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Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

WWYD if passed over for two promotions?

4 replies

Lilac57 · 07/03/2022 19:59

I am part-time teacher (0.8), and I've been passed over for two TLRs in my department, and I believe it's because I was unwilling to do the positions full-time. Both positions were given to full-time male current members of our department. For one position, that I really did want and would have been great at, a much more junior colleague got it, and I've no real idea why. I'm very experienced, my results are great, feedback from students and colleagues is great, I'm (imo) a helpful, reliable team player (regularly share resources etc) lead on new initiatives and activities, including things directly relevant to the job we went for! I just cannot see why I didn't get it, because as far as I can tell the colleague they appointed has just survived his time at the school without really adding anything. That's understandable though, they've only been teaching a short time and are still finding their feet, it's not their fault at all. I'd never say any of this to anyone I work with, and I get on very well with my colleagues, but I do find the fact that the Head thought that he was a better candidate quite insulting. Even since he was promoted, I've added more to the department in terms of rolling out a new initiative that was my idea, when I don't think they've done anything yet bar a bit of extra admin. I was told I didn't have enough managerial experience to secure the role, but I don't buy that, as the more junior colleague hasn't either. It felt like they didn't want to tell me the real reason why I didn't get the job, and I can sort of see why. It's either because a) junior colleague has been making noises about moving to another school, b) I wasn't willing to go full-time, c) they don't like me for some other, unknown to me, reason.

So rant over, but WWYD? I feel like I'm not going to get a promotion unless I go full-time, as I know it's highly unlikely that a part-time TLR would be available at a different school. Has anyone made the leap from part-time classroom teacher to full-time with responsibility and found it OK? Or really regretted it? I like the students and my colleagues, the school is close to my home, and I don't really want to go full-time. I'm really worried about starting at a different school and hating it, but I'm sick of getting very little reward for everything I do, bar enthusiastic thanks. My HOF and Head are making noises about me doing all sorts of stuff for "experience", so I'm in a better position to apply for other roles. Tbh though I'm sick of doing extra for free, I've been doing that already. I feel undervalued and taken advantage of, but I don't want to leave in a huff and regret it if I hate a different school. AIBU for feeling this way? Is this just part of professional life and I need to get a grip?

OP posts:
Teachertotutor · 09/03/2022 16:46

I think you have two choices here. You either go full time, and will likely get the next promotion that comes up, or you need to accept that the school sees TLRs as things that go to full-time teachers, and in this case I would stop doing the extra stuff and try to enjoy being a part-timer with fewer responsibilities. I can see how frustrating it is. Think about why you do part-time? Do you see more of your kids? Do you have a hobby or job on your day off? If you enjoy being part-time and can afford to stay that way, then do, but accept it's unlikely you will be promoted as well.

Lilac57 · 09/03/2022 19:20

Thanks for your reply @Teachertotutor. I've been thinking about the over the last couple of days and that's pretty much the conclusion that I've come to. I'll go for a TLR whenever (if ever) I am ready to go full-time. For now I'm happy enough, staying part-time is more important than getting a TLR, I have a life! But I'll definitely stop doing extra stuff in the hope that I'll secure a TLR, as I think you're right, when I am ready to go full-time I should get one easily. It is really frustrating though, I feel like I could do these responsibilities perfectly well working 4 days a week, and I feel that I have a lot to offer. I'm not doing anything for free anymore though!

OP posts:
LyndaLaHughes · 13/03/2022 20:07

This is discrimination and unfair treatment against part timers and actually you would have every right to raise a grievance and contact your union or ACAS about it. Schools are not exempt from the right to flexible working and given most part time staff in school are female it counts as sex discrimination too so schools have to be careful around this.

LyndaLaHughes · 13/03/2022 20:08

So just to be clear schools are categorically NOT allowed to withhold promotions or TLRs etc from part time staff.

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