I feel I’m being taken advantage of

[Confused1234512]

Secondary school. In charge of a subject (not saying which one) doing all curriculum plans, sorting out all the admin etc. Basically head of department but no TLR whatsoever or title. School told me they don’t have budget but next year will have a conversation with me. They very happy with me and head told me he doesn’t want me to leave when I told him I might look for other jobs. He apparently talks about my lessons all the time and considers me one of the strongest teachers there.

Had a meeting with new teacher who will be teaching some of my subject but never taught before so I had a meeting to explain the curriculum etc. He has NO idea about it and it’s not a subject anyone can just “pick up” regardless of what headteacher believes. It’s quite complicated subject knowledge required and you can’t just pick it up. Had a meeting with him where I explained some of the knowledge required and helped him with the first 3 weeks and then told him we can meet weekly and I can teach him enough to teach the kids. He starts interrogating me at end of meeting asking about exam results and telling me he wants me to teach gcse only and he will teach ks3, I was a bit confused as I thought meeting was about me helping him. He then tells me he’s in charge of the department! Even tho he’s not even taught my subject before!

I was very confused and went to speak to deputy who told me yes he’ll be head of the faculty but I will still be in charge of decisions and planning etc of my subject! Like what the hell no ones had any conversations about this to me. This was last day of term so I didn’t really have time to digest. I’m really angry. Any thoughts or advice please?

A lot of people have left without giving notice. Turnover is very high. I just kept my head down and worked hard not involving myself in any drama or politics. I can’t find words to express what I’m thinking.

Communication is the real problem here rather than the structure. A head of faculty doesn't need to have taught all the subjects in the group, even if they are stepping into the shortfall for your subject.

Was HoF advertised? And are the other areas in the school structured by faculty? If so do the other subject leads get TLR? Final question, how many staff in your department?

If others do have a TLR then you should to, especially if you have had to do the TAGS.

Take your excellent skills and find a school that will appreciate them!

So newbie has no subject teaching experience, is choosing what classes he wants to take, has been parachuted in over your head and you're not being paid for the work you're doing (the admin / organising stuff)?

Sod. That.

They are taking the piss out of you

Wait? You were told on the last day of term that you will be teaching different classes to what you were expecting? When was (is?!) the timetable published?

No I was told on last day of term that the new teacher joining will be the head if faculty. I already knew the classes I would be teaching he was talking about next year so september 2022

I would 100% be looking to get out of there. They are taking the piss.

I think that you need to withdraw your head of department labour. If you are not being paid for the subject leadership then you should stop doing it. Get a copy of your contract and find out what you are being paid for. if they can afford a head of faculty, this person should be asked to take over your duties. They are definitely taking the piss out of you. How many other teachers teach your subject?

I’m the only person teaching my subject at the moment, but 2 new people including the new head of faculty will be joining the teaching. As I’m the only subject specialist I will still be in charge of planning etc. With no title or TLR

Play hardball. You concentrate on your delivery/SOW/assessments. The new head of faculty can sort himself out as he has time and TLR to do that.

Look for another job. I did that a while ago and I am much happier

It can be quite common for one person subjects to have no TLR, especially if they're within a bigger faculty. It's not always right, but it's probably comparable to a classroom teacher in a single form entry primary school doing their planning and assessments.
Equally, I wouldn't expect a Head of Faculty to have experience teaching every subject in a faculty.

Where I would draw my lines in that situation is I'd be politely declining any HOD type tasks such as data analysis, coordinating any intervention, writing analysis reports for SLT as that's for the Head of Faculty to do. I'd do my own planning and then put my old planning for other year groups on the shared drive so staff have something something look at. If you're UPS though they might have a way to push for you to do other department planning under the wider contribution though.

If the school environment isn't good then you're probably best looking for another job.

@Confused1234512 this sounds very similar to my position over the last year - a HoD with no TLR and no time allocation. If they really value you, they need to give you some money/time for your hard work. Can you talk to other HoD's? Just wondering if everyone is in the same boat. If they are, then it's shocking but at least it's not just you. But if there are some TLR points allocated, then you have a very strong case to talk to the Head.

It all depends on how much you want to be at the school. However, it sounds like this new Head of Faculty isn't going to be great to work with, plus the complete lack of communication and lip service to how much they appreciate you - you might be better off looking for another job.

With my last school, I realised pretty quickly it was a shambles and got another job sharpish- with much better pay and working conditions. Don't loose confidence! You sound like a fantastic teacher and will find a school that will appreciate you (in cold hard cash!).

I would be taking all the stuff I'd done off the system then rocking up in September with your own lesson planning and just marking books. Then remind the new HoD they need to create a SoW and summit I've assessments. If they ask you to do anything else, say no or tell them how long it will take you and that's how much cover you will require.

I'd keep quiet for now, but look to leave at Christmas having got another post. One that pays you for the work you do.

I'd also let the 'Head of Faculty' swim alone. If he drowns, tough! (I speak as a former Head of Faculty who ensured he could teach both his subject - to GCSE and A Level, and the other 2 subjects at KS3 with no support from the HoDs).