Applying to a MAT?

[Groovybiscuit]

Currently working in a two school mat (not sure if that counts as a mat but there’s more than one and it’s an academy).

The new school that I’m looking at looks brilliant! Great facilities, great progression opportunities (although my assistant head said he worked there and the turnaround was high as they like to offer lots of leadership uplifts but no support). There’s a leadership shake up though so that could be too. However a Big con being someone in leadership there.

I recall him being sacked for school for gross misconduct and forcing people in during covid many moons ago at my PGCE school. He is best friends with the ex/current head. This deputy heads motto at the last school was (when he was head) “if you don’t want to work here. I’ll get someone else in simple as.” And the other motto was also “not afraid challenge you if you cannot perform”

I‘m actually still very interested in the school. But I can’t decide whether that particular leader could cause tension/ruffle feathers?

Also- are regular vacancies a big red flag? This is the second year running this role has been advertised, they said it’s due to teachers moving into leadership roles elsewhere but again, I can only go by what I am told.

To add to the above, I have tried to weigh up the pros and cons for both schools and I’m rather torn.

MAT, new leadership, regular vacancies, high staff turnover, people promoted and then given no support, plus a leader who says they'll just replace people if they don't work out?

Yeah, I'd run a mile, personally, sorry.

My experience of schools posting adverts over and over- even if it's due to promotion - is that you'll end up in a short staffed department and honestly it'll be a nightmare!

It’s hard because I know that the kids are really well behaved, and that’s obviously a massive positive for me. Couple of issues for me were of course the attitude I remember from working alongside this head, people actyally got together with unions and had them removed and replaced. The other question that surprised me was “are you ready for a tlr too” I said I’m not sure but it would be something to consider. Then the head said mid convo “right so tell me what else you can do please what other skills are up your sleeve”

As I said I’m sort of part of a MAT now so I know some of the issues I’ll most likely face.

But having weighed out my pros and cons I came to the conclusions below:

Pros of current place:
Head of faculty challenges the upper leadership at times which I’ve never seen before
Small school less kids
Not constantly checked my upper management what everyone is teaching although closer to ofsted it seems common

Cons;
Poor behaviour
Upsetting comments about my appearance from kids
Unsupportive upper management

Pros of new school (that I know of )

Headteacher was selling progression and said it’s something they push
Outstanding reports from ofsted
Good curriculum
Shorter hours and go home if free

Cons:
Lots of staff
Being a small fish in a big pond
An ex head teacher who used to say “not afraid to challenge underperformance “ along with “if you don’t like it here I’ll find someone to replace you” regularly in morning meetings. They’re now the deputy head at this new school and best friends with people there

This is where I’m torn. I’m not sure whether I should keep developing where I am.