I admit I haven't read the whole thread, I got several pages in but it just seemed to be repeating. I was just querying the salaries quoted, it was estimated at the beginning that the HT salary was £70k with it rising to £90 in "real" money.
I know it does depend on the location and I imagine size of school running but round our way the average primary HT wage is under £40k. That's a fuck of a lot of work for that amount of wage.
I'm in a low paid public sector job, sometimes I think about chucking it in and getting something that paid better for much less stress but I genuinely love it and would miss it terribly. I often will say to colleagues they can contact me while on holiday as we're all there to support it each other - but I wouldn't take a call from a member of public. That's my paid leave.
Admittedly I'm on a lot less than £37-40k but I know the hours and level of work HT have to do as well as the levels of responsibility, I wouldn't want it for twice the salary.
How much do you pay for childcare, for the responsibility of your one child. HT have ultimate responsibility for all the children at their school - as well as the teachers, TAs and all other staff (admin etc). They are also responsible for the building, for ensuring they meet the ever changing curriculum, deal with concerns of the parents, deal with police, social services, antisocial behaviour officers, deal with the governers.
Im trying to say as has been said over and again - this is a demanding role with skillsets required that most of us don't have to think of. A good teacher can be everything to a school and yes, a bad one can drag it down (I'm very disappointed with our primary tbh, general consensus is that it was the old HT that ran it into the ground, we're waiting to see if it improves).
What is your school generally like? What's its ofsted rating?
I appreciate how upsetting it would be to deal with bullying type behaviour. We all want the best for our kids - but by posting such an inflammatory statement you've not really helped your case.
What do you think the HT can do in the holidays? The alleged offenders won't be there, they're not going to pull parents in in the holidays.
HT have to deal with cases of severe neglect, kids who have been physically /sexually assaulted, kids who parents are the victims of domestic violence, kids carrying weapons, potential abductions (usually by family members), bloody FGM.
I think they absolutely deserve a break. They will be contactable by proper authorities, just not parents (who if it is serious can contact through proper authorities).
Source - HT and teachers in family as well as friends in profession.