to want you to convince me this would be a TERRIBLE idea

[ImanIDIOTO]

I’m a teacher and left my old job in July because SMT were unapproachable, only spoke to staff when it was something negative and made me feel terrible about ever taking any time off for my own children.

I started a new school in September based purely on how I felt SMT were based in the interview and I’ve been right about them BUT I hate the school - I can’t adjust and I miss everything about my previous place on work.

Im gay and this was a very open fact in the school and there were lots of other gay teachers

This new place is a Catholic school and I just hate the vibe

I desperately want to go back BUT I left on pretty bad terms after telling SMT my reason for leaving was that they were so unapproachable that I hadn’t even been able to tell them I was looking for a new job - the head just had a reference one day and completed it for me, no questions why I was leaving etc.

I felt very uncared for but actually I now don’t want to feel “ cared “ for - I just want my stability back

You burned your bridges at your old school. You're done there.

If the new school isn't a fit you're going to have to start seeking out a school #3.

Going back would be an awful, bad, terrible idea.

Don't do it.

You're not enjoying your new job and it's making you want to return to what's familiar because its better the devil you know, isn't it? You know if you go back there you will end up even more miserable and SMT will continue to be shit.

Look for a new job elsewhere, focus on schools with an ethos that more closely aligns to your own values.

I hope this comes over in the spirit it is intended but would you even be able to go back? Is there a job to go to, and would you be likely to be offered the position if there were?

I wouldn’t be able to go back straight away no, probably for September when some teachers leave in July

Usually quite a high turnover because of unsupportive SMT but I’ve realised they’re not the be all and end all

No idea if they would have me back - I am a good teacher and caused no issues, I suffered in silence really and then just left

Nothing will change if you go back, I doubt the slt will change (unless there’s a physical change in staff). As said above if you’re not feeling settled in your new setting then look again, the right position is out there somewhere x

Don't settle! Look again.

Unsupportive SLT are pretty much the b-all and end all. They’ll destroy you quicker than a ‘vibe’. My career (and physical and mental health for quite a while) was ultimately ended by poor SLT - it nearly ended years earlier but I jumped ship which gave me a while. Do not go back to a toxic environment. Move on if you need to. Don’t go back.

It's really not on to publicly out a poster on here. I've reported. If you think you know OP just privately message her!

A Vote for a third school instead

Don’t stay there and don’t go back. You are a teacher. You are in short supply. Someone else will want to employ you. Someone better than either of these two schools

Another vote for a third school but this time think about the whole package and what would work for you, not just one aspect. You’ve worked out that catholic school does not work for you - does that mean all faith based schools would not work???

Make a list of what you want in a workplace ( and think about where the compromise can ge made if need be)

Staying where you are sounds miserable, but going back really wouldn’t be a good idea. Things won’t have improved if the SMT hasn’t changed, and your card will be marked if you return.

Also, to play devil’s advocate - would they have you back? Are you strong enough to handle potentially going in for an interview, only to be rejected in favour of another candidate? That is a risk.

I guess I’m now seeing things through rose tinted glasses, playing out that things weren’t so bad etc

I think I need more time for me to have clarity - a new job won’t come up there anytime soon anyway so I guess that gives me time

You really shouldn't have to choose between a school with a hyper-critical and unapproachable SLT, and a school where you feel unwelcome because of your sexuality. I'm with previous posters saying hold out for school no 3.