Being forced to step down

[someteacher]

I hold a considerable TLR and am having to relinquish it. I wondered if anybody knew anything about this. It's going to put my family into a great deal of difficulty, to the point where it's barely worth me doing the job at all.

[DakotaFanny]

Sorry to hear this. It really sucks!

Isn’t there any protected pay anymore? They used to have to pay you for 3 years if they shut down your TLR role.

Why are you having to relinquish it?

[someteacher]

They think I am shit, basically

[PurpleDaisies]

What evidence do they have that you’re not meeting the role description?

Have you spoken to your union yet?

[someteacher]

i'm not in a union (before anybody starts, I do not for one moment see the union being any help here.)

I've been given a list of my crimes: mostly down to poor organisation. Nothing serious like safeguarding. However they do think I am an excellent teacher (hence wanting to keep me in that role) but not an excellent post holder.

[Russell19]

Hmmmm.... do you think the points they have said have some truth?

[someteacher]

I think I have a huge workload and absolutely no time. That's the problem really.

[Russell19]

Do you get management time?? Xx

[someteacher]

I get 5 hours a week PPA

[MsJaneAusten]

Why aren’t you in a union?!

They would definitely help you and offer protection in terms of legal advice etc. If nothing else, join a union.

And don’t just step down! There’s a process. The school needs to follow it.

[someteacher]

The union wouldn't help - basically if I don't step down then I'm on capability.

[PurpleDaisies]

I don’t understand why you don’t think the union can help. That’s exactly what they’re there for.

[TheFallenMadonna]

I think you've posted before? I'm sorry it's got to this point. In the absence of union representation, what do you want to know?

[someteacher]

They can't stop capability purple

I'll ignore that strange comment about what people can do to help

[Dermymc]

Primary or secondary?

5 hours PPA is a whole day for us (secondary) and probably 1.5 - 2 hours over most mainscale teachers time tables.

I'd join a union ASAP. Mainly for your own personal protection legally. They can also advise in situations like this.

Ultimately the school can force your hand in relinquishing the TLR. What are your options for moving? Any way you could negotiate a reduction in responsibility and a smaller TLR?

[someteacher]

Problem is I'm so unhappy there. They want me to stay as a teacher but I hate it.

[Dermymc]

Get out! You've got 3 weeks until the resignation date. Make a positive step and leave. Do it now.

[TheFallenMadonna]

Whose strange comment? Mine? I wondered what you wanted to know. It happened to a colleague of mine.

[donquixotedelamancha]

They can't stop capability purple

They can certainly help you fight unfair capability- that's the main reason most teachers join.

I'm not really sure what you want here. You don't like the advice to join an organisation with the legal expertise to help- what other advice could we give?

Do you have legal protection with your house insurance- that might cover professional advice.

If you want advice on how to fight this alone, you need to post more specifics: Who is saying this to you? What are you not getting done?

[Chocolate35]

If you hate it get out. You have the experience as a teacher and whatever post it was you held. I’d job hunt, it’s not worth staying and being miserable (and financially stretched).

[PurpleDaisies]

They can't stop capability purple

No, but they can make sure that the school follow the process correctly. They’ve been very helpful to friends in similar positions.

You obviously don’t want to hear that though.

[TildaTurnip]

I would job hunt. I stayed a year too long in a school that made me miserable and felt set up to fail in.

[Pud2]

The bottom line is, if you are unhappy, leave. There are plenty of jobs out there so don’t be worrying that you won’t get another job. I stayed in my last job too long as I thought it was better the devil you know. However, I did finally leave and have not looked back. It’s given me a whole new lease of life.

[Jaffapaffa]

I had to do this earlier this year after being HoF in the same school for 17 years with no issues that I was aware of (new assistant head and anonymous staff survey = being pushed out). I was offered capability or leave. I chose to step down, after a lot of thought.
Union rep said that I had a strong case to fight, but that my card was probably marked, and that they would continue to push me until I was out of post.
It's tough - I stepped down with effect from 1st May - and it's very hard seeing my replacement doing 'my' job.
I'm coping by being as positive as possible at work, whilst inwardly being very stroppy. Outwardly helpful, but on my own terms.

[DippyAvocado]

I really don't understand why you wouldn't ask for union help. That's exactly what they are for. Tbh, if the school has followed all the correct procedures, eg made formal records of the issues and communication they have had with you over them, given you specific support to help you overcome the difficulties you are having etc, then there is not a lot you can do. This is where a union rep would have been helpful, in overseeing the process or perhaps working with the school to see if there is a lesser responsibility role that you could do instead for a smaller pay reduction.

[someteacher]

That's what they have offered.

I don't want to stay: I hate it, but I do feel a bit backed into a corner