Apply or not?!

[hollyivysaurus]

I’m going around in circles with this!

I currently work part time in a school that has shocking behaviour (will likely fail Ofsted next time) - I’m sworn at quite frequently, there are fights most days etc. However some of the kids are brilliant, my department is really good and the head is fantastic with staff (I’ve been given time off with no questions asked to attend my child’s nativity etc, never had any problems having days off with my children when poorly), and I’ve been put up to UPS without any argument. I’m fairly well respected as a teacher and this probably sounds daft but I’ve been here quite a few years and I know where everything is / who to ask about things, most of my lessons fit our schemes of learning currently so minimal planning.

I’ve recently seen a job at a nearby good school (it’s failed ofsted on a technicality, suspect it will improve again very rapidly) that’s part time, I know that behaviour is significantly better there, and the job is just teaching my specialism. I’m tempted to apply, but I keep going back and forth on it. I don’t know anything about the SLT there and I’ve worked for a hideous headteacher before (leaving that job was like leaving a bad relationship, genuinely took me a few years to get over it and I nearly left teaching). I feel like I do like where I am, the behaviour just bugs me - but not sure it’s worth the risk of working for an unsupportive SLT again!!

Any advice welcome, I think DH is fed up if listening to me about it!

I think you need to find out more about the potential new school. Do you know anyone who works there or has children there?

Might be worth interviewing to see the school a bit more and get a sense. You can ask questions at interview too and answers can be very telling. You can always reject the job offer.

Supportive slt every time. The slt make or break the school.

I would apply and take it from there. Was in a similar situation to you, except my old school was also a long commute. So more reason to want to leave in my case tbh.

Thanks for replying! I don’t know anyone who works there, it’s in the next county over. I’m going to ask one friend who may know someone there as she trained in that area. It would definitely be useful to know more.

Commute is about equal, current school is probably a little quicker at rush hour but there’s not much in it.

I’m genuinely really torn, every time I’ve moved on previously there’s been a really clear reason, either moving area or leaving a horrendous school. It’s a weird position to be in!

I’m leaning towards applying but ideally finding out about the SLT somehow - I never want to work like a school in my last one again. Honestly didn’t believe adults behaved like that until I experienced it, it’s definitely made me more wary of leaving a school with a considerate head and supportive SLT.

I’ve wanted to bounce this off my colleagues all day but couldn’t so thanks for listening to me ramble on here