Professionalism once you've left a post.

[phlebasconsidered]

I am due to leave my post at Xmas. I will really miss my class, I'm leaving because of the academy trust, not them. I've been told not to say anything until letters have gone out and i'm fine with that.

I have two dilemmas really. The first is what to say when parents ask me why I am going. I'm going because the trust has reduced our resources to breaking point and has a truly awful attitude towards send and support. I know I'm going to have to wave it off but I really feel like I'm lying. Especially as some of the class would do well to move to a school the deals with SEND students well.

Which brings me to dilemma two. One student has specific needs and is very demanding. However, they are also wonderful, bright and funny. The executive head has in the past said to me in a meeting that "We want rid of students like that". I know that without me to fight his corner he will be in a terrible position, as the new teacher is a slt yes person and going for slt themselves. I really get on with the child's mum and have done all the SEND paperwork with her, and speak to her almost every other day. I desperately want to have a frank conversation with her but can I? I'm really worrying about it. I did wonder if I could contact her as a friend after I've left. My ds has the same condition and we can perhaps stay in touch.

I'm being silly aren't I? Or am I? I don't know!

[Trailedanderror]

You don't need to be professional. They're not employing you any more.
Practically though, what's the next step? Are you likely to be working locally, in similar schools?

[phlebasconsidered]

Yes, the next small town along ( village really). Probably some shared families and i recognised a fair few surnames on my new register when I met my new class. I'm very rural. I am going to one of the few schools that isn't part of the academy trust.

[Trailedanderror]

I'd tell. You've got another job lined up and although you shouldn't use the example of the sort of students they want that of unprofessionalism and sheer nastiness really should be challenged.

[littleducks]

Tricky....Any way of wording it as positive for your new school leaving them to draw their own conclusions about your current school:
"I'm going to xxxx a community school where they have a resouces/great support for children with SEN and I think I will benefit from that experience"

[phlebasconsidered]

That's what's bugging me. They're deliberately stalling on EHA and so on, cutting down to the bone on intervention. Apparently the school as a whole pre academisation "pandered to that group of pupils." I feel strongly that they are trying to force certain pupils to leave. Nothing is on paper, but their whole ethos shows it. I would whistleblow if I had paper evidence.

[phlebasconsidered]

Littleducks that's the sort of pointed remark I'd love to give in my speech in assembly! It might work to the parents too, Thank you.

[leccybill]

Good on you for getting out and taking a stand against abhorrent academy practices. If only we could all vote with our feet.
I'm leaving my academy at Christmas too. A few people locally have asked me what the school is like as they are thinking of sending their children there. My reply? "The children are lovely". Then big protracted silence. I can't spell it out while I still work there but once I'm safely gone, I'll spill. People need to know.

[Appuskidu]

I would be very careful what I said. Especially as I have seen several schools which are one of the few schools that isn't part of the academy trust that have quickly been gobbled up by an academy trust!

[phlebasconsidered]

Leccy, I know exactly what you mean.

Happy, I am certain that this one won't be. They've already been approached and turned it down, Thank goodness. There are 4 primaries holding out and their heads are all people i know and admire. I just thank goodness there are 4 odd schools that might still employ me!

[ChristinaParsons]

I don’t know if this helps. My eldest daughter has cerebral palsy. School refused to enter her for SATS as they were worried her score would affect their rating. I have a second child who is 7 years younger, very academic. She would have boosted their ratings. I withdrew her from the SATS. The school were not happy and threatened all kinds of vengeance. A few years later my second child has unconditional offers from 2 universities. On a course which has 30 places for 2000 applicants. A bad school can make a good pupil. A good school is only interested in results. Which is actually the best school?

[Popfan]

ChristinaParsons - when a child is disapplied from SATS this still counts towards the overall percentage. So I'd say you have this totally wrong and you have completely misjudged the school.

[Msqueen33]

Speaking as a mum of two children with Sen who is having a vile time with her school i would approach her as a friend and gently tell her to be mindful that the school don’t have a particularly good attitude to children with Sen.