Would you go from Good to RI for promotion?

[Chosennone]

Im weighing up the Pros & Cons. I'm currently middle management in a Good school. We are still a LA, with a trusting Head and a supportive SLT. I have a short commute to a fantastic building and a lot of friends here.
A leadership role has come up in a school a 50min drive away. Its RI and part of a small MAT. It does have a good reputation compared to schools in that area. New biilding and great facilities.
I do feel ready for a move up and a new challenge, but would a long commute and the reality of a RI school be a mistake.
My DH thinks if im happy its pointless and would just put more of a strain at home as he works long hours. DC are secondary age.
Any thoughts ?

[unicorncupcake]

No no no no I wouldn’t! I have a 40/50 min commute and it’s exhausting. So much wasted time every day, and such a pain. You also have a lovely head and a supportive SLT? Gold dust. I wouldn’t sacrifice any of those things.

[IceRebel]

Personally I wouldn't leave a LA school for a MAT.

Your current school sounds lovely, are there no chances for promotion or extra responsibilities where you are now?

[Chosennone]

Yes. I think the security of working in a LA school is not to be sniffed at. I can see how i'd get fed up of the commute too. I think there may be opportunities where I am, but not for a while. Staff turnover at my scgool is low and I guess thats for good reason.

[MrsElijahMikaelson1]

I wouldn’t-my friend has just done the same and it is a nightmare and she cries most days

[TheFifthKey]

Short commute, nice SLT, an LA school...I don’t think I’d leave that, it sounds like the holy grail of school teaching! You never really know what will happen in terms of opportunities opening up, too - it can all change in the space of a few months sometimes.

[Gellert]

LA is like gold dust, don't move to MAT unless you have to! Also with a good, supportive leadership team I would be staying put! MAT's seem to develop robotic LMT who have no consideration for either staff or children!

[Chosennone]

The grass definitely isn't greener is it. I don't know anyone who's haply teaching in a MAT.

[OxanaVorontsova]

I did, and would never do it again. Lack of trust, ridiculous accountability led me to quit teaching. Back to middle management now after a 4 year break, good school supportive slt sensible workload worth so much more than promotion.

[4point2fleet]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

As PP have said, a solid 'good' LA school where people are happy and you have friends is worth a huge amount.

I took a very senior job in an RI school- lasted 2 years in total and had to be signed off sick with stress within those 2 years. Never again.

Now I have a minor SLT post in a school just like the one you describe, and although I hear the voice in my head telling me I 'could do more', it would take wild horses to drag me out.

Why don't you wait for a more senior position in a school closer to you that is similar to your current school?

[juliej00ls]

No

[Wallabyone]

Don't do it!

[astuz]

A definite NO! from me too. Whether it's RI or not is irrelevant, it's giving up your short commute and supportive SLT that's the problem - as others have said, supportive SLT are like gold dust, and long commutes are awful. If you're happy where you are, just stay there!

[Chosennone]

I'm staying. Not even going to look anymore. Thanks

[QRCode]

I see you've decided, but I went from senior teacher in an outstanding school 10 mins walk from home to Deputy Head in a school in special measures over an hour and two trains away. I got a lot of reading done on the commute and loved the new school. It was a fantastic learning opportunity.

[Bestseller]

Being new in an RI school wouldn't be an issue for me, you can only improve whereas it's got to be maintained in a Good school.

I wouldn't take on a long commute though and I'd want to know the ins and outs of the MAT

[AnnieCat84]

I work in an RI school that is part of a MAT and I absolutely love it. I don't think either of those things are big issues at all. I know of plenty of LA run schools that are awful to work in!!
The commute is the only factor that would put me off.

[BrizzleMint]

It a hope, if you've got a trusting head and supportive Slt then you'd be daft to move.

[Foxyloxy1plus1]

From the title, I would have said ‘yes’ until I saw the MAT and the length of commute. RI schools can be great- supportive, collegiate, good opportunities for extending experience. But not in a MAT. No way!