Line manager issues

[BurningRed]

Hi all,

I have a line manager issue and I need advice on how best to deal with it.

Significant back story/examples here but it all boils down to that I am not supported in my middle leader role at all in terms of doing my job. Workload is ridiculous and I’m working 12 hour days with little/no support from above.

She has minimised quite serious things that have happened in school (health and safety) and also, when I asked for extra support to manage my team who had ignored instructions repeatedly from me on doing their job, she backed them and they stopped speaking to me - made the situation far worse!

On a personal level, things aren’t great. I was very unwell in January. I emailed her and HR/others to inform them and she ignored my email, no response. I struggled through teaching WFH and didn’t take time off but it wasn’t acknowledged at all.

Other than leave (I’m awaiting another middle leader position in my area), what can I do? Ignore her? Challenge this behaviour.

All advice greatly received.

Also, this is my third HOD role. I love teaching, I love the students. I loved my previous role - only left due to relocating.

I was sold this role as ‘a dept in chaos that needs a guiding hand to improve’ - I have fulfilled my end of the bargain, but am really struggling with the lack of support.

No experience of middle management as still training (retrainer in my 40’s) but from other experiences I would say - leave. Do your homework and find a school in your new area that you like. IMO it would take a pretty big culture shift to change this for you and - as you said - the dept was in chaos before you arrived. People not talking to you and you being ignored when you ask for help/time off are unacceptable working practices in any job. You’re middle management - you don’t need to put yourself through this for long hours and not much more pay. It’s not the place for you - it’s good that you’ve found that out. Try to use it as learning - reflect on what it is you don’t like and then what you would expect from a school and go into your job search with those things in mind.
Good luck!

Thank you @devoncreamtea you’re completely right.

I think I have to see the positives here - at least I’ve taught at three previous schools and know this isn’t normal. Some people have only ever taught at my current workplace and think this behaviour is. :S

Thank you for replying xxx

No probs! Good luck with your search - I’m sure you’ll find a school that values you (and the rest of the staff!)