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How usual is it for teachers to move around within school?

11 replies

ShadeofViolet · 02/07/2013 16:05

I am just wondering how common it is that teachers move classes every year.

This year we have a yr1 teacher moving up to teach year 5, a year 6 teacher moving down to teach year 2. Out of all the teachers (14) only 2 are staying in their current class.

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spanieleyes · 02/07/2013 16:17

Very usual, in 9 years at my school I have taught every year group but yr 4.

Chubfuddler · 02/07/2013 16:20

Very. In my school you have had the same teacher for year 8+9, then another for 10 +11 and then another for 12 + 13. Some of them them jumped back to the beginning, some left, some had a break from having a form, it followed no pattern really.

DS is in year 1 but his teacher is going to teach year 4 next year.

cornyblend37 · 02/07/2013 16:22

very usual and also good practice

BackforGood · 02/07/2013 16:59

Very usual, and very good practice IMO and IME.
My first HT had a policy of 2 yrs in a Yr Group then move - she could usually work it that one person in the Yr group stayed and one was new each year, combining a bit of stability with a fresh look at things. Smile
If I were ever daft enough to be a HT, I'd definitely copy that plan.

mrz · 02/07/2013 17:37

I don't think moving for moving sake is any better practice, than a teacher staying in a year group where they do a good job and have expertise. Some heads move staff every year others prefer to let them spend longer I don't think either way is better or worse.
If I were ever daft enough to be a HT I would place staff where they are best suited ...

Sprink · 02/07/2013 17:59

I wrote a long post about this but computer went pffft.

Moving for the sake of moving isn't necessarily useful, but moving teachers to different classes is seen as best practice because it adds to the overall stability of the school. This normally leads to secure learning for the children, and to career advancement or teaching enhancement for teaching staff. Remember we're speaking of Primary School level here. (Well, I am.)

Changing year groups helps teachers better understand what they need to do to prepare a group for the next year, or to better understand the difficulties in preparing a group for their own year.

Changing also allows teachers to prepare professionally (such as those who wish to move toward Deputy or Headteacher positions--it's incredibly useful to understand each year group's needs).

Changing year groups also allows a school to have staff with some experience in place, if staff turnovers get out of control for whatever reasons, rather than having to narrow the search for new staff by asking for/hoping for specialised year group teachers.

For the children, it can be a breath of fresh air. My children are close in age and tend to tell each other what to expect from the next year's teacher. If that teacher is different, it gives the younger ones an opportunity to experience the year on their own, without the older sibling filter.

UniS · 02/07/2013 19:00

There sems to be some movement every year at DS's school. Fora variety of reasons, some look like career progression moves some look like making a good fit between class and teacher, some look like they are to give the best support to a child who needs it.

Jinsei · 02/07/2013 19:07

It happens a lot at our school. DD's fantastic year 1 teacher is teaching year 4 now, and I'm desperately hoping that dd will get her again next year! Grin Sadly, there are two year 4 classes and I'm guessing that her class will have the other teacher instead! :(

BabiesAreLikeBuses · 02/07/2013 21:08

Our preferred model at 3 form entry school is: one teacher goes up with kids and teaches parallel class, other two remain. It can be helpful to have someone there who knows the kids well. Of course with promotions, resignations and maternity leaves it doesn't always go to plan!

spanieleyes · 02/07/2013 21:11

I've managed to teach my current class for 5 years! As soon as they move up, there I am waiting for them!

BackforGood · 02/07/2013 22:45

Well put Sprink Smile

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