AIBU to say something to SLT

[Sunshinerainbows123]

I'm a teacher at a college that recently got downgraded after an ofsted visit to requires improvement. We currently don't have a principal and the rest of the senior leadership have been completely disorganised. After the requires improvement news all teachers were sat down and told by the chair of governors that we need to improve our teaching and results or get out. The next day we were told by senior leadership that senior leadership only got requires improvement due to teachers bad performance and are taking no blame in the part they played at all. I'm beyond furious. I put in so much extra time and go above and beyond to the detriment of my family, when I was observed the inspector was complimentary about my lesson so I feel aggrieved that I'm being told I'm rubbish. We've also been told redundancies are likely and one slt turned round to me and the rest of the maths department and said we only have to give you 4 weeks notice just so you know. I want to say to slt what's your plan to improve why are you giving is absolutely no direction other than every single student must get higher than their target grade. I've already got a job interview next week as it turns out there's quite a lot of maths jobs around so I feel like resigning next week and leaving at Easter as the environment is so toxic but don't want to let my students down just before their exams. Sorry for the rant hoping someone's been through something similar and can give advice

[70ontheinside]

Leave, your SLT are rubbish and won't change.

[KittyVonCatsington]

What worries me even more is that the Govoners are also on board with this ridiculous stance and trherefore you don't really have anywhere to go. In no way do the teaching and learning lessons impact on the SLT OFSTED requirements-no way at all. In fact, in most Inspections these days, it isn't the classroom teaching itself that gets focused on but rather a myriad of other things.
I'd leave. ASAP.
I did just that when a new Head came in and went OFSTED crazy like that, where the SLT could do no wrong and in fact, did not do much st all. Still hasn't got an Outstanding school, a staff of mostly NQTs as everyone left and an under-subscribed school.

[Sunshinerainbows123]

Yes they are in a position of needing less msths teachers as I work in a sixth form college not a school- we were struggling to recruit full time students last year and after ofsted result is published we will have a lot less students (so different to secondary schools). I've actually been emailed asking to fill in application forms and have got the details through for job interview next Thursday- so I know getting a job as a maths teacher in a school will be fine. I just hate the way slt are acting and I do wonder if the college will eventually close as the government are keen on merging smaller colleges with larger ones. I know my head of department is keen to keep me and he's been really supportive through it all- the slt are just creating unbelievable unsustainable extra work in my opinion to get teachers to leave as well as bring openly hostile to avoid paying redundancy packages

[BlondeBecky1983]

I would leave. Their reaction is a knee jerk response to the shock of a dodgy Ofsted and shows a distinct lack of leadership skills. I would go now to avoid a very difficult couple of years ahead!

[Sunshinerainbows123]

Kitty- the governors are completely with the slt the chair of governors made that clear in her speech to the teaching staff.
I have been told to ensure every student in my GCSE retake class gets a good pass (C if taking legacy paper 4 if new spec) which is not realistic of course I want them to all pass and will try everything but it's not an easy task.
I also am supposed to get everyone in my AS class to get one grade higher than their predicted grade made from gcse average score. Some students are definitely capable of this some however have found the jump from gcse and a level incredibly difficult and if they pass at all that will be an achievement. Just feel that whatever I do I won't be able to get them the results they want

[elodie2000]

Just feel that whatever I do I won't be able to get them the results they want Says every teacher in practically every subject in every school!!!
Let them want!
Nod seriously, 'hear what they say' and carry on as normal. Let them sack you (they won't) and if they do... get a supply job teaching Maths (the very next week) at a school where they are so grateful that someone has actually turned up- they will never want you to leave.

[Trifleorbust]

Firstly, targets shouldn't be unachievable. You should have a review meeting midway through the her where in your comments you can note that you don't think the targets are realistic but you project X to be possible, with the following actions taken by you... [insert realistic actions here]. Do ask for this meeting.

Secondly, providing you can show what you did to make progress towards meeting the targets (lesson planning, intervention, conversations with students and parents - keep evidence!) you are in the clear. It isn't just about meeting the targets. Don't worry.

[diamondsforapril]

I agree maths teachers are in demand but budgets are also an issue.

I'm afraid I have to disagree with ilovesooty. I don't think unions have any power any more.

[user1484226561]

but don't want to let my students down just before their exams this is the big lie held over teachers to control them. You are not letting your students down if you leave, you are obliged to work hard for your students a set number of hours per week only ( and i bet you are going way over the limit) and whilst you are employed by the institution only.

Beyond that, their education is not your responsibility, so don't make it so.

