Is it normal to move schools often as a teacher?

[MsWalterMitty]

I started in an sen school as an nqt and I’ve been here ever since… coming up to 3 years in Sept. I often thought that in order to progress my career then i should look at moving after the third year, particularly as I have little experience in mainstream.

But I’m happy where I am and due to having 2 children and a pretty active out of work life. I take very little work home, I’m well established and the kids know me well… it’s an semh school, so relationship are key to a happy work environment with these kids!

I’m not actually that interested anymore in furthering my career… certainly not at the moment with young children any way.

Is this Idea generally frowned upon in education? To not move our progress?

Stay for a while longer, that sounds brilliant!

I am no expert but I think positions like that which mean you can sustain your young family life are gold dust.

I am certainly lucky in that respect and I really don’t want to give that up!… The behaviour and learning challenges are much higher than in mainstream, but they are small classes, and high staff levels which helps

I have worked in two places - did 5 years at one and coming up to 6 years at the current one. I am moving on this year for a promotion but if I hadn't found the right thing, I would have stayed.

How did you find the that move after the first five years @PumpkinPie2016 ? I think that is one if the worries I have.

I feel like I should move on for cpd/experience/progression/fear of becoming institutionalised but don’t really want to due to comfort/stability

I stayed at my first school for 9 years, I would have stayed longer if there hadn’t been a culture shift. If you like it then definitely stay, you’ll know when it’s time to move on (if you ever do!)

There's not much opportunity for movement where I live - virtually no permanent jobs and not many schools within an easy travelling distance. Also not much suitable public transport.

When I lived in England I was told that they wouldn't think much of somebody who was still at the same school after 5/6 years as it didn't show any ambition. I didn't dare mention that it wasn't unknown here for a teacher to work in the same school for their entire career. I've known 2 teachers who spent 40 years teaching the same stage in the same classroom

I'd be a bit a someone looking for new jobs just 2 yrs 6 months in.
That's no time at all.

Some teachers stay in the same school for 20 years or more. Some all their careers.
Personally I think it is good to move and challenge yourself and also experience different places, but I'd still expect someone to do a good few years before doing that unless they'd started at a horrendous school.
The fact you have all the positives you've listed makes it even stranger to be thinking of moving.

@Kite22

I'd be a bit a someone looking for new jobs just 2 yrs 6 months in. That's no time at all.

Some teachers stay in the same school for 20 years or more. Some all their careers.
Personally I think it is good to move and challenge yourself and also experience different places, but I'd still expect someone to do a good few years before doing that unless they'd started at a horrendous school.
The fact you have all the positives you've listed makes it even stranger to be thinking of moving.

My main reasons for looking for other jobs were for progression and experience. You answer is what I’m looking for from this thread as I’m not sure what the optimum time frame in a school is. Thanks

I think 2-3 years is a very short time in a school. I would be concerned if I saw your CV you don't have the staying power. Minimum 5 years looks better.

Stay! I did 7 years in my first school, and 8 in my second. I’ve now just started at my third school. Both moves were a promotion, and I’m now SLT. If your work/life balance is sorted, then don’t even think about moving!

@MsWalterMitty it was a really good move. I was nervous about moving as I was well established there and I guess it's always a risk. However, I could see there was no progression as people didn't tend to move.
I moved, have gained 2 promotions in 6 years and developed my experience which has been amazing.

I'm moving at the end of this year for a promotion.

Thanks. I received an invitation to an interview for next week but I’m going to turn it down as I’m not ready to leave where I am just yet.

This is interesting. When I first started 3 ish years in your first school was ok and you were greatly encouraged to move on. I did 4.
I have since stayed in my 2nd for 10 years now but does include 2 mat leaves. I wonder about moving on but it would have to be for the right reasons. I'm looked after quite well at this school (in some ways). I've interviewed for one, but didn't get it. Been to visit others in response to a job advert but they weren't quite right. If I find the right place, I may move.

In my school however, people can move up the ladder very quickly. 4/6 of our SLT have all been NQT's at the school.

In the private sector moving on every two years gives you a great CV, chances to build on your experience and increase pay. Teaching is so different and not seen as positively. I'll be leaving at the end of this year after 7 years in my first school whereas in my previous career I wouldn't have spent longer than 2 years in a job before moving on. Teaching changes so much and very quickly. I don't think it's expected to move on so quickly as you can always change year groups, move up the pay scale or do some cpd. But there's nothing wrong with wanting to try a new school if there's no movement in your current one

I left my first school after one year.
Others have been between three and eight years.

Mine have been- 4 years, 17 years and 5 years.

Nice school working environments are few and far between. I had a great NQT year and then moved to a new town and the next school was horrific - staff change over was through the roof. I found a much nicer place to work down the road, most of the staff have been there for years and years because they are happy there. No chance I would risk that by moving again for the sake of experience. If you’ve found somewhere where you are happy I suggest you stay put.

I have been 5years, 16 years and 4 years. The final one was a step down, not a promotion but it was the best decision ever.

20 years and 8 years here. Will probably do another 5 years then call it a day or become a TA.

I did almost ten years in my first school and only left for a secondment - I needed to know I could return if I wanted to! In the event, the secondment was enough to persuade me there was life beyond that school.