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To take a 'downwards step' for a better school?

12 replies

Toleaveornot101 · 11/05/2017 21:09

Hi, NC as fairly identifying.
About 2 months ago I applied for a job in a lovely school not far from where I currently work. The school I'm in is going through quite a difficult time e.g. Behaviour problems, continuous re-inspections and outside agencies all over our school/department, scrutinising results, teaching etc. there is immense pressure on all of us.
I applied for the other job, even though it would mean losing my current TLR and taking a £3000 pay cut, because I just wanted less pressure.
However, since then, our school is beginning to 'turn the corner' and even though it's still stressful, we are pulling together well.
Today I received a phone call from the lovely school that I applied to saying they had shortlisted me for interview (a bit late, I know) and now I am wondering what to do.
Things seem to be getting better at the school I'm in but the other school has an excellent reputation (my sister's children attend so I know it well). The behaviour issues that make our school such a difficult place to be in ag the moment do not exist there.

I guess I'm asking, what would you do? Stick it out in a potentially improving school but face continuous pressure or go for the job in the nicer school , less pressure, but take quite a significant pay cut?

Of course, all of this is dependent on whether I get the job. I just want to know if it's worth even going for the interview before pissing off my boss by looking like I want to leave.

Advice greatly appreciated!

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toomuchicecream · 11/05/2017 21:33

Journey time? That's an important factor? How career oriented are you? What opportunities for progression are there in each job?

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ILikeBeansWithKetchup · 11/05/2017 21:37

A note of warning : don't assume a 'nicer' school is any easier to teach in! Different issues, sure. But still issues.

I work in an outstanding school - the pressure of expectation here is huge and the parents can be a nightmare (and believe me the kids can be absolute shits). The other school may be a bit easier by the sounds of what you are enduring but not necessarily £3000 a year easier. I guess it depends on how much you need or want money and how much your career means to you.

The grass isn't always greener.

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Toleaveornot101 · 11/05/2017 22:35

Thanks, I did think about that Ketchup. I do think that the pressures will be very different.

Icecream the journey time is about the same- I'm not really sure about chances of progression in the nicer school but I will be starting back as a basic classroom teacher. Although I don't think I will have any opportunity to progress where I am now in my current school. Young HOD and Second who are both likely to stay long term.

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cricketballs · 14/05/2017 06:44

I did this a few years ago - but the school I left was being taken over by another school and I just had 'a feeling' that the pressures were going to be ramped up massively. I took on a role with no TLR at a better school and have since been promoted with a higher TLR than my original.

It since turns out I was right about my feeling Sad

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cricketballs · 14/05/2017 06:46

My TLR is in a different area than I was before (HoY previously now HoD)

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YokoReturns · 14/05/2017 06:48

I just took a big pay cut upon returning from my second mat leave (I gave up Head of Department role). It is LOVELY just going in and teaching, and I've been picking DS1 up from preschool some afternoons, which is great.

I would choose the lovely school every time.

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Mrscog · 14/05/2017 06:52

Does it help to view the pay cut in real terms - in take home its £150 per month. Does that feel worth it or not?

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QueenieGoldstein · 14/05/2017 07:18

I did this although in a slightly different way. I moved sectors (middle to primary) and with it went back to being a class teacher. It was the best decision I've ever made, being in a supportive school makes a huge difference to how you feel about teaching and there are always going to be different growth opportunities arising as schools change or staff move on.

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ChangingStates · 14/05/2017 07:18

I work in a school in a challenging area with many vulnerable families and children who have hard lives and some with poor behaviour. I've been here through all the hard times (serious weaknesses) and we're now on the up & up. It is so rewarding being a part of that journey and to really feel the difference you make- particularly at TLR level where you have even more of a role in the development of the school or your department. Although kids everywhere need great teachers ones in schools in areas like mine really need the leg up in life that we give them as they have few of the advantages in life that those in other more affluent areas are likely to have. So yes it can be hard and sometimes overwhelming but ultimately the job satisfaction is high.

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QueenieGoldstein · 14/05/2017 07:21

I should add that I went from an (on paper) affluent "good" school to a school in a disadvantaged area (also the area I live in). I'd still choose my current workplace over any other as the school is a wonderfully supportive environment despite the disadvantages our pupils face.

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YoniFucker · 14/05/2017 09:45

Did they give any explanation of the length of time between your application and the shortlisting? If it was me, I'd want to know 'the story' behind that before going forward with an interview (it might give you some clues before 'pissing off' your boss)

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Toleaveornot101 · 14/05/2017 10:57

I have since found out that the nice school took so long because they had someone in mind for the job but kept messing her around/ not officially offering her a contract so she found a job somewhere else on Wednesday and on Thursday they phoned saying I'd been shortlisted.
Thanks for your advice so far. Still thinking it through.

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