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.

[Nonnymum]

She probably thinks she is doing you a favour by trying to 'develop you' Which is ridiculous of course if you are happy where you and are good at and enjoy early years what is wrong with being comfortable anyway?
. If you want to stay in early years the best thing would probably be to move schools. I am sure another school will appreciate your experience and enthusiasm for early years.

[DICarter1]

Love your user name. I’m a BB fan.

This is incredibly shitty of your head. Our head did something similar and it was to try and manage out an older, experienced teacher. Put everything in writing. I wouldn’t be spending my PPA time assisting your replacement but rather focussing only my year 6 class.

From a parents perspective too I wouldn’t be happy for my year 6 son to be taught by a teacher whose specialism is early years as they’re completely different.

[viques]

I don't know how they do it these days but I would be a bit wary that they don't intend to remove your extra salary points, which are probably tied to your present EYFS position. Senior management can be very sneaky.

I think in your case I would go back, say you have considered the offer and don't feel you have the skill set to be able to meet specific Y6 teaching needs and it would not be in the schools interests to put you there. Is the current Y5 a nightmare class by any chance and they want you to keep them steady for a year? If you want you could offer to do Y3 if they want you to move key stage , but I would also be contacting my local union rep to see how far they are allowed to push you.

[peachgreen]

I'm so angry on your behalf OP and on the behalf of the kids who now won't be welcomed to school by a dedicated, experienced early years specialist. What a shame. Forgive me if I'm misunderstanding how these things work but if I was a school governer I'd be very perturbed to see a teacher with 23 years experience in EY being dropped into a Y6 class. I wonder if you might find some support there?

[Veterinari]

I think you need a meeting with the head to tell them that you are very uncomfortable with the move and to discuss other options. Say what you've said here: you have specialist training, have invested in resources and give children the best start to school that you can. You have no experience if SATs or KS 2 teaching and feel it wouldn't be the right fit for you. You'd be happy to try Yr1 or 2 instead

I think you need a really clear meeting rather than just looking for another job

[CaptainMyCaptain]

In my DS’s school teaching Y6 is seen as prestigious - you will be preparing the kids for secondary, this is a completely wrong point of view although I know working with older classes is often seen as a promotion. EYFS has a totally different type of curriculum and assessment and is a specialism in its own right. Contrary to the opinion of some Ks2 teachers it isn't just watching children play and when I explained the assessments we had to do some of my colleagues were aghast. It isn't as simple as setting a test and marking it.

[wibdib]

Agree with comments about getting a paper trail set up - including summarising your meeting with her and go as far to mention that you were disappointed that she felt it appropriate to catch you a minute before the bell went to [break devastating news/turn your life upside down/whatever you would best describe it as] and run rather dignifying with a meeting to enable us to discuss this properly. So that she knows her tactic has been noted. And then ask for a meeting to discuss it properly, sort out the courses you’ll need, the time shadowing the other classes, the budget you’ll have for supplemental resources (as obviously you have a large collection of R resources that you have bought and collected over the years that you’ll no longer be able use) and so on.

Definitely ensure you have all your stuff marked, and then inventoried. Even start taking stuff home then bringing it back so she gets used to seeing you bringing stuff in and taking it home.

Have you spoken to other teachers? Is there anyone that would like to teach y6? Or who has asked to have your year? Or that you could go back to the head and propose a different way of having teachers that would make everyone happy...

[PurpleFlower1983]

If you’re UPS3 and the budget it tight I would assume you are being managed out.

[ballsdeep]

I can see where you're coming from, it's a huge jump. We've had a new head and she loves to shake things up. She's out year 3 teachers in the nursery, year 2 teachers in reception etc. I would take it as a compliment and that she has faith in your ability to teach year 6. Some people think that because you're strong in one phase, you'll be amazing everywhere. I am very surprised though that you stayed in a year for 23 years. We are only 'allowed' to stay in a particular year for 2/3 years then are moved.

[StealthPolarBear]

This thread is shocking, as a non teacher, it sounds miserable. So if the op moves school they don't have to match her salary? But presumably she can ask them to and if they want her, they will?

[NomDeQwerty]

A new school does have to match salary. That's why it's so difficult to move. Also coming back after a career break is really difficult because afaik you're not allowed to be paid less than you were when you left. You can't negotiate your salary as that would then penalise younger teachers I suppose.

[MonsterKidz]

Oh OP I am so sorry to hear this.

I would do wigan SW1Mummy has suggested. I’d also make it very clear you’re not happy, offers compromise, any other year group from 1-4 maybe to show you are willing and open to change but ultimately stress that R is your passion, strength, love.

I would think budget is playing a huge roll here - I’ve seen it happen so many times. New HT, new ideas, has there been anythingese hallened to lead to this?