Ofsted grades are meaningless gibberish, no more accurate than the toss of a dice.

There is absolutely no reason why you should be left feeling bad by this whole meaningless process

Just leave, try somewhere else, or get out of teaching. Other careers are often better paid and less stressful!

[user1484226561]

Just feel that whatever I do I won't be able to get them the results they want

but you are not responsible for getting children a particular grade.

The children are responsible themselves.

You are responsible for providing the opportunity.

How has this simple, basic truth become so lost????

[MrsGuyOfGisbo]

already got a job interview next week as it turns out there's quite a lot of maths jobs around so I feel like resigning next week and leaving at Easter as the environment is so toxic
No brainer.

[echt]

I don't think unions have any power any more

En masse, no, because there should only be one union instead of a number of unions jostling to show just how not like a union they are, i.e. not doing anything that might possibly piss off the public while doing what they actually paid to fucking do; protect the working conditions of their members.

Individually and at regional level they are frequently tip-top.

[user1471467016]

We are ALWAYS looking for maths teachers, believe me schools want your services and we certainly pay more to reflect this. What's happened is appalling and it feels like you are torn between staying and fighting for something you feel for, or going on the new pastures. I suspect you'll win either way, all you feel for where you are will transfer to the 'new place', if you took them on you'd win as what they have done is wrong. The new principal will clear the decks of the SLT first. They won't be going after the maths teachers (who are as rare as hens teeth) were I work. Both situations have advantages and disadvantages- a personal and professional cost (and gain), guess only you'll know what your heart and head feel.

[diamondsforapril]

I haven't found this to be the case sadly echt

[TalkingofMichaelAngel0]

You're a maths teacher? Just look for other jobs! The only way you could be a pStronger position is if you were a physics teacher!

[QueenofLouisiana]

I've been in a school which went into Special Measures. If the teaching is not up to scratch (I can't judge that, I am just going on the final judgement) the immediate thought is that SLT are not being effective. If they were, the teaching would be fine- or at least there would be a plan to improve it.

Therefore SLT are in shit- and they know it. The stamping of feet and threats are poor management and explain the situation perfectly. Get out of that place. It's a crap journey back to good, made worse if SLT are a bunch of twats. You need to consider your own mental health and well-being, they won't be good if you stay there.

[echt]

I was speaking generally, as a union rep and member, diamonds, Sorry if your experience differed. I can only speak about the union of which I was member, the NUT.

[noblegiraffe]

I have been told to ensure every student in my GCSE retake class gets a good pass

They do know that the pass rate for GCSE maths resit last year was 29.5%, right?

[Trifleorbust]

You need to remember that they are the vulnerable ones here - you are in a stronger position. Whether or not teaching is weak is virtually irrelevant; as a leadership team they are responsible for that. If they lose their jobs (and they will be first to go if it comes to a takeover) they are looking down the barrel of a negative Ofsted report and very high salaries, trying to find new positions that will be relatively few and far between. You, on the other hand, have a shortage skill set in an area of high demand. You are only responsible for your own results, and even if these aren't great, your school is crap so you haven't exactly had the support. You will be absolutely fine!

[diamondsforapril]

No, that's fine echt - I know they can be really good but the advice is haphazard at times.

[echt]

the advice is haphazard at times

I can imagine. I'm in Australia now, even with a single union, when I phone for advice, really I'm

[Benedikte2]

You need to think of your career first. You will be in a stronger position if you to choose to leave now because of the toxic/ no win situation you have Beeb put in. If you are forced to leave in a few months after a dispute you will feel less confident and will not be in as strong a position. Move on an help students in a supportive environment.
Good luck

[OurBlanche]

I'm afraid I have to disagree with ilovesooty. I don't think unions have any power any more. Mainly because we, as a society, have allowed consecutive governments to remove any and all powers they had.

Many parents have jumped for joy when this happens, as have many others in other walks of life!

As many of us ardent union members have been saying for years... you'll really miss them when they are gone!

[ilovesooty]

Spot on OurBlanche

[Sunshinerainbows123]

Nobel giraffe I know we got 33% to pass last year which was slightly above average but to ask for 100% is the most absurd thing I've ever heard and they were being completely serious 😵 oh well I've been planning my interview lesson today and feeling positive for that. I don't want to leave behind a great maths team but don't want to feel bullied and in fear that I might lose my job if we struggle to recruit students next academic year. The biology teacher that I'm friends with is handing her notice in next week to leave by Easter so I have a feeling I'm not on my own in how I'm feeling. Wonder what SLT will make of their bully tactics once more staff than they want go