Opinions of HoDs and key stage leads needed please.

[enyemaka]

I started as a HoD in September. The curriculum I inherited is patchy in terms of how much of the national curriculum it covers (it just ignores things like writing skills for all bar a one half term unit in the whole key stage) and there is no standardisation of what is taught. As a new staff member, trying to follow just PowerPoints on the system has been trying tough as there are no schemes of learning - there isn’t even anything that states the intent of the topic.

However, in looking at these issues and trying to being to make improvements, I’m getting huge push back and I’m being treated (especially by SLT) as unreasonable. I’m worried that we’re missing out on skills and that if Ofsted were to come in, we’d be in trouble because of what is lacking.

In a recent line management meeting, I was asked if things like schemes of learning (to standardise teaching, make sure we’re teaching all skills equally and to support new staff in department) are actually necessary. Department staff don’t feel like any changes are needed and SLT are supporting them. Am I being unreasonable? I’m not setting useless admin work here.

It sounds as if you were brought in to sort the curriculum out but, if they are unhappy with your methods, I'd be asking SLT for suggestions for alternatives.

Are you going a bit quick?

When we did similar, we had staff meetings for every subject and the changes took all year.

Are you involving the subject leads on things like progression?

There isn’t a separate subject lead - it’s all me.

I don’t think I’m going quickly - looking at things termly. SLT are suggesting taking the team out for drinks etc to win hearts and minds but I’m struggling to see why that will apparently stop the issues. They like their curriculum and can’t see the weaknesses.

Can SLT give you inset time to sit down with your team and map what's already there against the NC and then look at progression? If it's not an extra job to be done in their own time they can't use that as a barrier to participation. If you work collaboratively, they will start to see the gaps for themselves - it would also give them a chance to tell you what's where, just in case things are there but are so buried you can't find them. Could you also show them how obsessed Ofsted are about progression? Hopefully, once they've realised for themselves the gaps that are there, they'll understand why you want to make changes.

Honestly, your SLT sound pretty bizarre. Have you actually gone to them with the national curriculum and highlighted the parts that are missing?

Are they aware of current ofsted requirements? Not having a scheme of work is pretty basic, and it makes it so hard for new staff.

But if they won't back you I think you're on a hiding to nothing- so I'd look for a school that would appreciate you, a lot will!

Honestly, your SLT sound pretty bizarre. Have you actually gone to them with the national curriculum and highlighted the parts that are missing?

I haven’t but I think I’m going to have to. As worried as I am about ofsted, I almost want them to rip into what’s currently there as a vindication.

No more time unfortunately. The last meeting was basically destroyed by one member who doesn’t understand the need for change. I’m going to need to try and find time for us to look at everything. I don’t know if me saying that these things are missing are annoying them - it’s been reported to SLT and the old HoD that I’ve said that the curriculum needs changing and those seem to be black marks against me.

Can you request a Deep Dive in your subject to back up what you're saying? Are you LA or part of a Trust?

We’re part of a trust. The next round of deep dives misses us, but I’ll be given an opportunity to discuss the curriculum then apparently. But
it’ll be an Ofsted run, rather than a ‘please help me figure this out’.

@enyemaka send a formal email to your HT and if you think they won't/don't listen, cc in the Director of Education for your trust. It will be more powerful if you can use the language of OFSTED around curriculum and leadership.
This will both formally lay out your concerns and hopefully galvanise a response.
Be aware though, every new HT/Business Manager/ Department Lead I come across tells me how bad it was before they arrived so be absolutely certain of your facts or they'll presume a level of hyperbole (I would!)

I feel for you as I have been there and it's really stressful and difficult. I had been a key stage lead in the school and tried to raise the issue then with no success.

I took over as HoF and tried again but still no luck. Team were difficult and obstructive and the SLT link was no help whatsoever. I left in the summer to take up HoF post elsewhere where I am supported and can actually work on the curriculum!

As suggested above - email head/SLT/whoever is relevant. Keep the emails as evidence.

Can you start very small? choose one upcoming unit for one year group. See if you can get the team on board with reviewing that one unit so that you can clarify, together, what exactly pupils need to know/be able to do. Then collaboratively plan together. Hopefully, that will make their workload easier when teaching that unit and may encourage them to see the benefits.

Also, consider what the school is like generally? One issue for me was that we were short staffed (whole school), SLT were trying to implement so many initiatives that everyone was overworked but nothing actually embedded properly. In other words, a lot of the issues were school wide rather than departmental which made it even harder.

My honest advice is try what I and others have suggested. If that doesn't work and you are not being supported, look elsewhere. It's not worth the stress - being HoD is hard enough!

I think tracking via email is sensible, thank you for that. Part of issue is that two members of SLT taught a unit each last year and felt that it was good so are ignoring the widespread issues. I’ve got a meeting with the MAT subject soon so I’ve got everything laid out to show him.

The general attitude of the school is tough too - low staff turn over means they’re very much stuck in their ways. New staff don’t seem to be very welcome unless they’re extrovert and join / do everything. That’s not me and that seems to be a sticking point.