Would you take a job at a "requires improvement" school?

[Hasbrobeen]

Currently work part time but too far from where I live. A local school appears to be offering full & part time positions.....it's so close to where I live and to where DD will go to nursery, but it's last ofsted was "requires improvement". Should I apply? Grateful for people's thoughts / experiences! TIA.

[Hasbrobeen]

It's primary btw.

[GinaLinetti99]

I have and honestly, it was the best thing I ever did. The SLT were motivated and reasonable. They really wanted to develop teachers and leaders, so the opportunities were good.

Within 18 months, it was graded good and by the time I left it was graded outstanding.

Go and visit and get a feel for the school. I think your gut will tell you more than any ofsted report.

[Hasbrobeen]

Thanks Gina. You're right about the gut instinct thing.
Unfortunately I just rang and while the ad says full time / part time the jobs are just full time. 🙄

[YoohooDorothy]

Sorry to hear they're not offering part time. But to answer your question, yes I absolutely would go for a job at an RI school. Like pp, when i first started at the school, we breathed a sigh of relief just to avoid special measures and we're now outstanding. I do feel quite invested and attached to the school as a result though it's far from perfect as a workplace!

[Hasbrobeen]

Thanks both. Also congratulations to both your schools! What a wonderful achievement.

I might send my cv and covering letter anyway to see if anything comes up.

[realwoodlogs]

It depends on the school.

Mine is RI, but definitely shouldn’t be and recommend anyone to work there.

My previous school was ri, now good and I’d recommend never working there.the good judgement is a joke!

[Narkle]

I've had good and bad experiences. The trend is important. Previously RI/ always has been and trend downwards? Avoid like the plague, especially if it's still the same head/ leadership. An up-and-down business and general trend upwards? Go for it. Recent change in leadership? Mostly a good sign.

One thing to note is that RI schools are more desperate for staff and will have fewer applications, so are easier to get a job in. They're also easier to work in if you're interested in furthering your career. However, the kids are more likely to be used to staff leaving and may be harder to convince, especially at secondary level.

[MaisyPops]

It depends.
One RI school near me I wouldn't touch. It's been in abd out of special measures for years.

Others have good reputations, couple of poor results years etc. I'd happily work there.

[AndNoneForGretchenWieners]

I would recommend looking at the annual accounts returns, if it's an academy, for the cumulative carry forward for the last couple of years to see if it is managing financially. If reserves are depleting rapidly it could indicate poor governance oversight of the budget. Of course it isn't always the case and falling rolls can contribute if a school is RI because it struggles to attract pupils, but it can be relevant.

[rainbowfudgee]

It's probably easier starting a new job in a school in RI than undergoing Ofsted and getting RI in a school where you are established. If you get a new job everything changes anyway. The stress of new initiatives and monitoring and observations and learning walks and advisors etc etc when you thought you knew what was going on can be very unsettling and difficult.

[Mrstumbletap]

It wouldn't bother me at all.

[Rockandrollwithit]

Absolutely. It would completely depend on my impression of the school and the SLT when I visited.

[sakura06]

Agree with others that you should visit and see what it's like.