Capability procedure

[ohdeerohdear]

I've been put onto informal capability support for 6 weeks. I had no idea this was going to happen. I do not believe that I am underperforming. I've had 2 short 10 min observations this academic year- one with incomplete feedback and the second one with no feedback. What does this mean? I want to ask them why I've been put onto this?

Have you been given any paperwork? You need to ask your union rep to accompany you to any meeting about this.

You need to speak with your union asap.

I've been given my appraisal paperwork which is all very vague and a copy of the capability policy.
I'm not in a union.

It's far too late now, I'm afraid, but this is why you need to be in a union.

You need to know exactly what the problems with your performance are, what success will look like, and how they are going to support you in meeting the targets. It should all be set out very clearly, with a clear review date and interim steps.

Eeek! Why aren’t you in a union?! This is a warning to anyone else reading to join one.

If the union rep in your school is friendly / helpful, they may be able to support you by explaining the processes etc (not directly supporting you, but discussing it, helping you understand, etc)

With or without someone else’s help, you need to get organised:

• your contract
• copy of the performance management policy
• copy of your PMA/PGA (whatever your school calls it) and any paperwork from observations etc
• copy of the ‘informal plan’

Then go through it all really carefully, ask someone (HR? Head’s PA? Someone knowledgable!) to explain anything you don’t understand.

And, truthfully, I’d also start looking for another job now. They want you out. Better to jump than be pushed?

I jumped.

Are you okay?

Hope you're okay x

Just out of curiosity, how old are you?

Older I bet.

41
UPS2
Started there May 2023

I'm fine thank you. It's a relief but I'm angry that I was pushed out as I actually loved working there.

geewhizzpop are you also ohdearohdear? Hope you got a payout an agreed reference

@geewhizzpop that's really not old. If you'd said mid 50's I wouldn't have been surprised.

Mid 50s isn't old either.But yes more likely to be pushed.ageism really huge in teaching.

Mid 50s. I just jumped. Absolute load of tosh as to why I was deemed to be on a plan. Kids were above target and making amazing progress but my face didn't fit due to cost planning wasn't good enough (despite being classed as outstanding by OFSTED)

It's happens to too many people..

I was 53 and I jumped. I was lucky to land in a school where I couldn't have been happier. I took a big pay cut, but so worth it for job satisfaction, happiness and general sanity!

I jumped… to international teaching. Always wanted to do it and it was the kick I needed. I should thank them really!

Oh, I was 39