Is your school like this?

[KPJ08]

Hello,

I am in my 4th year as a Primary school teacher. I want to know if some of the things that happen in my school is normal. I personally believe our headteacher is incredibly toxic and does many things that I don't agree with. (I won't get into some of the - in my opinion- really bad things, but some of the other smaller issue first)

Is your school very strict with the timetable or is flexibilty allowed on teacher judgement? For example, my English lesson ran over today and therefore I did Isingpop (Classroom worship) slighly later (10mins later). I got a long email from the head saying she was 'concerned' and that I should let her know if any timetable changes occur beforehand. However, I didn't plan the change and used my teacher judgement that it was important to finish our English lesson.

I have lots more scenerios where this one comes from but thought I would start with this one.

Thanks :)

Personally, I wouldn't say that was a normal reaction from the headteacher. It sounds very micro-managery...

Thanks. I thought this. I also think her sole purpose of coming around at that time was to “catch people out” which i think creates a negative atmosphere where staff will feel anxious.

She sounds like an idiot of a headteacher. She can’t be very clever if she doesn’t understand that when kids are in full flow and making progress, the lesson should be extended at the cost of something else less pressing. Not a complex concept.

God no, my school is nothing like that. We used to have half hour morning breaks whenever we felt like it if everyone was getting on well with their work. There's too much curriculum to get through now but no one ever told us to stop. The headteacher was often there with us 😂I swap lesson timings about on a pretty much daily basis. We don't have double form entry though where consistency is more important.

Those sort of head teachers are just miserable to work for. No, not every school is like that but there's plenty who are sadly.

I could swap my lessons round and my HT wouldn't bat an eye lid - for example doing science this afternoon because it snowed (looking at weather) instead of history.

I work in a lovely school with a HT that lets us all (mostly) get on with it.

Thank you for your honest comments. I have done leadership course and it talks alot about creative a positive atmposhere of trust and I think she does the opposite. Alot of the teachers feel really anxious when she walks in the room as it is often followed up by a negative email. I am in two minds if i should confront her about this (and other issues). I just don't think she is a very receptive person and is unlikely to listen/change and therefore would be pointless. Should I just look for a new school?

Why do these people become head teachers?Is it a power trip?

That’s mad! Teachers in my school have totally autonomy over their timetable. As long as they cover the curriculum, I don’t mind when they do it. I’d far rather they extended a lesson to ensure good learning, based on their professional judgement, than stop the lesson because of timetabling. Teachers are professionals and they should be treated as such.