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AIBU?

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Original poster

Beyond fucking angry about our primary school

158 replies

Whattheactualhell123 · 03/10/2023 13:50

This article has just
appeared in our local paper about my kids primary school - I'm so upset for the kids and the remaining staff sticking it out.

https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/former-teachers-slam-toxic-culture-27669063

Rumours have been circulating and heated debates launched on the school whattsapp from time to time about the new head.

In all honesty what power do we really have to make any changes for a better learning environment for our children and the teachers?

. Is it ever really possible for a head to be removed from their post because they have behaved so badly towards their staff?

What would you personally do if this was your kids school?

If you are a teacher or support staff (apparently the PA had an awful time too!) who has left this school due to this person I am so sorry that you have been so utterly failed in your profession. ❤️

Former teachers slam 'toxic culture' at Cambs primary school after many leave

Former teachers at Bassingbourn Community Primary School said there was a culture of 'bullying and fear' at the school

https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/former-teachers-slam-toxic-culture-27669063

OP posts:
Whattheactualhellpart2 · 06/10/2023 23:35

TheMadGardener · 06/10/2023 20:57

Can't find the post but someone above mentioned staff being resistant to necessary changes. It also depends on the people management skills of the person making the changes!

I've experienced two different styles when I've been working in schools where a new head came in and wanted to make changes.

Management style 1 - new head came in, was pleasant to staff, said "you've all been doing an amazing job so far but some things need to change, I know we can all work together to make change happen because you're such a great staff." They explained the reasons for changes. Staff felt valued by new head and got on board happily with the changes/improvements, working hard for new head.

Management style 2 - new head came in, treated staff with disdain, said "I see Ofsted recently gave you a Good but everything I see here is inadequate to me, everything needs to change, if you want to be part of my team you'd better shape up, the staff at my last school knew how to work hard." They made changes without explaining anything (staff would come in and find resources removed/replaced with no warning), staff were bullied, threatened and told they were shit teachers. Staff felt completely worthless and left en masse.

@TheMadGardener absolutely this!

LuluBlakey1 · 07/10/2023 07:47

The section below from the most recent report- 'What it is like to attend this school' comments directly issues related to behaviour and bullying and measures now put in place to address these which children are pleased with.

In 'Ofsted speak' it says children have said the school was not always calm but is calmer now, teachers did not always work with them to resolve issues but do now and that bullying has been reduced by the introduction of the buddy system and friendship groups- they now have a way of reporting things they are concerned about through the 'worry box' and these are now followed up and they now feel confident to report their concerns.

Beyond fucking angry about our primary school
LuluBlakey1 · 07/10/2023 07:51

Whattheactualhellpart2 · 06/10/2023 23:15

Well the LA say there was 'historic bullying'. Ofsted mention it too. Staff might not like that but if it has come to the attention of the LA and Ofsted, something has gone on. Children are now telling Ofsted that it has improved so surely that's good?

@LuluBlakey1 you say ‘The LA say there was historic bullying’

The IMPORTANT question to ask is ‘who’ is the LA spokesperson in the context of the article?

Answer:
‘Communication team will liase with Collegues to provide a statement for journalist’

Which ‘colleague’prepared this statement? Need to think? 🤔

something has gone on - THAT you are correct about 😒

This is just conjecture unless you have actual evidence, other than rumour and gossip or 'feeling it in your water', to support this.

Moglet4 · 07/10/2023 15:50

Teateaandmoretea · 06/10/2023 08:06

Typical mumsnetter immediately jumps to everyone is ‘clueless’.

The simple problem is that there are not enough competent people available to be head teachers and this has been the case for many years. The smaller the school the lower the salary do the harder it is to recruit.

That funding has been reduced along with other shite driving teachers out this will get worse.

The OP is describing a very common situation and seems to have real naivety about the situation. The school appointed the best person for the job, who unfortunately isn’t up to it. To be raging, we’ll sadly that’s the state education is in.

Show quote history

You could try reading what I actually said which was not ‘everyone is clueless’. And I’m well aware of the problems in schools- I’m one of the teachers who left.

FrippEnos · 07/10/2023 19:03

LuluBlakey1

None of that section is about teachers and what they have been through.
It is all about the pupils.

Personally I would like to know how the pupils that said this were selected.
Many schools try and limit the pool from which pupils are picked or are told that the need to send X type of pupil to the room for discussions.

Standupforwhatubelieve · 07/10/2023 22:32

Moglet4 · 07/10/2023 15:50

You could try reading what I actually said which was not ‘everyone is clueless’. And I’m well aware of the problems in schools- I’m one of the teachers who left.

Show quote history

One of the teachers that left Bassingbourn?

jasminocereusbritannicus · 08/10/2023 17:45

When our school went into special measures ,several years ago, the executive head that was brought it was absolutely abdominal! There were some very , very good teachers who were browbeaten into submission, and a huge staff turnover. It was an awful time. Those of us who are left over from those times still talk about it as the worst time of our lives.
Three heads later and we are being asked to do so much that everyone is totally stressed out. If I could retire tomorrow I would, but I need to stick it out financially…

Parents expectations of what we can reasonably be expected to do for their individual children are ludicrous, behaviour( after Covid) has deteriorated and support staff aren’t being replaced due to budget constraints, and ‘goalposts’ are constantly being moved. It’s constant pressure.
My daughter is a senior school teacher and says much the same.😞

Standupforwhatubelieve · 10/11/2023 19:24

Makes me laugh the school has now been given a warning and both the chair and vice chair have quit, and the head is now going to be on maternity leave. Let's hope she doesn't come back. Oy positives from here on. The stand in head is gonna be breathe of fresh air compared to Coles.

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