Subject Leading in a Small School- No additional time or money

[DaHeebieJeebies]

Hi,
I currently work in a small school (5 teaching staff, inc. 2 on job share) and a few years ago I was lumbered with the role of English Lead and EYFS Lead after some retirements. I didn't mind EYFS too much, as I was the only EYFS teacher, and took English grudgingly as no one else was able to take it up.
I receive no additional money for either of these roles, nor do I get any extra PPA or management time (despite asking Head and Governors).
I've recently returned from maternity leave and now work part time (two and a half days) and I'm really struggling to do anywhere near enough work for either role. I don't even want any extra money for them, I just want to give up the English one so I can focus on the EYFS one (especially with the new curriculum and a very tricky cohort this year). I'm having sleepless nights thinking of OFSTED coming, becuase I know I'm not doing enough. We had some training recently where they tried to reassure us that OFSTED 'would most likely want to speak with your Phonics Lead, your Reading Lead and your Early Years Lead, so give these three staff members time to work together' and I couldn't help but laugh!

But honestly, I've completely lost the passion for all of it because of the workload, however, there is no one who could it would take it on. Everyone else is also juggling at least two roles and whenever I've brought up swapping or delegating then it all falls on deaf ears.

No idea if anyone can help or advise, or if I'm just ranting! I have contacted my Union area rep but heard nothing back yet.

Sadly one of the pitfalls of a small school. I'm part time and am dt leader. We get half a day every half term to lead our subject.

I don't understand how small schools can be expected to deliver the same amount of documentation etc as a large school. The workload is already higher - as well planning for multiple year groups you end up dealing with ridiculous other things because there's often just no one else there. My colleague spent months directing builders whilst trying to teach Y4-6. I'm sorry I've not advice but you have my sympathy!

It's completely ridiculous for someone to be 'leading' EYFS and English whole school on part-time hours with no release time. I'm in a similar situation and asked to drop one of my responsibilities but was told it was necessary for my UPS1 pay grade. I'm currently really seriously trying to find a way out of teaching. It's not sustainable. No help, but sympathy.

Thanks all for replying. I don't think there's an answer, really, unless we employ a new staff member who is eager to take up English so I can swap! (I can dream...)

I'm not even on UPS. I'm M6. I declined the UPS move and said in my letter than I just didn't have the time to dedicate to their responsibilities it would require, but I feel like I get them anyway now.

All core subject leaders are on slt at my school and get 1 morning every other week for subject leader time x

@mrsnw

All core subject leaders are on slt at my school and get 1 morning every other week for subject leader time x

But in some small schools that would mean every teacher was on SLT! Unless you work in a small school, you really don't understand the realities of it.

I teach in the 'big school' in our cluster - we're a one form entry. Some schools local to us have 2 or 3 classes for N-Yr6. Every teacher is lumped with whole school, core subject responsibility whether they like it or not. And then mixed age teaching is thrown in on top. There's no allocation for extra pay or extra time! It's an extremely unfair workload compared to those who work in bigger schools, share planning, etc. However, they can be lovely environments that mean staff love it and don't want to leave!

I previously worked in a 3 class school ( R/1/2, 3/4 and 5/6) Everyone managed at least 3 subjects, usually with something else on top. It wasn't too bad in the " old days" but now, with the expectations OFSTED put on subject leadership, it's a nightmare. Monitoring may be easier, as there are only two other classes to get round! But the rest of the paperwork and expectations are pretty much the same for small and large schools, and usually without the support or time needed.

I completely agree that the new Ofsted requirements are so unfair on teachers in small primaries. It's a huge bugbear of mine. It has doubled our workload, but there is no compensation, when we already have more to do than bigger schools. The cynical part of me thinks it's all a government ploy to get small LEA primaries into MATs as it's the only way to manage the workload - shared across schools, rather than as stand-alones...

Put simply, it’s not fair. How can anyone expect you to do all that in a part time role? I’d make my position very clear to the head and governors and warn them that should Ofsted come calling, you will not be up to date as you haven’t been given the time to do your job. That’s all it is at the end of the day, a job. It makes up about a third of your week at this stage, your focus should be your family.

I know this doesn't necessarily help to get rid of English completely but as a lot of schools are splitting English now, could you say you'd do either phonics, early reading or reading in general if you're happy to and then say somebody else needs to lead on writing now that you're part time? At least leading phonics is directly beneficial to your end of the school!

Again thanks all for the support and advice. I've managed to split EYFS a little bit with my job share, so the load is slightly lessened.
I brought up the idea of splitting English but no one was willing (or, in fairness, no one had the time) to take any of the chunks on.
I have a meeting with the governor who oversees my subject so will raise it with them and see if they have any advice.
Until then, I've decided to pick one main project and work on that, then at least if OFSTED do come I'll have something to show and can hopefully bluff the rest and say it's in development!

Given you are not on UPS 3ven they are seriously taking the piss. Ask for release time.

@thebookeatinggirl

I completely agree that the new Ofsted requirements are so unfair on teachers in small primaries. It's a huge bugbear of mine. It has doubled our workload, but there is no compensation, when we already have more to do than bigger schools. The cynical part of me thinks it's all a government ploy to get small LEA primaries into MATs as it's the only way to manage the workload - shared across schools, rather than as stand-alones...

But then MATS don't want and don't accept small schools as they are not financially viable. We have had small schools, requiring an academy sponsor which have been left without and had to close.

I was also involved in an OFSTED where inspectors reported that the barrier to the school improving to 'good' was the capacity of leaders in developing and leading a full curriculum ( 2fte teachers including the HT). No answer to solve it though.

The system is a mess.