Love school but not good for progression

[TwigletPiglets]

At the end of next academic year I will have done two years at my school (school-based training year + NQT year). Assuming a job will be there for me, which is likely as I have already been spoken to assuming I am staying, I am in a big dilemma. It is a deprived area which I love the challenge of, generally very family feel among staff and I very much feel valued there. I have been supported well this year and learnt a lot of good practice.
My worries:
Not much opportunity for progression as not much turnover and few middle management positions (no year/phase leaders etc)
Likely to get stuck in my year group as people very settled where they are so I won't have opportunity for KS1 experience which I want
Location - it is commutable if I move but I could work somewhere nearer
Long term I want to aim for management but am thinking at some point I want to swap to private. Due to personal circs private would provide the longer holidays which would help (but not essential yet).

I have a while to decide and need to see how next year goes. Any views though?

If I read your post correctly you are just about to enter your first year as a qualified teacher when you return after the summer holidays? Which makes it very early days to be thinking about middle management opportunities - what you need to focus on is your NQT year where you are more "on your own" than in a training post. You may see a whole other side to the post during that year. Also bear in mind the second year of qualified teaching i.e. year after NQT year (starting Sept 2016 for you?) is often the year teachers find toughest as their extra NQT release is gone, you are now no longer thought of as an NQT and are expected to take more responsibilities and the support and mentoring reduces. So, as you say, keep an open mind as this academic year progresses.

The big issue for me would be the commute. That would be the catalyst for moving from a school where you are happy and feel well supported if it was me.

You mention looking for career progression at one point in your post, but like the idea of longer holiday at private schools - look into that very carefully. Yes many private schools have longer holidays, but term time commitments can be heavy (e.g. weekends, evening events) and career progression is no more likely than in state schools.

As someone who shortlists and interviews teachers I would wonder why you were moving schools after just one year as a qualified teacher. It wouldn't stop me interviewing, especially if you are in an area that struggles to recruit, but be ready with an explanation that shows you would be committed to the new school.

Enjoy next year and see what happens as the year unfolds, and charge your batteries over the summer.

Do not take a school you are happy in lightly. The wrong school can destroy even a great teacher. So can too much responsibility too soon (I know this one to my detriment).

Enjoy your supportive, happy school until you are so bored you are clawing your eyeballs out and can't bear not to move would be my humble advice!

until you are so bored you are clawing your eyeballs out
love that !! (gonna shamelessly use it!)

Thanks all
And by progression I obviously don't expect to be Deputy Head next year ;) just thinking longer term, even non-core subject lead posts are hard to come by.
And 'loving it' probably more refers to summer term... spring term I was googling other careers and the head was scowling at staff for sitting in the staffroom rather than running lunchtime interventions. I think I have just forgotten those times!! It isn't a bad school though and has any very lovely supportive staff.

I agree with the above comments, especially CharlesRyder's. There are often less career progression opportunities in the independent sector too. If you are happy, stay put! But always keep a look out to see what else is out there. I was told to move after 3 years, if you want promotion.