Teaching job offer rescinded by new school and it was explained that my current head teacher rated many aspects of my performance as poor. How can I go on about applying to more jobs with such a reference?

[Se12345]

Some of you will recognise this thread because of previous thread. I have an update on the reference. Both my current employer (head teacher) and the prospective school who have now rescinded their offer will not show me the reference. But in a response the prospective school said “many aspects of your performance was rated poor”.

how can I be rated “poor” in many aspects of my performance and have no idea that this could be happening.

only conversation I remember having with the head teacher was based on my behaviour management and how she realises I’ve got too many challenging children and that I really need to come out of the early years thinking and how they understand it’s not a easy transition moving from EYFS to teach a mixed classroom.

Only been working at this school for 5 months and only been observed once by the head teacher and only was ever given one feedback.

how can she rate almost of aspects of my performance as poor?

Why was I not made aware that I was doing so poorly and they were worried about me?

What do I do now, never ever get a job in teaching again? I finished my ECT for nothing?

How do I not use my current school as reference and explain the gap?

Sorry to hear you are in this situation.
a real tough one as it seems your current HT has gaslighted you here somewhat.

I’d be glad to get out and wouldn’t even consider working in an environment like that - you could try and get a long term supply contract in another school or could you go back to your training school? Do they have vacancies?

They should have addressed the issues with you.

I’m sorry, you have to give your current headteacher as one reference as a safeguarding measure.

You need union advice on this. They will be able to advise but it should be possible to get hold of the reference via an SAR under GDPR legislation. The union will also be able to advise on your exit strategy and may help you to negotiate an agreed reference as part of your departure from the school.

I'm so sorry you're going through this. If your performance was considered that bad you would be on a support plan. Also, IF you were that bad (I'm really sure you're not) I'm sure the head would be rubbing her hands with glee to be 'rid of you' (for want of a better phrase) so easily. By giving a bad reference, they are keeping you which makes zero sense IF you were performing badly.

You need to get your union involved. I'd assume GDPR laws would ensure you do have a right to see the reference. We have a right to see all information companies (ie this new school in this case) hold on us. Something isn't right here.

I posted on your previous thread. Glad you’ve found the Staffroom now.

A cynic might think the old head deliberately gave a bad reference so that she could hold you to the longer notice period.

I’m not sure you can do much about it now though. Union, definitely. SAR request at both schools, maybe.

Beyond that, it feels like you’re slightly stuck. You could do supply (so that most recent head is not this one for reference reasons) but that would slow down your ECT.

Speak to your union about this. A good union rep will be able to negotiate a good reference for you.

The latest update is that now all head teachers across the trust have been advised that they are not able to make comments on employees that have worked only a short time. And they tried to reassure my union representative that my future references they will be giving should cause no problem. Ofcourse can’t get me the job back but made some change.