Department has a very particular style of teaching ...

[djandpuncan]

And it really doesn’t align with mine. I’m finding it really difficult to work with the sows in place and so have largely been doing my own thing (sticking to the topic but not delivering the lessons on the system) and have been told off for it in a department book scrutiny.

Has anyone ever been in this position?

I taught in a primary where the new head wanted very particular ways of teaching and any deviation from that resulted in capability procedures/bullying/etc.

It affected my mental health and wellbeing so negatively. The best thing I did was to finally leave!

Hoping it doesn’t come to that

I taught in a school where the head, deputy and my line manager all wanted very different things. Which all went against my style. It just didn't work.

Can you give a bit more information about the style? My department has a particular style too but, helpfully, there is a list of weekly outcomes on the scheme of work. This means that I can deviate a little, but have to evidence the outcomes in exercise books.
That said, I don’t have major issues with the style. It’s different to what I’ve done before but seems to work a treat in getting students of low ability over the 3/4 boundary at GCSE.

Very kinaesthetic (remember that brain gym shit?!)

Lots of running around, lots of ‘the kids will remember it if you get them to roll round the floor pretending to be cells’ and so on.

Lots of running around, lots of ‘the kids will remember it if you get them to roll round the floor pretending to be cells’ and so on.

Oh Christ. YANBU. No is a full sentence.

Deliver the content in roughly the order in the scheme. Take the good bits of their feedback and dump the rest.

Who is telling you off? Did they actually tell you off? If so, how precisely?

Unfortunately this is very much the focus - everybody doing the same thing!

Unfortunately this is very much the focus - everybody doing the same thing!

That's good. Consistency in systems is very effective. If, however, they are seriously expecting to dictate the minutiae of your lesson planning then they are being silly (I'm assuming you are a qualified teacher at a UK state school).

Once more: Who is telling you off? Did they actually tell you off? If so, how precisely?

I’m sure you don’t mean to sound like a teacher telling a ten year old off, don, but read that again.

Sorry op, I think don is just trying to establish if this is a management issue that you are being put on warning/capability, or if this is the head of department giving you a telling off because they personally want things done x way, but don’t have any authority to implement the change.

It would dictate the kind of advice people can give if they can better understand the consequences.

I realise that which is why I tried to respond politely but it really wasn’t an appropriate way to speak to me.

I think you’re being overly sensitive there don. DJ’s post isn’t unreasonable.

Unfortunately, some schools are like this. I’ve tried to identify them before taking a job there. I’ve left as soon as possible if it’s become clear that the approach that’s expected won’t fit with how I enjoy working.

Oh...right, okay.

Still no further information.

I think don is just trying to establish if this is a management issue that you are being put on warning/capability, or if this is the head of department giving you a telling off because they personally want things done x way, but don’t have any authority to implement the change.

Indeed. Any advice will not be useful without context.

I'm sorry you did not find my post appropriate, OP. I think you are reading meaning into it which is not intended.

Doh. Posters wrong way round. Really need coffee this morning.

Yes, possibly.

Sorry calm, I’m not going to risk outing myself because you get stroppy

I’m not sure why it would be outing to say who is criticising you. This situation exists up and down the country.

I think you’re being overly sensitive there don. DJ’s post isn’t unreasonable.

@PurpleDaisies

About what? I haven't complained about DJs post at all. Or did you mean the other way around.

Cross post above- ignore.

I’m not sure why it would be outing to say who is criticising you.

I dunno, what if they are being given feedback by a HoD in a niche subject like Science. That would be pretty unique :-)

Any advice you get will be a wild guess because you've given half the story

I dunno, what if they are being given feedback by a HoD in a niche subject like Science. That would be pretty unique :-)

Or if they work in a department with more than two physics teachers with physics degrees. I think there might only be one of those in the country.

@donquixotedelamancha

I mean did you mean to be so rude !?
Unacceptable. You are sentenced to 50 lines, lunchtime detention and an hour of the dunce hat in the corner

Ok. Well, thanks anyway.

😂 at the qualified physics teachers! What a dream!