Leaving but ofsted are imminent

[mumnosbest]

So I've taken the leap, handed in my notice and am leaving teaching. I work in a terrible academy and school, awful class, behaviour, shared planning, procedures are all awful, my heart's not in it and I can't wait to go at Christmas. My problem is Ofsted are overdue and I know when they come it will be a disaster. I really can't face them if they come and after 20+ years of good teaching, I want to leave on a high (at least as far as memories and confidence go). If the call comes, should I just be poorly that day, I owe them nothing or should I suck it up and be part of their failure? 😬

I hate to break it to you… but you are part of the failure

how long have you been at the school

And how will you be “leaving on a high”

from a school you think is utter shite and you “owe them nothing”

doesn’t sound like much of a “high” to me

Leaving on a high as in teaching has always been good and have some great memories. The school has been fab for years (10+) but since it academies it's gone down hill and I'm powerless to do anything about it. I'd rather leave with my memories and the confidence I still have in my own abilities, before things get worse.

*academised

I would definitely stick it through rather than jumping ship. That really isn’t leaving on a high

Should probably add, I jobshare with a full-time member of SLT so wouldn't be leaving them without a teacher.

so 🤷‍♀️ you’ve got your internal justification lined up for throwing a sickie… so do it.

Would I throw an sickie? After 10 years plus at a school, presumably close to some colleagues and pupils…. Hell no I wouldn’t

My close friends/colleagues have already been let go or pushed out and replaced. I give my all to my kids but have very little left. This is another reason I am leaving. I actually think an honest inspection would be beneficial to the school and hopefully they will have to make some changes. I just don't have the energy to be part of that change. Been there before and it's bloody hard work!

Your decision has clearly been made so 🤷‍♀️

It actually hasn't. I will probably go in anyway as I find it hard to call in sick even when I am sick but am dreading it and don't see the point of me being part of it, other than being a body in front of a class and an easy get out for the other half if my teacher role.

Have you had the call yet? Don't worry about a problem that doesn't exist yet...

Thanks. No not yet but we're well overdue. Fingers n toes crossed they won't come until the spring.

I couldn't do that I don't think, you clearly have strong feelings about what's gone wrong so why not go in, ace your lessons, give it your all but also be truthful about the weaknesses. Even if you're not part of the change the kids you presumably care about will benefit from it.

Assuming you are leaving at Christmas, I think there's every chance you won't get the call even if you are "due"- I wouldn't worry about the problem until it happens, if possible, and see how you feel on the day when the call has come in.

I know quite a few schools who've been inspected about a term or so later than expected, so I wouldn't assume Ofsted are going to come until Spring or Summer. Have any other schools in the area had the call?

Sorry to hear you sound ground down. You clearly have stamina and love teaching to have been doing it for 20 years. Show Ofsted and most of all, the kids, what you are made of. Every day, until you leave. You'll go out on a high this way. And yes be truthful and dignified in any feedback asked of you, it may show pattterns others have noticed.
Good luck for your next chapter! ☕

tryingtorunagain thanks for your kind words. I am ground down and fed up but luckily have found another job (part-time for now) that I love and my ideas are valued. It's really boosted my self confidence and made me reassess everything. I am trying to give my last couple of months my all but fed up of jumping through hoops. It's such a shame as I used to love this job and can see so many better ways to do things, if only teachers were given a little trust and autonomy.

We were due at the beginning of the summer term, so they really could come any day. I will certainly give it my best until I leave but there's very little room for me to show my teaching at it's best. Everything is scripted and lifted directly from schemes for the sake of fidelity and consistency. Where things aren't working, we have to stick with it as it's all paid for.

I don’t really get the point of why you’re posting on here?
You are leaving anyway - what impact is this going to have on your career? You are not the Headteacher or SLT so it wouldn’t really be impactful long term - just stressful short term.

Has there been any indication of OFSTED looming -
It’s 6 weeks till the end of term - I mean it is possible but the reality is - most likely not -
there are 1000s of other schools they can attend and the RI’s are what will be prioritised.
Just keep going to work every day and doing the job you are paid to do - as simple as that.

I’m a HT myself (leaving August 2024) and my last ofsted was June 2017 so I’m expecting them before I retire too - I hope they do as I know my school is in a good place and will be good to have one more good accolade to the school under my leadership.

If you’re a classroom teacher (as opposed to SLT or middle management) then I doubt OFSTED will make a huge difference to your day. They might come in and watch a bit of your lesson, but there’s no individual feedback any more, and it’s harder than it used to be to recognise yourself in the report. I’d suggest just go in, keep your head down, treat it like a normal day.

Thanks both. No visit yet but they have visited 2 other trust schools over the last fortnight. Our school is not on the best place right now. Leadership are good at writing procedures and ticking boxes but there's no real impact on learning and behaviour. In addition teachers are tied to scripts and schemes so have no control either. It all feels quite helpless.