Am I being managed out?! Can’t believe this is happening

[ErinReagan]

I’ve had Reception or Y1 for 23 years. It’s truly my vocation. Been in the same school for 13.

Was asked to see (new) HT when we came back from Christmas. I am ‘too comfortable’ and she is moving me to Y6 in Sept.

I am heartbroken. I really am. Moving me to Y1 would have been one thing but Y6 just seems petty.

Yesterday she asked if I ‘would mind’ working with the woman who will take over EYFS during my PPT. I really do mind to be honest.

Again, if I was looking at Y1 I wouldn’t mind, but I’m so worked up about Y6 I can’t think rationally.

I wouldn't at all think you're being managed out - but I am surprised there's been no collaboration

I would think you're a 'safe pair of hands' - that all the kids (most of whom know you really well) will be so pleased to have you

In the schools I know yr6 are taught maths/English/science/art/DT (probably others) by other teachers meaning the burden on Year 6 teachers is lower - what's it like in your school?

Is there any other jobs in your area for that year group?

Oh I hate headteachers who do this!! I'm early years trained and there is a reason that early years is a specialism! Not every teacher can do it!

When are you moving? September? Say you'll do it for a year and then re-asses.

Alternatively look to move. I had a series of job interviews after my head refused to move me from a year group I hate...now I'm leading in early years as he realised he didn't want to lose me.

I am definitely not a safe pair of hands in Y6. There is the odd specialist but nothing I could rely on.

I don’t know about other jobs locally. I haven’t paid attention to the rumour mill in years.

I would look at this differently - I bet they've just replaced someone (has the y6 teacher just left??) but the best candidate for the job is more suited to yr or y1. You are well known and capable so they think you can make the switch.

leave. If you haven’t ever made requests for a change or asked for any ks2 experience, then leave. Take your amazing experience to a school who will appreciate you. Good EYFS teachers are magic. I’d never have willingly done that with any of mine when I was SLT.

Being experienced and capable in R is completely different to being experienced and capable in Y6. I have absolutely no idea where I would start with a Y6.

I wouldn’t have minded Y1, or even Y2 at a push. Our staff is quite settled. It’s the woman currently in Y4 who is leaving.

I wouldn't say you're being managed out either - I think you're seen as a safe pair of hands and will have the automatic kudos with Y6 that you get when you're effectively a piece of furniture. I understand why you're flummoxed and nervous though - I'd be the same going the other way. Maybe you could ask your Head why the decision's been made?

Really need to know where LaurieFairyCake works though - I'd love someone else to teach my English/Maths whatever and have a smaller workload than anyone else! I've never heard of anything like that in Y6 - clearly I'm working for the wrong authority

I can understand why you feel so upset and I would also look to leave to find another YR class.

I'm a TA and even without having the responsibility of a teacher I'd hate to be placed in y6. I work with pre school - primary 2 for a reason (Scotland) id apply elsewhere if I was moved from the lower school. It doesn't sound like she's viewing you as the 'safe pair of hands' or that it's actually a compliment due to her too comfortable comment. Perhaps have a meeting and explain that as a result of this decision you will be looking for a new job. It's not normal ime to move anyone without previous discussion so I'm not sure this new head is someone that would be great to work under anyway coming in with this approach

I think your suspicions may be right and you could well be being set up to fail, Year 6 is very different to Early Years. A new HT often likes to change everything and make a name for themselves. If you are in your 50s I would be especially worried.

Odd that they would ‘set you up to fail’ with the SATs group though, it’s in their interests for Y6 to do well.

I don’t think you’re being managed out because Y6 is too high stakes for them to give a teacher to who they expect to fail.

BUT the fact that she’s telling you now makes me wonder if they want to see if you’ll look for a new job in the Easter bubble where lots of new jobs get advertised. In which case she is trying to manage you out. But at a big gamble.

