move to RI school or not?

[cansu]

Pros
Lovely dept
Nice environment
Job security
close to home

Cons
RI in all areas
SLT not great

Am currently in lovely post but this may not last beyond two years.

Application ready to go but I am not sure if I am making right decision. Am also concerned that I am UPS3 so expensive.

I moved from an Outstanding school to an RI one about five years ago (for career development). It was a great choice for me.

The only concern that I can see from your post is “SLT not great”. Can they lead the required changes to come out of RI?

In my case, the SLT were the reason I joined the school as they were so enthusiastic and had a clear vision for improvement. We went up to good after our first Ofsted. The time we were RI was unbelievably stressful and the pressure was intense. I cannot imagine moving to a school that could potentially be RI for years as you will be under an immense amount of scrutiny and pressure for a extended period.

*an extended period!

What does SLT not great mean?

If they’re bullying micromanaging arseholes then avoid the school like the plague,

If they’re incompetent and weak then you’re looking at lack of support, poor behaviour etc. Again, avoid.

SLT have a massive impact on a school.

^ this. We have weak SLT in our school and it's so frustrating.

I have heard that SLT are unsupportive and also that some are not v pleasant. I guess I have answered my own question. My main concern is that I am expensive and so many posts seem to specify MPR these days. My worry is that I won't find a decent job in UPS without lots of additional responsibilities. I guess I should start focusing on upskilling so that I can justify my 'huge' salary that I have built up through years of experience and great results.

Just to clarify, this particular school are prepared to pay UPS3.

Why don’t you go and have a look around? A good HOD might be able to compensate for not great SLT.
Why are they RI in all areas? What are they doing about it? Could you, with your experience, be just the person they need?

I went from a good to a RI school and I love being able to drive the change the school needs.
Interview them as much as they interview you!

I just have done OP and it's the best decision I've made. Started after half term, moved from a 'so called 'Good' school (it wasn't...it was awful and I almost quit teaching!). This is so much better in every level. Yes, there is always the knowledge that inspectors (LEA and Ofsted!) are pretty much a part of the fabric 🤷‍♀️ but the whole place has a totally different ethos. Staff are appreciated and supported, well-being is paramount, I'm now working 20 hours a week less!!! Last school I was working in excess of 75 hours a week...it literally nearly destroyed me and I had NO life! I'm now home by 5.30 and have no work to do at home in the evenings. Planning is shared and the school is fabulously resourced. It honestly does not feel like an RI school and I've never felt happier. I have my life back...which I'm slowly learning to embrace.