this is something he should be looking at as his next step instead of headship. Has be done NPQH?

[ImperialBlether]

Nobody gets to be a Headteacher just because they're a good classroom teacher!

[Char22thom]

Tbh, if he feels inexperienced and not ready then surely you should respect that. He may well decide that he doesn't ever want to be a head and imo that is fair enough and understandable. I left teaching 2 yrs ago after 12yrs in the job and 5yrs deputy head job, and DH supported me all the way. Listen to your DP and support his decision x

[RainbowsAndUnicorn]

His career, his choice not yours.

Most teachers don't go straight to headship as need to do senior management, deputy etc first.

[PigletWasPoohsFriend]

He wants to be a head, but says he doesn't know enough of what's involved and wants more experience

I think he might have lost some confidence in his abilities as he has been drained this year with difficult assistants and a bigger than normal workload.

Both these statements scream to me he isn't ready yet.

Not to mention that it isn't up to you.

[Cocklodger]

If he's not ready he's not ready.
Does he even have the relevant qualifications? Any HOD experience??