Should I move on?

[Misslu]

Hi I’m looking for advice however I think I know the answer.

I’ve been at my school for nine years since I was an NQT. I have been promoted throughout the years and currently have a position on SLT.

Recently I’ve not been having the best time, bad observations, questions about my SLT work etc. I am very close to my head, we’ve been through some tough times however she’s always been very fair to me. The thing is she is a tough head and I take things very personally due to my commitment to the school. I’m finding myself spending a lot of time worrying and feeling anxious about school. I also feel quite unmotivated at the moment.

My husband thinks it’s time to move on? I am thinking I agree with him. I feel like I just care too much at the moment and it is clouding my judgement. He also thinks I’m never going to progress further without more experience.

Can anyone give me any personal experiences or words of wisdom.

Thanks x

I think you could do with a few months sabbatical away from it all really, to get your head straight and then decide after that, but obviously that's not done in teaching.

So, I think, yes, your only option is to get a job elsewhere. You seem almost too dedicated to the school/job - it's just a job like any other, whatever anyone else tells you.

Moving schools is HARD though - so I'm not recommending this lightly.

Hmmm food for thought.

I may sit down with my head tomorrow and have a chat with her. Not looking forward to it one bit.

9 years to SLT is quite rapid progress! Are you possibly in a bit over your head? How long have you been SLT? What training have you had?

If you have been dropped in at the deep end regarding responsibility, then this could affect everything, including your normal teaching work.

I’ve actually been part of SLT for about 5 years now. We are a young leadership team. I have completed my npqml but that’s really it in terms of training.

I have had another bad day today and feel like I can’t really continue anymore. I have responsibility given to me then taken away constantly and I’m living in a state of constant worry.

Is this a primary school? Young SLT without much experience is more common in primary / small schools. You need to request proper training as a start and then start looking to move schools, even sideways rather than upwards. You are quite new so you could even go down and then back up to gain experience in a different (ie more supportive) school.

I moved schools after a very very long time in one school- I had friends and all my support systems there.
In my new school I was lost for the first 3 months but after a while I got use to it and it was the best thing I had ever done.
Although I loved my old school - things had changed and I would not have been happy and stagnated.
I love my new school - I have the most fantastic head and think I have learnt so much