There is another way!

[MsFiremanSam]

I've just accepted a job in a new school. After 4 years in a RI school, and 2 DC's in between, it was either that or leave teaching altogether.
The Head is amazing. He's taken the school from 4 to 2 (with outstanding for behaviour and leadership) in 4 years. He doesn't believe in graded lesson observations, but supportive peer observation which helps teachers improve, all his slt teach so they can empathise with teacher experiences - and they do all duties and detentions. He doesn't believe in overly structured lessons or mini plenaries, and teachers can be as creative as they want.
It makes me feel that there's hope for the teaching profession. We need more Heads like this! Just thought I'd share.

yay!

Oh god, I would love to work for someone like that. It's not got a sixth form, has it?

my Head is super duper too - empathetic, fun, strict and on our side

This is as far from my experience as it's possible to get.

I would love to work for that HT
'as creative as they want'? seriously???!

same, imperial
want anyone for EYFS?

My head is like this too. He's a fantastic teacher and amazingly supportive.

In return he gets teachers that will go that extra mile , and further. (We cooked dinners for the entire school on Thurs as catering staff were on strike with short notice - this meant we didn't have to close)

I would go back to teaching if I could work in a situation like that. My last experience couldn't have been more different I feel as if I had all the creativity leeched out of my by the way in which I was forced to teach.

it's like saying you've won the lottery tbh

My current school is as far away from that as it's possible to get! Totally demoralised staff, rock bottom morale and very high staff turnover.
It's got a 6th form too. The kids are from a very deprived area, but they behave. In fact they're delightful! Seriously can't wait.

wow- so pleased to hear that there are some good schools and proper heads left.I spoke to a friend recently and her new school is brilliant- a head who spends time with his staff and the kids,well organised,supportive and sense of humour still intact.I was really pleased for her but had to try not to cry. Let's just say that my head is a little different from that description...

Going to step away from the keyboard now before I type something I regret.

I'm really pleased for you OP. Tot I hope you are pleased with your strike breaking - those work weds earn less than you and have a grievance. Well done

I am SO pleased for you, OP.

I was in a terrible school and a terrible place mentally 3 years ago. Every morning I was wondering how I could hurt myself badly enough so I didn't have to go to work. Constantly graded 4s by the vile women on the SLT despite grade 2s from Ofsted. I inherited children from the previous teacher one of the "in crowd" with such laughably inflated levels but blamed when I refused to continue inflating and put them all back. It was appalling.

Now I'm somewhere like you've described. I could not be happier. Absolute freedom to teach how we think best...happy, supportive staff....sensible work/life balance. It has quite literally given me my sanity back.

I really hope you enjoy it there - I will never understand why more schools don't operate similarly.