Forced out

[timeforchange1233]

I've been moved to another school in our trust. I didn't ask or apply for the move and I'm so gutted about it.

On paper, I shouldn't be. It's a promotion, more money and more responsibility. The people are lovely and there's not a lot to moan about....

Except, the reason for the move. I've been at the previous school for a long time and was promised the DHT post - off the record of course, but you know how these conversations go - when it came up.

The powers that be then decided to shake us all up and moved me, and replaced the role I was promised.

The school I've been at for a long time got a new head a few years ago and we instantly clashed; I'd challenge on things I believed to be wrong, always professionally and with evidence based alternatives to offer. It didn't make me popular, I admit, but it worked and the head usually went with my suggestions and trusted my judgement.

I fear I've been moved as my face didn't fit, despite doing a good job, leading the school to fab outcomes and progress and getting us to 'good'.

I realise my performance can't be in question, or I wouldn't have been promoted and given all the above at my new school, but it hurts, and I'm struggling to get over it. I didn't want to leave and feel pushed for personal reasons, not professional ones. Gossip in schools can be vile, but there's enough going around about all this to back up how I'm feeling... no smoke without fire!

I've asked for a rationale, and haven't received one.

Can I do anything about this? It seems so unjust!

TIA

No, you may have to move on and start again.

I have wondered the same

You are not allowed to challenge or have an opinion. Sit quietly, smile and nod! Those who toe the line succeed - even when the line is threadbare. Sad but sooooo true.

Try to focus on the positives of the move, it's a new challenge etc. Give it some time to settle and then if you're still not happy, look for a different school.

Ignore the gossip - there is often smoke without fire.

What does your contract say about moving between schools in the trust? Is this an optional move, compulsory move or ‘strongly recommended’? I don’t think a school can force you to take a promotion as that is a different role.

If it isn’t the right role / school for you then don’t take it. Contact ACAS / your union for contract advise.

If you current school has turned toxic then it could be a great new start. Or it could be a stop gap, gain some new experience for your CV and look for alternatives.

Surely the DHT post should go to fair and open competition, it shouldn’t be in their gift to offer it to you or imply the job would be yours. Of course, valueing your contribution and encouraging you to apply is another matter.

What did your contract state, were you employed by the previous school or was there a clause to state you could be moved to other schools in the trust? What about the promotion to your current role - surely you had to accept that? I think it’s likely you have now left it too late to challenge, either settle in to the new job or find a better one. Maybe in time they will regret letting you go.

If you are unhappy with the way all of this has been handled, do speak to your union. It may depend on the precise wording of the contract as to whether they can actually ask you to do this.

I do think there's not much you can do about the DHT job, as it wasn't in writing, and the post really should be advertised, anyway.

It might be better to reframe the situation in terms of positives- a new school, a fresh start, and it sounds like an upwards move for you. But equally, if there are some real negatives (e.g. much longer commute) then there should be some acknowledgement of this.

If the gossip is very negative about you personally, then it may be worth raising this with the head?

I can think of several occasions where there has been absolutely billowing smoke with zero fire, tbh. Staffroom gossip is the worst. Would you really have wanted to be handed a DHT job without a genuinely competitive recruitment process?

I don’t want to minimise your feelings but I don’t see much in your OP to suggest that you have been managed out. You are a proven leader with a good record of improved outcomes and you have shown that you are willing to speak truth to power. It makes perfect sense the the trust would want to replicate your positive impact in another setting. You may not get on with the newish headteacher but you say that they listened to you, went with your suggestions, and trusted your judgement. Bluntly, what more did you want from them?

Thanks for your replies; it wasn't my intention to appear ungrateful for the promotion, of course, I am. My gripe, if I can call it that, it's that I didn't want to leave the school I was at. I am happy there, well settled and have lovely relationships with the families. I am by nature a creature of habit, not a massive fan of change when I don't need to. I guess I feel like a pawn for the trust. In a way we all are I suppose, to put our skills where they're needed, and to an extent I understand that. But, IMO, schools function best with a stable staff that know the children and families well; moving staff around doesn't achieve that.

As for promotions being handed out without robust process, where I am in the country, with lots of ever growing academy trusts around, internal promotions are very common, advertised internally, with the people/person desired had a quite word with to ensure they apply. Seeing a AHT or DHT post externally advertised is not that common, I always keep an eye on what's around just to be aware of potential opportunities, there's never much at all and hasn't been for a long time. 4-5 years ago, they spring term would have been really busy with SLT posts coming up. Even when one comes up, it almost always goes to someone already at the school.

That’s incredibly poor practice. HT and DHT roles should be advertised externally unless the governing body have a very good reason why not.

You can check your contract and consult
your union but in my experience it is quite normal for senior staff to be moved around trusts (and it isn’t new - local authorities could and did do this with maintained schools). It might be best to use the promoted role as a springboard for a further promotion. You may well be able to find something for a January start.

The culture of 'growing you own' leaders in trusts has become the norm here from what I've seen. I could name at least 5 examples within the last 2-3 years that I know of though contacts and friends working in various local schools around me - the post has gone to the favored internal candidate every time.

But on the other hand, if a school/trust has invested in training and coaching that person, is that the right thing for the continuity of the school ethos & standards?

Appointing a suitable internal candidate after a genuinely competitive recruitment process is pretty much always fine. I’m referring to your observation that DHT posts aren’t being advertised externally; this is more problematic. DHT vacancies are supposed to be treated like HT vacancies in terms of advertising etc.

Perhaps it's just coincidence, or I haven't been as observant as I thought, or people haven't moved on as frequently as they used to in previous years, maybe linked to covid.... people not taking as many risks etc.

I have just been forced out after 4 years of this sort of thing. I too was on UPS and had been at my school for in excess of 15 years. Being litigious and outraged by the behaviour of management (lies as well as trumped up charges) I intend to take matters further - i.e. court. It would be tremendously helpful if there are others out there who have been treated similarly to you (or, as in my case, put under investigation for matters that 'may lead to disciplinary action') if you could get in contact.
Put shortly, I intend to put a stop to this if I can. And if I can't to make such a row about it that it becomes a national scandal. If you get in touch send me contact details and then I will send you mine.

Sorry - ignore my message - I posted to the wrong thread.