Has anyone been a HoD and dropped back down to teacher only?

[Shadowboy]

I’m finding that for the measly £100 per month (after tax etc) being a HoD for 3 subjects is not worth the stress and workload. Especially with a member of staff not pulling their weight.

I’d like to leave and go back down to being a teacher with no responsibilities but I’m worried I won’t be employable. I don’t even know what reason I’d give in a interview... has anyone done it? How do you feel now?

What subject? I’ve had two HODs who have stepped down and continued as a teacher in my department, and I know others who have stepped down from pastoral roles.

I think in the current climate it would be understandable, just give ‘better work-life balance’ as the reason.

I've dropped HOD MFL this September and it's an absolute joy. Wish I did it sooner!

I've done it twice. Once on moving to Australia, though I moved from supply to HOD in four months. I went back to a non-management post this year and found the full timetable a shock at first, but OK now.

Next year I'm going part-time too.

Would never go back to that shite, but then I'm 65 so have quite enough.

Have "had".

Me 🙋‍♀️! I left a full time HoF role in an independent school and have gone 3 days a week into a state school as ‘just’ a classroom teacher. I had several interviews and was definitely too expensive for some of them. I miss being in control of certain things, but don’t miss the pressure and accountability of exam results etc. It’s now not my problem anymore. I’m doing my Best but the buck stops one level above me, and that’s lovely. I’m really missing my friends and colleagues from my own previous very small school though, it’s harder to meet people when you’re teaching a 90% timetable and you’re only in three days per week. It’s also a massive school (5 times the size of my previous one) so it’s easy to feel a bit lost in the crowd. However It’s all much better than my previous one, so am just being friendly and smiley and hoping to volunteer for some trips etc to get to know more staff members and kids that way.