To be worried about all the staff changes at dd's school.

[ElleBellyBeeblebrox]

So Dd is in Foundation of our local primary. The school has had a lot of change in the last 5-6 years, they've had at least 4 head teachers and lots of staff in and out, and a lot of people lost confidence in the school. New head started in September, saying that he's here to stay, he understands the concerns etc. On parent mail today, we've been informed about 5 members of staff leaving at Christmas. One retiring, two moving onto other posts elsewhere, and two just leaving. The two who are leaving are both the Foundation class teachers. The mummy mafia at the school gate seem to think they've been ushered out as not being up to scratch. I'm just upset as dd and her class mates have just settled in and will now have the rug pulled from under them again! Is it normal for teachers to leave/retire at Xmas? Or is it a sign that the staff are unhappy too?
Sorry for rambling, basically AIBU to be a bit pissed off and worried?

Unusual to have that much movement at Christmas rather than the end of the summer term. Retiring, yes, it's not happy times in teaching ATM and she's escaped ASAP. New jobs, fair enough and another school is losing 2 teachers as well. Were you given any reason for both EY teachers leaving?
Do you know what they are planning on doing next, or is gossip all that's available?

I wouldn't be happy about it but not quite sure what you can do. Changing schools would be more disruptive presumably?

Why all the changes in heads? That's a bit odd. Retiring happens - maybe just bad luck? Is there any way you can meet with the head and ask for answers?

Nope no reason for the two foundation teachers to be off. Which is odd as reasons were given for all the others. They're advertising now for new staff to replace them, interviewing end of November. Am gutted as dd's teacher is lovely, and dd is progressing well already.

It does seem a bit strange to have so much movement in such a short time. Has the Head communicated what's happening about replacements? It could be a good thing, fresh faces are often keen to prove themselves.

Can't do anything about it as moving schools not really an option. Just wanted feedback incase I'm being stroppy and unreasonable!

It's worrying but it may turn out ok. DD had 4 different teachers in her reception year (a different one each term, and one term it was a job share between 2 teachers). She's now in year 1 and is happy and settled and progressing well. I'm just hoping we're in for a more settled period now!

People can leave or retire at any time of the year and I don't see why the 'mummy mafia' need any details.

The frequent changes in leadership are quite another matter and I'd want to find out more about what has been going on and about future planning and vision.

We have been through something similar - school not doing well at all, 3 heads in 3 years, etc.
When the new head came in just over 2 years ago she made it her mission to turn the school around and she has done. A lot of staff did leave within the first 18mths but, looking back, most of them needed to go and the ones she has recruited to replace them have been fantastic. DD was in Yr4 and has really benefitted from the new head's approach
as her year group has always been very difficult and had had a lot of disruption - she is now in Yr6 and flying :) DS was in Yr1, his year group are very different and he wasn't so affected by the changes though temperament may have something to do with that!

I think what I am saying is that change is not all bad. Although it is hard that both Reception teachers are going I suspect that the children will be more adaptable than the parents.
How the change is handled should tell you a lot about the new head.

Has the school been judged by OFSTED to be requiring improvement/ unsatisfactory? Not unusual in a school where management is not stable.

'People can leave or retire at any time of the year and I don't see why the 'mummy mafia' need any details. '

If you don't give them a reason, they will invent their own, usually unpleasant and spiteful ones. Doesn't mean that it has to be the whole truth, or truthful at all. Just enough to give them something to gnaw on.

Last Ofsted was satisfactory. I don't think we need every detail of all the ins and outs, but as you say Silver the playground rumour mill is working overtime which isn't helpful! There's apparently an information evening tomorrow night for if anyone wants to raise anything, which I'd love to but not possible with DC's as DP works late.

Regardless of wanting to stop the mummy mafia's gossip it is still none of their business why staff are leaving. Teachers do have a right to privacy. I'd be furious with a head sharing my reasons with parents; I've chosen to move on, take a sabbatical, retire, take time to be with a terminally ill relative, whatever, but it is not the parents right to know. All they do have a right to know is that I am leaving and that the school is in the process of recruiting / has appointed a replacement.