Management in Secondary Schools - is it always like this?

[kmg1]

I have worked in a secondary school with c.1000 pupils for the last 2 yrs, but it's my first school, so I don't know what's normal.

Our SMT have some great ideas and initiatives, but they really are not great at people management. They fail to inspire and motivate staff to carry out their initiatives, and when things are billed as 'compulsory' or 'policy' they do not follow through with individuals who fail to comply.

We frequently get reminders to all staff about x, or y, or z when everyone knows that there are a few specific serial offenders for each offence. Why do they not tackle them directly?

Staff meetings are compulsory, but some people never bother to turn up, and no-one follows up.

Some staff take the mick in all sorts of ways, but it is not dealt with.

Is this normal in schools? Because it is completely different to my experience (from industry in the private sector), where failing to tow the line was just not tolerated, and management was firm but fair.

My personal experience was that in the very good school I worked in there was great management. In the not so good school, management was poor. Poor management of the pupils's behaviour and failure to support staff was a key factor in me leaving secondary school teaching!

Ummm no, not normal.

If it is compulsory we ALL have to do it. We have to go to staff meetings or we are in trouble!

We get serial offenders in somethings (not doing duty is an good one)and these are dealt with if someone alerts SMT to it, but they are not always noticed.

However there are other things which piss people off, but generally everyone has to do as they are told