How do head teachers decide which teacher gets which class?

[GiraffesBaby]

Is it all quite complicated?

Well, I'm not a teacher, but I would take into account:

• skills and experience of teacher
• wish of teacher
• personal development of teacher
• which teachers work well together (if 2 form entry school)
• profile of individual class
• who has taught class previously

I wouldn't want to annoy a good teacher, but I wouldn't want to be held to ransom either.

Wish of a teacher? I wish. My head has never asked me, but I agree on the rest of pp suggestions. I do think they take account of them in my school.

My kid’s school the teachers very rarely move classes. The year 2 teacher is almost always the year 2 teacher for example, which I imagine saves some work resources and room set up wise. Changes have been because someone has left school, when two full time teachers decided to job share a full time post between them and once when a teacher would otherwise have had their own child in their class so moved to the vacant post in the year below and a new teacher had their old year group. I think one moved from KS2 to KS1 when a KS1 vacancy came up because that was their preferred age range. But generally they stay put for years.

But it’s a single form entry school, I imagine it gets more complicated in bigger settings.

In my secondary they give the more experienced teachers the exam years and the less experienced the ks3 classes.

In DCs’ primary school they apply for that year group or specialist area, so there isn’t really any reshuffling that goes on.

Wrestling matches in the staff room

In secondary schools, the heads of departments/faculties choose. Can be based on experience, expertise and also a balance of classes eg ability groups.

We are always asked for a preference, if we are likely to be moved to a new phase that would be a discussion with the head.

Often we have phases we are more comfortable with and years such as eyfs and yr6 tend to be years you don’t move much from. EYFS because it is a totally different way of working and Yr6 as you need to know how to prepare for SATs, transition etc.

It’s really helpful if the head thinks about the personalities in the phases. I’m working with someone with whom I have a great working relationship, it makes a huge impact on our ability to share ideas and resourcing.

Wrestling matches in the staff room

There was an enormous shock last year when all the teachers were suddenly moved about and now the DC are trying to guess what will happen this year!

I’ve been asked where I’d like to be and where I’d definitely not like to be (yr 6 moving straight to reception for example).

My current school the staff rarely move which I think is a bit dull to be honest as I liked a change when I was in class.

I’ve always been asked that should sat

From the outside I think that moving class every 3-4 years would seem to strike a balance between being used to the year group / curriculum, and not getting stale/pigeonholed.

At my school, the DH who does the timetable will tell Heads of Department the hours of each member of their department and then HODs discuss this with their departments and send back requests. These requests will be met if possible but it depends on the timetabling process.

We’re asked for a preference but it may not be granted. Our head takes into account staff skills and previous experience as well as the needs of the class eg. which teacher would be the best fit etc

I think nearest the dart board would be fairer than a wrestling match!

I know in my dc's school they get asked if they want a particular class. I think yr6 is the only year that hasn't had any teacher movement in a few years, the rest change yearly. There's 3 classes per year. It has resulted in some children having the same teacher more then once. My dd had her reception teacher again in yr3.

Ours seems to be every few years a couple move.
Last years movement was in part due to a difficult class and Covid break getting a firmer teacher and not a job share.
Another couple shuffled to allow that meaning another teacher went to their preferred area and a newer teacher got some KS2 experience in an easyish class.

There’s always some discussion with head/DH my experience.

• needs of children
• experience and skill set of teacher
• previous teachers - proportion of men/women/NQTs etc

We find out next term. Fingers crossed for year 5 again!

Also it depends who has left and how many NQTs have joined that year. My head tries to spread them out.

Depends on the school. Some just assign teachers without consultation, some talk to the staff.

I was asked to move age groups to take a tricky class next year as I'd be suited to the class level (I agree, senior classes suit me) and I run a tight ship (also agree). The principal will also have been mindful that I've had a couple of easy years, so giving me a hard bunch is fair enough.

I've been teaching for over 30 years and I think I've always been asked. Usually around this time of year Staff put it on a slip. However, that was never guaranteed . The HT assigns classes as part of their job in Primary. I imagine its Head of Dept type role who help assign in Secondary.

Heads vary in their attitudes to this in primary schools. Some like to move people regularly so that they don't get stale. Some like to keep teachers that are particularly effective with a certain age group, where they are.

It's generally good practice to move people occasionally though. And of course teachers will ask for a change for their own development. It's hard to move to a job in another school if you've only ever taught the youngest or the oldest kids. Heads want people who are flexible and can be used where they need them.

I spent most of my career in specialist schools, and have worked with 16 year olds with emotional and behavioural difficulties, five year olds with severe learning difficulties, and everything in between! It keeps you on your toes!

My head asks for requests but obviously can't please everyone and will have her own reasons for placements.

There were lots of changes in September 2020 as some teachers asked to remain with their 19/20 class as a bit of continuity for them after the first school closure, and CV staff and pregnant staff couldn't teach early years/KS1 due to lack of social distancing with small children. September 2021 will see similar changes as there are many lockdown babies due so the maternity cover teachers will need to be carefully placed.

All of the above (except wrestling & darts 😂). Some years it’s complicated, some years it’s not. It depends on circumstances & needs: staff (personal & professional), pupils (maybe to avoid teaching them too many times or maybe to match staff skill sets to pupil need), school improvement.

It’s an organisational matter and because circumstances & needs may be based on confidential information it mystifies parents sometimes. The head may not be in a position where they can explain the rationale.

They will be looking at the big picture and doing their best but sometimes have to accept you can’t please everyone all of the time.

It does seem very complicated, and you’re right, very personal.