New to SLT and I don't like our Trust

[Trinckle]

I'm 1 (and a bit) terms into my first SLT job. I'm dismayed at how openly hostile Trust are towards SLT. Not just me, all members individually and the group as a whole. And not just one or two members of the Trust, they all seem to dislike our school.

The Trust are teetering on the edge of having to rebroker our school, due to repeated < good ofsteds. This might explain it.

I've twice had middle leader roles at two different trusts and the working relationship I have had with trust has only ever been supportive, collaborative and looking to progress.

But as SLT in this new trust, they restrict any progression I want to make in my area and are insisting I can only do as they decide. I have less control over direction as SLT than I did middle leader.

I love my job. I love my school. I'll end up leaving because Trust are treating me like a total puppet. I hate it

Is this a normal feeling in SLT, do all Trusts treat SLT like this?

Some trusts have terrible reputations for this. They’re obviously worried about losing the school and how this will make them look. Rather than allowing staff who work there to do what’s best they micromanage through fear that they will look bad.
I’d start looking for something else. I’m in the north and there are some trusts I would never work for.

I wish I could understand the Trust perspective on this.

Do they want to keep us or want to get rid? If they want to keep us, why the hostility? SLT is all new (massive staff turnover) so past 'problem' staff are gone, but we aren't allowed to bring in fresh ideas.

If the want rid, it's clear SLT want rid too, why won't they just let us all part ways and move forward?

The school doesn't have a LGB. The GB is all central with the Trust. Therefore we dont have anywhere to go to in order to say, please arrange a rebokerage.

We are all just waiting for the next Ofsted and hoping we get inadequate (or at least RI) so that we can change Trusts. Personally im not sure RI (it will be our fourth) will be enough to rebroker. We thought that would happen last time with the third RI, but Trust got a warning.

I feel like much of the hostility to STL is Trust getting ducks in a row to be able to say to Ofsted - look, it's SLT fault not ours. Which makes me think that a fourth RI (which is most likely) will just keep the status quo. It's maddeningly frustrating and ludicrous to be actively hoping for inadequate - that's the only way I can see that we will part ways and move forward.

Is SLT Speech and Language Therapist/Therapy in this context?

@JWhipple it’s the Senior Leadership Team, so the head / deputy head / assistant head

@Trinckleyou've had two supportive relationships and one negative one, so I think you know the answer to your own question. Sadly, i sounds like you either need to move school or accept the status quo.

For what it's worth, the small trust that runs our school is fantastic. Very supportive and collaborative.