Inadequate. What next?

[NewReality18]

I've name changed for this.
Called in for lesson observation feedback after school yesterday. Told my lesson was inadequate and along with some other findings I'm pretty much inadequate across the board, not just this one lesson. I was expecting a requires improvement. Not been at my best recently but really trying to do everything expected.
I have been offered an improvement plan. And accepted as the alternative was beginning formal dismissal procedures. Too late to contact union last night and I needed to cry.
What happens next? Any lovely wise mumsnetters with advice?

[cricketballs3]

You need to contact your union first thing Monday morning.

When you were called into the meeting were you given the chance to take in your rep? They shouldn't have forced you into accepting any plan (are you in a school academy with money issues?)

[NewReality18]

No invitation to bring rep or suggestion that my feedback would be given by 3 members of SLT.
Yes to parenthesis.
Will contact them Monday.
Thanks.

[ThisIsNotARealAvo]

Call in your rep. Think about leaving as if you go on capability I think the head is required to mention it in any future references. If they are that unhappy with your work you may find they will release you from your contract. Then look for a more supportive school! Especially if you are in London, there are vacancies everywhere.

[ThisIsNotARealAvo]

Also what do you mean by "other findings?"

[TheFallenMadonna]

Is this formal capability, or "informal" support?

[moofeatures]

I'm not wise, (but I like to think I'm lovely) and I hope you're able to move on, one way or the other

[NewReality18]

They were very vague. Sorry, @ThisIsNotARealAvo there was a lot to take in. And I have some gaps in my memory. I don't think my marking was detailed enough.

[Piggywaspushed]

Did you sign anything OP?

[ellaV]

Start working through your improvement plan bit by bit? I'm sure it will look daunting, but you have to get through this if you want to keep your job.
Bring in all the union reps you like... it's that improvement plan you need to start actioning and signing off to prove yourself to the school.
Speak to another teacher friend and ask for practical help, not advice on calling the Unions

[NewReality18]

I think it's a semi formal support plan @TheFallenMadonna but the implication was that if I don't make the grade they'll go down the capability route.
Thanks @moofeatures. I'm sure you are wise! I can't afford to just leave (single parent not living in London or another large city. DC with a friend today to give me some mental space). But I am starting to think that a change would probably be best.

[Piggywaspushed]

Wow, ella are you SLT??

A union is required to a) discuss with the school unannounced improvement plans with bullying tactic and no opportunity for OP to be accompanied and b) to look over the 'improvement plan' and see if it is reasonable and c) to challenge anything unfair or unreasonable.

I imagine another teacher friend would advise OP to contact her union! As well as making her a cup of tea.

[NewReality18]

No, I didn't sign anything @Piggywaspushed. I would have asked for union representation if they had asked.
I haven't had the plan yet @ellaV. I need the union involved to make sure it is fair and achievable. I have seen a few teachers "disappear" after following this type of plan. So I'm anxious about being set up to fail.

[NewReality18]

Lol @Piggywaspushed ! My teacher friend picked up the DC from after-school club and force fed me kit kats and told me to contact union! Excellent advice!

[MaisyPops]

You wouldn't have needed a union rep for lesson feedback, even if it was 4s across the board.

The discussion of any support plan or formal capability should have been had as a separate meeting with the option for a union rep attending.

What the informal support looks like will depend on the school. I've been asked to coach colleagues before and it's been done with really good intentions and the central principle is that what is discussed in coaching is between coach and coachee unless there's a safeguarding issue. It relies on that as a non-negotiable so frabk discussions and reflections can happen without it going to SLT. SLT select staff to coach who are strong teachers who are trustworthy.

I've also seen people get plagued with informal drop ins, pupils quizzed about staff, books randomly scrutinised, impromptu meetings without reps and people vanishing.

Only once you know more can you start to judge which camp it's in.

[Piggywaspushed]

I do wish schools would stop grading lessons : this runs counter to union and Ofsted recommendation. Sigh.

[Roseandharry]

Yes I did think schools were no longer allowed to grade lessons, for a good few years

[Piggywaspushed]

Oh no, it is definitely still allowed! Reasonable and confident schools (in the minority!) have dropped it.

[NewReality18]

That's what I thought @MaisyPops. I wasn't expecting a "hooray, you're fantastic" feedback session. But I got almost no feedback on my lesson and basically told "there is no place for inadequate teachers in my school". It wasn't a feedback session. They missed that section out and went straight to the scary stuff!
@Piggywaspushed and @Roseandharry - you're right, in a way I walked into a trap, I think! I went for feedback. They were there to tell me that my teaching over time was inadequate.

[MaisyPops]

In which case OP, I'm sorry to say I don't think you're going to get the supportive, confidential and positive coaching that's been on offer at some of the schools I've worked in

This sounds quite toxic and like you need to start getting your ducks in a row. Seek union advice, I would imagine what is about to happen is they'll place you on some variety of informal capability in thr hope that you'll take the hint and start job hunting before they push you. They'll be relying on thr fact it's better to jump before being pushed.
Sorry you're in this situation. It's a horrible way to treat staff.

[PotteringAlong]

Don’t kid yourself that ofsted don’t grade lessons. For ours, the inspectors just phrased it “we’re not allowed to grade the lessons, but if we did you would get a...”

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Was this the first indication they've given you that there are concerns? It sounds a hideous over-reaction to one observation. Agree with PPs that contacting the union would be a good idea, as if this is their reaction to one observation, it seems they are looking to scare you/rush into a 'support plan' in order to create a paper trail of 'inadequacy'. It sounds absolutely horrible.

Do you have a colleague you trust, who could attend any meetings with you and/or go through lesson plans with you?

[NewReality18]

Yes @MaisyPops. If I thought for one second that this semi formal improvement plan was meant to help me, I'd be behind it 100%. I'd love to be a great teacher! I'd love to know how to prove that I'm doing everything possible to help my pupils make the best progress. But I feel like there's a little guide book that only the favoured few are allowed to see. The rest of us just have to guess.
From what I know from other colleagues it's more a chance for them to demonstrate that they have done everything possible and I'll still be inadequate.
Sorry. I keep saying the word INADEQUATE. I have to keep saying it. Because he called me it. Not my teaching. ME. And I am many things in my day to day life, i am caring and kind and funny and grumpy and sarcastic and empathetic and considerate. As a person I am not inadequate, even if he thinks so.

[NewReality18]

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie My own theory is that they have created their own paper trail of how "inadequate" I am already without telling me. It's obviously unethical but I don't know how much that "evidence" will count for. I think (and I'm not paranoid, honest!) that they have been document my every move for a while. I'm older and pricey to pay.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Please call the union, first thing on Monday.

[NewReality18]

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie I will definitely call my union on Monday. Ironically, my planning has always been graded as outstanding. And while there are boxes you can forget to tick after 10 years I don't think being able to plan is one of them! Still, i will ask for a second opinion :-)
I'll insist on school based rep for any further meetings.