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AIBU?

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AIBU to think vice principal had unrealistic expectations?

131 replies

Supermummy88 · 10/12/2024 23:53

Good evening all,

I’m a geography teacher and took on a new role as head of department last year in November at a fairly new school…this august were their first set of GCSE results. When I started there was a lack of resources, very poorly planned schemes of work and no GCSE lessons on their system. I had a lot of my own resources however I didn’t have any for the exam board that the school do for geography. I have worked extremely hard for the past year to get this department up and running. The other geography teacher is unqualified and new to this country and therefore I couldn’t really rely on him much. I have put in a lot of effort and I don’t think I can put in much more. I am doing intervention classes, lots of exam questions, creating lots of new GCSE content etc. I had a meeting with the VP and AH yesterday and they said that the year 11 mock grades were not good enough in comparison to the RE and history results and that I need to do something as a matter of urgency to ensure that the students reach their targets. They then started going on about how good the RE teacher is and how her grades are amazing. They have come up with a whole list of things I need to do. I just don’t have the time or energy as I have primary aged children on my own. AIBU to just tell them to find someone else for this role? I just can’t deal with the constant scrutiny!!!

OP posts:
BCBird · 15/12/2024 08:29

They are welcome to.find simeone else. As for no GCSE lessons being on the system, are there any colleagues in different schools/ prepared lessons u can purchase? Teacher of 30 yrs in dept where we are still in process of doing this.

TwinklyAmberOrca · 15/12/2024 08:29

Find a better school and make sure you take all your resources with you!!!

That's shocking behaviour from senior management!

SaagAloopa · 15/12/2024 08:28

I just don’t have the time or energy as I have primary aged children on my own. but you're doing this during your work hours right? Or are they expecting you to put work in after hours??

DismissiveAgain · 15/12/2024 08:25

With the teaching crisis as it is, I am sure that they need you more than you need them. You have power. Be polite and assertive, tell them what you have done so far, and what plan you think could help for next year. If they don’t agree, you will be looking at other options.

WheresMyChunkz · 15/12/2024 08:17

Look for a new job and prepare a calm email to send after you have resigned summarising the things you have done to improve grades and where you felt support or resources were lacking in a way which hampered your efforts. If SLT haven't noticed by now there's no point saying anything with a view to staying because they clearly don't value anything they have to look beyond the surface to see. Also it would make your relationship with them awkward whether or not they think they are in the wrong. Go somewhere you will be appreciated!

Ablondiebutagoody · 11/12/2024 00:34

I'm with you. They sound completely unreasonable. I would go further and tell them to shove the role and their school. You will find a new job in a heartbeat.

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