Is this normal- timetable?

[bridgetjonesmassivepants]

We got given our timetable three days before school finishes for summer.I am a core subject, always had a full range of year groups including GCSE and have always got really good results.

Next year I have only Years 7 and 8 so no GCSE at all. Is this normal in other schools?

Also am I right in thinking this isn't good for my career to be so out of the loop at KS4?

That is unusual and something I always avoided as a head of department. Not everyone would have an exam class every year but those who didn't have y11 would have y10. Are you part-time?

I'm a core HoD and agree this is very unusual, unless there are performance issues. However, if you have always got good results, that isn't the case.

The only other reason is if, for example, you were going on maternity leave at say, Oct half term and they wanted exam classes to have consistency. A member of my department one year asked me to avoid giving her Y11 or 13 as she was due to have a major operation and didn't want them disrupted. Since you haven't said, I assume there is nothing similar?

I would speak to whoever has timetabled it and ask why. Timetabling is hard but as a HoD I always try to be fair and ensure everyone has a mix of classes/year groups.

Yes, I thought this was odd. I am part time but the only day I don't work is Friday and this is flexible.

Feel like I am being managed out as it wasn't even discussed or explained, my timetable was just left on my desk.

What does your department look like?

In one school I worked in, we had a lot of SLT in the department. Together with the HOD and DHOD, they creamed off all the top sets, A-level and GCSE sets between themselves, leaving KS3 and the bottom sets to everyone else.

The reasoning? They needed more time to get their job done, and quieter lessons would enable them to work on other stuff during lesson time, while also enabling them to take on the odd kid who got kicked out of other lessons.

It didn't spread the load fairly at all and led to members of staff quitting because they'd been given all the stressful sets.

A big change like this happening without a discussion first isn't ok. It's leaves you wondering why. Is there a member of SLT you trust that you can approach to ask what's going on?

Timetable been awful this year in many departments.Lots of split classes etc. KS4 timetabled when specialist is off. Ridiculous

You are right Elendel, our department is very SLT heavy. All SLT are being made to teach more lessons instead of whatever the hell it was that they used to now so now it's easy to work out that we are overstaffed.

They have creamed off all the good stuff and left me with seven and eight with no discussion or explanation.

Well, there is an easy solution that I can think of if they are overstaffed, I can look for a new post and leave as soon as I find something that suits.

Think this is the last straw!