I'm surprised you've not been moved around sooner tbh. In my experience teachers stay in the same year for 3, maybe 4 years and then get moved around. It's to give everyone a chance to teach different years, stops teachers getting 'comfortable' and can be more collaborative when you share plans with each other to help the teachers after you.

I wouldn't immediately assume you're being managed out at all.

I'm in a similar situation. There is not nearly the same joy in it and I miss the opportunity for play so much.

Reception and Y6 are completely different, it seems very odd that a headteacher would put a brilliant EY teacher in upper KS2.

Could you arrange to meet the head and ask her more about her thinking? Go armed with a long list of very expensive courses you feel you'll need to do in order to prepare yourself for Y6, the assessment etc., ask to spend a week in each KS2 year group so you have a better idea of where the children will be coming from, say you won't be able to spend your PPA time with the person taking over from you because of all the additional time and headspace your new role is taking. And then email her afterwards to clarify the support and CPD you've requested so there's a record.

I'm surprised you've not been moved around sooner tbh. In my experience teachers stay in the same year for 3, maybe 4 years and then get moved around
I was in Early Years for my whole 30 year career. It was the speciality I had chosen to do in my initial BEd. It would have helped nobody to put me in Year 6. It would make more sense to move people around within a Key Stage or, maybe, from Year 2 to Year 3 and vice versa.

Very odd and you’re right to be wary about the motives here. Our Head doesn’t finislise plans and inform staff of any moves until after May half term when it’s too late to hand your notice in for September, so at least you’ve found out nice and early.

I think the HT is sending a terrible message to you. Are you one of the highest paid? Are you open to new YR ideas or may you have ‘upset’ the DepH or anyone? Seems bizarre and unpleasant. I’d have to leave on principle (obvs if financially okay) as trust would be zero. Good luck.

I would assume that I am one of the highest paid

I can’t make myself any more clear; I wouldn’t know where to start in Y6. I do a lot of extra reading and CPD for EYFS. I don’t feel stuck in a rut, I feel I offer a great start to school (academically as well as socially and emotionally). I’d be totally out of my depth with SATs.

I think you have very right to be suspicious OP. What year group does the teacher taking over from you currently teach?

In the schools I know yr6 are taught maths/English/science/art/DT (probably others) by other teachers meaning the burden on Year 6 teachers is lower

Where do you work? I've never heard of this happening in my area.

At my sons Primary school it was the yr 6 teacher who had taught year 6 very successfully for years that was (with a new HT) suddenly moved to year 3. A brand new teacher was put in year 6 - it was a disaster (in terms of results) and everything put back the following year. I am thinking that you need to look at the whole picture - what is presently going on in year 6? Also like a pp said I think the new head is making 'her mark'. I would honestly look elsewhere.

I agree with Redred9 - it's very unusual to move an older early years specialist to Y6, with no consultation and with a teacher who doesn't want to do it. And it's very early. I'd bet they're hoping you'll jump ship by then. It is a completely different skill set and approach in Y6. I'm all for flexibility, but this would tip me over the edge (28 years Nursery - Y3, EYFS specialist). Are you on UPS and in your 50s?

I think you need to think about this new Headteacher. Are they supportive generally? Have you found them, in your experience so far, to be someone you want to work for? Could you have an open conversation with them?

If not, then you can either call their bluff and say fine, hoping they change their mind come the Summer term, or start looking now. I'm so sorry you've been put in this situation. I would hate it and be very stressed.

If the person in Year 4 is leaving, is the head moving everyone rounds? Does she maybe think you're all too set in your ways and need to be more flexible? Who else is being moved around?

It seems crazy to put you in year 6, what will she do if SATs results drop?

Sounds like a new HT who wants to change things up for the sake of it. To make their mark.
I’d look for a new school where you’d be appreciated.
There’s a teacher at my DDs school who teaches yr 1. New HT wanted to move her, she said no or she’d leave. She’s a fantastic teacher - my DD had her. She’s still Yr 1 teacher!