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Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Original poster

Is a tlr worth it?

46 replies

Groovybiscuit · 31/03/2023 16:18

I’ve been at my current place for only a matter of months. It’s not great it doesn’t make me happy and kids can be extremely abusive. However, I only spent one year at my previous school due to being on an FT contract.
Given that actually this could look extremely diabolical on an application, should I just keep going, even if I’m unhappy? A local mat school are willing to offer quick tlr progression and I’m very torn!
Is a tlr really always worth it? Particularly in a mat whereby the deputy is best mates with the head and her motto before she was told to leave was that she’s not scared to challenge underperformance.

OP posts:
MrsHamlet · 31/03/2023 17:54

What are you asking?
Should you apply to a MAT? You have a thread about that.
Should you apply for a TLR? Depends what it is and whether you meet the criteria.
Any school that offers "quick progression" sounds to me like a place that burns staff out.

TortolaParadise · 31/03/2023 18:04

In a supportive school absolutely!

Original poster
Groovybiscuit · 31/03/2023 18:56

TortolaParadise · 31/03/2023 18:04

In a supportive school absolutely!

How do you figure out whether it is or is not, my ex manager said to me the turn around is high but they love to develop people. I know know how to take that really. The only thing holding me back was the old head who was gotten rid of for gross misconduct. I worry I’d there’s some serious SLT issues. When I spoke to the head they said they’re happy to support any development. But I suppose they have to say that, right?

Plus, am I being stupid by moving from one FT contract to a school I’m taking umbrage with in terms of behaviour - should I suck it up and continue one more year. I don’t know.

OP posts:
Original poster
Groovybiscuit · 31/03/2023 18:58

MrsHamlet · 31/03/2023 17:54

What are you asking?
Should you apply to a MAT? You have a thread about that.
Should you apply for a TLR? Depends what it is and whether you meet the criteria.
Any school that offers "quick progression" sounds to me like a place that burns staff out.

My apologies I’m asking both questions. Of course progression sounds great but I’ve seen this school pop up on two occasions over two years, therefore I’m wondering if actually there’s more serious issues. The head said they left to progress elsewhere, but they wouldn’t reveal the actual reasons for obvious reasons.

OP posts:
cansu · 31/03/2023 19:02

I would not take on a TLR unless
a) I needed the money
b) It was a stepping stone to something else
c) It was in a school I was happy with generally

I do have a TLR. It is hard work but I feel reasonable ish. If I didn't need the extra money, there is no way in hell I would be doing it.

MrsHamlet · 31/03/2023 19:11

If it's the same post, in both years, that would bother me.
Do you have enough experience to have a TLR?

Original poster
Groovybiscuit · 31/03/2023 19:16

cansu · 31/03/2023 19:02

I would not take on a TLR unless
a) I needed the money
b) It was a stepping stone to something else
c) It was in a school I was happy with generally

I do have a TLR. It is hard work but I feel reasonable ish. If I didn't need the extra money, there is no way in hell I would be doing it.

For me I see it as a stepping stone. I’d love to be a head of dept. As it would be a new school, I have no idea so I’d be stepping into unknown territory. What role do you play in your current work place for the tlr? On the whole what makes you say it’s not worth it?

OP posts:
cansu · 31/03/2023 19:33

I spend huge amounts of time on my HOD role. I now also have SLT responsibilities. I have little time for my own classes and am constantly solving other people's issues. I often have no time to sit down at break or lunchtime and still have a heavy teaching load. If I could afford it, I would stick to my own classes and have an easier life.

Original poster
Groovybiscuit · 31/03/2023 19:41

cansu · 31/03/2023 19:33

I spend huge amounts of time on my HOD role. I now also have SLT responsibilities. I have little time for my own classes and am constantly solving other people's issues. I often have no time to sit down at break or lunchtime and still have a heavy teaching load. If I could afford it, I would stick to my own classes and have an easier life.

I may be a complete weirdo but I enjoy that. I’d actually even love to mentor someone, even that would make me happy. Maybe I’m just odd!

OP posts:
MrsHamlet · 31/03/2023 20:24

What experience do you have?

QuickFoxRun · 31/03/2023 20:38

MrsHamlet · 31/03/2023 20:24

What experience do you have?

They have very little experience; groovybiscuit is snowflakewater’s latest account.

MrsHamlet · 31/03/2023 20:41

QuickFoxRun · 31/03/2023 20:38

They have very little experience; groovybiscuit is snowflakewater’s latest account.

Show quote history

I did rather assume that, to be honest. Which is why she's a) not answering me and b) about to have the thread deleted due to "privacy concerns"

TortolaParadise · 31/03/2023 21:06

Groovybiscuit · 31/03/2023 18:56

How do you figure out whether it is or is not, my ex manager said to me the turn around is high but they love to develop people. I know know how to take that really. The only thing holding me back was the old head who was gotten rid of for gross misconduct. I worry I’d there’s some serious SLT issues. When I spoke to the head they said they’re happy to support any development. But I suppose they have to say that, right?

Plus, am I being stupid by moving from one FT contract to a school I’m taking umbrage with in terms of behaviour - should I suck it up and continue one more year. I don’t know.

Show quote history

Sadly you won't know until you are in the thick of it.

WayDownInTheHole · 31/03/2023 21:19

MrsHamlet · 31/03/2023 20:41

I did rather assume that, to be honest. Which is why she's a) not answering me and b) about to have the thread deleted due to "privacy concerns"

Show quote history

It's relentless isn't it? The writing style is so distinctive, it's impossible for her to hide herself.