[Inertia]

@StealthPolarBear unless schools are actively recruiting for people in managerial roles, they can't generally afford to take on teachers at the top of the pay scale. I'm sure plenty of schools would want to take on a teacher with the OP's skills, experience, and clear dedication to providing the best possible learning experiences for the children in her care.

However, school budgets are brutal, and heads are having to take on NQTs/ RQTs to fill roles at low cost, even if there is a more suitable (but more expensive) alternative.

There are teacher shortages, but they aren't equally spread- most teacher shortages are in particular secondary school specialisms.

[asparalite]

I'm sorry but having seen this happen in other schools with new Heads;
I would imagine that the new Head is trying to put you in a situation where there is potential for you to struggle, although you sound as if you would approach it in a professional way.
However you really would think that it makes sense to have staff teaching an age group where they have expertise and knowledge.
I think in your situation you should look around to see what jobs are coming up in other schools.
I wouldn't advise discussing it any further with the Head either as she's clearly made up her mind.

[missfliss]

i think you are right OP. You are expensive and this is just a ruse. I am sure you are an excellent teacher but that they are trying to cut the wage bill. EY teaching is totally different to Y6 FGS.

Sorry this is happening to you x

[Interestedwoman]

Did she really use the words 'too comfortable?' How bizarre. It sounds like they're trying to use you for an easy answer to something they need, they maybe also could then pay the Y1 woman less or something. Confused!

Could you ask them to explain it to you a bit more? It there any increase in salary for what will be a lot of extra work? If not, that's very cheeky.

I would be looking for another job, seeing what's around at least. xx

[thebookeatinggirl]

NomDeQuerty - there is no pay portage any more, hasn't been for quite a few years now. It's one of the reasons why it's very hard to move jobs once you are an experienced teacher on the UPS. Schools don't have to match your salary, and many Primary Schools don't advertise or employ new teachers on UPS unless the job description comes with very weighty responsibilities. In an age of decimated budgets being experienced no longer holds much relevance. Budgets are everything.

[listsandbudgets]

Resist this OP.. for the sake of the year 6 children you'll be teaching, the Year R children you wont be teaching and also for yourself.

You are highly experienced. DS has a teacher with similar early years experience in reception and she was just amazing it was almost as if she understood him intuitively from the moment she met him. Cant explain it but I was so confident about leaving him with her.

You shouldnt be making a sudden jump to year 6 its totally different l. Children change massively in those intervening years and as for the curriculum...

If she was manager of a zoo would she send the specialised reptile keeper to look after the large felines? Probably not

[fridgegrazer]

NomdeQuerty

A new school does have to match salary. That's why it's so difficult to move. Also coming back after a career break is really difficult because afaik you're not allowed to be paid less than you were when you left. You can't negotiate your salary as that would then penalise younger teachers I suppose.

Are you sure? I thought this had changed in the last few years. Of course you can state your salary and if they don't wish to match it then you don't accept the position I suppose. I have a friend who was on UPS3 and was so desperate to move that when she went for a job and they didn't match her salary she accepted an MPS one. I thought that this was because they no longer have to match your salary.

[applesauce1]

I would be so upset in your position. I returned from mat leave part time. I have years of experience in KS1 and was offered teaching foundation subjects in Y6. It has been an enormous transition. I have to absorb a GCSE level of understanding for each subject every week before translating that into plans and resources that my year group partner can deliver without doing the same level of research themselves. No text books. No schemes.
It’s exhausting. I need to be an expert of all things.

I hope you find a solution that suits you, OP.

[GirlsInGreen]

What @Inertia said great advice, wishing you the best. What shitty behaviour from HT

[Noname9]

I suspect they may be trying to manage you out although one would wonder why? Is the budget in deficit?

But I agree with redred year 6 is too high stakes to gamble on an EY teacher getting it right and they’ve told you very early so I suspect they are hoping you’ll leave. If you don’t mind working somewhere where they have treated you like that then I’d stay put and call their bluff. I suspect you’ll find it doesn’t happen.

[MrsElijahMikaelson1]

I would also be wanting to know their thoughts behind making those changes and how she thinks that will benefit the children and the school given that you have limited knowledge of KS2 and the depth of curriculum required for SATS...

[wonderstuff]

New schools don't have to match salaries and UPS isn't transferable.

[EvilPea]

Sorry op I’m a parent not a teacher so my post is pretty pointless!
But my eldest is in year 6 and they are a different breed. I can’t blame you. It’s a completely different skill, the issues your dealing with are totally different. From friendship group issues, 11+, SATs, WhatsApp and phone problems to secondary move issues.
These all take different training, different knowledge and different skills to manage.
It’s a very very odd move.