Subject Co-ordinator - core subject - part time.

[IgnoranceNotOk]

So I’ve been forced into leading a core subject (main payscale only) for the last few years which I did ask to stop but was told no one else could do it. I’ve done it very well, however I’m having to drop back down to 0.4 in September (been 0.6 this year so worked my butt off with the subject in the hope to keep at least the extra day). What I’ve been offered is what I’d already told them I’m unable to do due to childcare issues on certain days; so it looks like I’ll just drop back to two days!

Surely they can’t make me keep a core subject? It’s just ridiculous- we’re due an inspection next year and this subject will be a huge amount of work still and when I’ll be there less than half the week I’ll probably not even be there when the inspection happens!

Does anyone know if I have any rights to have a foundation subject on a 0.4 contract and not a core subject?

thanks 😫

All our core subjects are managed by slt who are all full time.

If your school follows STPCD you absolutely do have rights, you shouldn't be responsible for a subject without an appropriate TLR or Leadership position. If they don't follow STPCD, it maybe that your contract is very similar anyway. I know lots of primary schools do make teachers do this for no extra money, but the STPCD is very clear, it is not allowed. You could refuse, and your union would back you.

We do follow the STPCD.
The union have said I shouldn’t have to do it but legally it doesn’t seem like they can’t make me be a co-ordinator.

Union told me to ask if there’s a TLR going for it (without laughing) and if the head wants a meeting then they will be there.

I just want a non-core subject now and to look for a new job.

We don't get paid for leading a subject but do get an afternoon every half term to manage it. I think it's caretaking it rather than being responsible for the level of attainment.

I'm 0.7, lead 3 subjects (one core, two foundation and was just deep dived in one) and am the SENCO... Life in a small school has taught me there's not any real guidance on what you can be asked to do because it would basically mean some schools couldn't run. Is what is being asked of you unfair in comparison to your full time colleagues do you think? How much do you actually need to do for the subject next year, can you just maintain a lot of the work you've put in this year?

Do you do all of that on main pay scale?

No it is not fair in comparison to the full time teachers at my school as the only one who has a core subject is full time and has a TLR.

I shouldn’t have to just maintain it and at 0.4 there shouldn’t be the expectation to at all.

The union have been great though and said I don’t have to do it in any form and they’ll come in for a meeting if my head tries to push it. I can just say no.

There is guidance, it's in the STPCD. Yes schools ignore it because they think that they have no choice, but they get away with it due to goodwill, not a lack of guidance.

I've heard that before but I just don't understand how it marries up with with Ofsted expectations. There is a certain amount of work that needs to be done and who else would do it? We don't have a deputy with non-contact time. Our head is only contracted for 2.5 days a week. They already lead 3 subjects themselves anyway.

I did two years ago yes, and I now only get 0.7 of the SENCO allowance due to being part time. Even teachers on M2 or 3 have to lead three subjects (not sure if ECTs can subject lead, but post NQT year they had to).

I think the fact yours isn't in step with your colleagues' responsibilities is key. I'm glad you're union is being supportive. Be careful if they try to offer you a TLR to match your colleague as you'll only get 0.4 of it.

It doesn’t. But the STPCD is the contact of employment, it has legal weight whereas Ofsted expectations do not. A teacher could take a school to an employment tribunal for failure to follow the STPCD, and they’d win. There’d be no legal ramifications for failure to fulfil the requirements of an Ofsted inspection, beyond the statutory safeguarding obligations. Headteachers may well wish that the contract of employment allowed them to pass subject responsibility onto their staff without a TLR, as they don’t have a budget for it, and they need subject leaders for Ofsted, but they fact of the matter is, it does not. It’s then on them, as a leader, to come up with another way to persuade their staff to voluntarily take that on. Compulsion is not legally possible.