Honestly.

Original poster
Groovybiscuit · 31/03/2023 22:57

MrsHamlet · 31/03/2023 20:41

I did rather assume that, to be honest. Which is why she's a) not answering me and b) about to have the thread deleted due to "privacy concerns"

Show quote history

I’m not following? I was celebrating my grandads 90th birthday, he asked us to leave our phones at the door and I’ve had no access to my phone since I arrived, as my intentions were to make sure his day was special. I’ve been teaching for four years now. Quite a few people I currently work with have tlr’s offered to them during their third year, which is why I’d like to explore the idea and thought it would be sensible to gain some insight prior to jumping from the frying pan into the fire as they say.

OP posts:
Original poster
Groovybiscuit · 31/03/2023 22:59

TortolaParadise · 31/03/2023 21:06

Sadly you won't know until you are in the thick of it.

Show quote history

I think that aspect is the most worrying. The ex head teachers statement and motto will always be engrained in my mind. I distinctly remember her being extremely scathing towards a department ok the morning briefing. It was awful. I wonder if she would have changed at all. That’s why I’m hesitant to apply. I would kick myself if I made a bad decision because I would need to stand by this choice for at least two years.

OP posts:
Original poster
Groovybiscuit · 31/03/2023 23:56

#on the morning briefing# I should say.

OP posts:
JaffavsCookie · 01/04/2023 00:15

Really, tlrs in third year 😳
i love my tlr, it is a perfect fit for me. However i am in my second decade of teaching, and worked in a suitable relatable field for the previous 15 years.

Original poster
Groovybiscuit · 01/04/2023 00:27

JaffavsCookie · 01/04/2023 00:15

Really, tlrs in third year 😳
i love my tlr, it is a perfect fit for me. However i am in my second decade of teaching, and worked in a suitable relatable field for the previous 15 years.

I possibly need more experience. I’m not young haha but I probably need much more in the way of experience in the education sector. I’ve worked in a corporate setting before so to be honest, I always had a corporate drive in my mind. I like to have a goal to work towards.

Also yes, tlr’s in third year of teaching. Quite frankly, because there’s so many younger people coming into the profession amid a retention crisis, it’s probably the only incentive schools have to ensure the turnover rate isn’t flying through the roof!

OP posts:
ThrallsWife · 01/04/2023 06:51

As a TLR holder, it really depends on so many things, mainly the role you're looking to take on, the culture of the place you'll be working in and how willing you are to sacrifice other things.

Are you in secondary school? In a core subject? The TLR there will be different to, say, a primary school TLR, or that in an options subject.

I'm core/ secondary. The TLR has meant working weekends, holidays and additional hours almost every day. The HOD and I would be up, emailing/ messaging about yet another fire we needed to put out at 10pm some days, and then again at 7am in the morning. It wasn't worth the 4.7k extra a year, but I did it with a different goal in mind that I have now achieved; I was able to side-step into leadership without having to go the traditional route.

A colleague has gone for a TLR in a pastoral role and they will crash and burn just like everyone before them as you cannot do a pastoral job AND teach in my place. Same for the LAC coordinator and SEND roles we have, but much of that will depend on the number of students you're dealing with and the culture of your catchment area.

Oh, and I wouldn't touch a core subject HOD role with a bargepole unless you do not want a life outside school anymore. The demands are crazy.

TortolaParadise · 01/04/2023 07:38

The TLR holder is held to account by ofsted too. If your area/subject is chosen for a 'deep dive' you will be expected to know what is going on in every classroom in the school in your subject. How much leadership time comes with the role?

Not to put you off but from experience...
The culture of your school will determine your success. A TLR holder can be the most inspirational & aspirational person in the world but if the staff are against them/their subject.....that leader will never win/succeed. Culture! Culture! Culture! Sometimes staff are against you for no reason - before you have even entered the building and introduced yourself!

LolaSmiles · 01/04/2023 09:10

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

PumpkinPie2016 · 01/04/2023 16:54

I had 2 different TLRs in my last school. Secondary, core subject. Key stage leader first, then 2nd in faculty and HoD temporarily while the permanent HoD was on maternity leave. To be honest, it was a nightmare! We were constantly short staffed and had high staff turnover. So, it was hard to embed anything and we spent most days fighting fires due to the amount of cover. Little support and understanding from SLT about the challenges we were facing and more and more work expected regardless.

I am now a HoD in a different school and it couldn't be more different. No staffing issues and very supportive SLT and team. I feel like I can actually focus on curriculum and teaching and learning, plus enjoy my own teaching!

There are still tough days/weeks. It's a big responsibility to have, but I thoroughly enjoy it.

I would say, focus on finding a school you like first and settling in, then maybe look at a tlr. You never truly know about a school until you start, however, 2 in as many years isn't great and as a HoD, I would be wary.

TortolaParadise · 01/04/2023 19:21

I've seen too many people move up too quickly because their face fits and too many people have bad experiences because theirs didn't.

Could not agree more!

Hayliebells · 02/04/2023 22:00

"Quick TLR progression" is a red flag, because good schools that are good places to work don't have this. They can't, tlrs don't come up so regularly that they can offer them to all their new teachers. If this school is able to do that, they've likely got a very highly staff turnover, and a very high proportion of temporary and unqualified teachers. Therefore if you're not temporary, and you are qualified, you're able to get a TLR post. And a TLR most definitely does not make up for a shit working environment. If anything, more work and responsibility in a shit working environment is a recipe for disaster. I suspect this is not a good move.