Just moved back home after 20 odd years living abroad. Primary teacher trained (qualified before moving and had a few years under my belt before moving away) and have worked in schools as a teacher whilst I have lived abroad.
I’m a maternity cover til Xmas. However, another member of staff has just given notice of their retirement and I’m wondering about applying.
However, I’m put off as the Business Manager is part of the SLT. There is the Head, and two deputies also SLT (one form entry; one deputy in KS1 and one in KS2).
I’ve not had much to do with the BM on the whole. But I have noticed the other staff seem to walk on egg shells around her. I can’t quite put my finger on it. (There is no egg shell walking around the deputies!)
The Head clearly rates the BM though. The BM attends safeguarding meetings and attendance meetings with the attendance officers (are they still called that?!) along with Head and sometimes the SEN Lead.
She also sends emails to the teaching staff. Examples of the emails the BM sends are letting us know if hall use (day/time) needs to be changed around, letting us know if facilities aren’t being kept to standard (cupboards and equipment not being kept orderly etc) and advising there isn’t enough budget for X so Y takes priority (I’m not suggesting she has taken this decision unilaterally but that obviously she is the one who does the accounts and counts the beans so assume she will go to Govs and Head to set it out).
All that got me thinking, is it normal to have BM as SLT?
I ask as I am bothered about how the other staff can be around her and don’t know if that just because she can be stand off ish or because she maybe she oversteps and they are uncomfortable.
I thought a BM was responsible for the accounts, Risk Assessments, facilities (so kitchen, Caretaker), building maintenance etc.
Are the other activities normal too?
Thank you!