Workplace bullying in schools

[ClassOf2025]

Has anyone experienced workplace bullying when working in a school? I’m feeling quite alone in this.

We had a change in leadership this year. I’ve gone from being capable and respected for well over a decade (8+ years in this school) to being, apparently, an awful human, constantly criticised, the harder I work/try the more criticism I attract. By their own definitions, without going into detail, it meets the criteria of workplace bullying.

It has completely broken my confidence. (Though weirdly I still get complimented on my teaching/pedagogy, no problems with the students, it’s just everything else I do is wrong).

Has anyone experienced similar?
I have given notice, but I’m not sure I can do the last half term.

Just me?

I am sorry that you are being made to feel this way. They like your teaching, but not you as a human being? Have I misunderstood? If you still feel this way after half term, I would probably go in for the first day and then get signed off by the doctor. I am sure you are not at all terrible and you just need to exit this situation. I hope you find your confidence again as you deserve to feel happy and competent in your workplace.

Yes, it is common place in schools unfortunately. There are a lot of stressed people, some desperate to prove their worth, desperate to prove their roles, their value and this often means putting others down. You have to have really thick skin, and the minute certain individuals smell weakness, they pounce. Certain groups of teachers, often SLT using their power, don't always think about how their actions make others feel. It's often the very extrovert teachers with confidence, leaving the quieter ones feeling low. If your face doesn't fit, management will force you out. It can get nasty, I have seen it many times. Some of the other teachers will.pick up on this, and side with management, as they fear for their jobs, rather than standing up.for what is right.

Thanks both for your kind words and anecdotes.

Yes, apparently my actual teaching is fine. But we have a lot of contradictory procedures and admin, which for most people there is understanding that not everything can be done, but this is being used against me.

We have a lot of scrutiny. Multiple times per hour. And where benefit of the doubt and understanding is extended to their favourites, it is used as the basis of relentless criticism against people like me.

Yes, I think they smell weakness. I have some neurodiverse traits. But I haven’t had a problem in any years previously.

I’m struggling to understand whether I have gone wrong and all the sudden criticisms are true. Or if it is rooted in one or two members of SLT who are using confirmation bias to support their criticisms.

I’m quite mixed up. My confidence has been completely undermined.

I’m looking for examples of where this has happened to others who were previously competent but then suddenly taken down by a campaign against them for unknown reasons.

And, for examples where people have found new jobs/employers where suddenly their apparent deficits ceased to exist.

Yes! I was subjected to bullying in my last two schools. It was horrendous! In the first school it was because I spoke up about unfair treatment. Similarly my teaching was never criticised either. It was things like giving me a worse timetable than others, being given more cover lessons, not being supported with behaviour and generally not being treated as fairly as others. The next school was even worse! I was told my planning was the reason for bad behaviour (despite the fact that the kids behaved badly across the board) Any contribution I had in department meetings was ignored or immediately dismissed. I found out afterwards that my line manager had an issue with me because my degree was in a different subject. This was despite the fact I had 10 years of teaching the subject in question! I was advised to go off sick when I started to suffer from health issues. My GP was convinced that it was purely linked to stress. She was correct, all the issues miraculously disappeared as soon as I left. I now have a completely different career and I’m valued and respected. My only regret is not getting out sooner.

@Foostit Good for you for getting out. Schools are toxic pressure cookers. If your face doesn't fit, you're treated disgustingly. So many leaders I have seen have favourites and are unprofessional. So much pressure on certain staff, yet if you are one of the in-crowd, you get away with not facing the same scrutiny and pressure.

Yes this has recently happened to me. I am only in my fifth year of teaching and just started a new job. Like you, I'm aware I'm not perfect but I care and want to do a good job and have always been well-liked and respected. I have had multiple other jobs in my life - private and public sector, and never had my competence or commitment questioned.

Within the first half term, I realised I didn't see eye-to-eye with my new manager, and things went downhill from there. I was scrutinised to a ridiculous extent and set up to fail, and rather than walk away at the first red flag (because I didn't want to let the children down) I stayed to have myself torn to shreds. I've had some time now to think about it all and I know that none of this is a reflection on me, it's just poor management by people who are not coping with the pressure of the system.

I have had good managers before and a good manager will bring out the best in anyone who actually wants to do their job. If they know you are a good teacher but they are pushing you out it's either because they see you as a threat or you are too expensive.

I'm afraid I can't tell you how I've come out the other side yet, but I believe I will come back stronger because I am still passionate about the difference I can make in education. If you still love your job and want to be a teacher, you will bounce back.

You've summed up what I've seen perfectly. I am very lucky that my family can survive on my partner's salary because I was not able to think clearly when I was going through this and it was having a terrible impact on my mental and physical health and that in turn was affecting my partner and children. I am a very humble and down-to-earth person and will openly talk to managers and colleagues about where my weaknesses lie and where I would like to gain experience as I believe that's how you grow and learn and build understanding as a team. Now I know that is like a red rag to a bull!

Thanks for sharing.

It is awful that this is a fairly regular thing in education. Though it is reassuring to hear it does happen to others.

I’ve already found a new job and will be leaving teaching at the end of this academic year (along with 10+ other colleagues). But they keep ramping up the scrutiny and criticism.

I don’t know how to get through the last half term. They’ve made veiled threats that things will get worse for me.

Has anyone left teaching and found that their face fit better in different professions/cultures?

I'm glad you've got another job, and I'm sure you will do fine. If I were you I would just put all your energy into enjoying the bits of the job you like for the rest of this term, and completely ignore management. What is the worst they could do?
What I can't get my head round is that there is already meant to be a retention crisis in teaching, and as a nearly 50 year old I've got a pretty thick skin and am quite resilient. I went to a very competitive private school, so I got used to being pushed and criticised and never being quite good enough. How most younger people are going to cope with the level of criticism and negativity is beyond me. Sadly I fear many will end up burnt out and with their self-esteem and personal lives in tatters.
Btw OP just out of interest are you primary or secondary?

What’s the worst thing they could do?
Make me attend fortnightly 1:1s where I’m given a list of criticisms. Receive daily criticism by email and face to face for the most pedantic things. Generally contribute to a hostile atmosphere that makes me panic.

I don’t have a thick skin (when it comes to the adults, the kids can do what they like, it’s no bother). I panic, I worry, they see weakness and double their efforts.

I’m in secondary.

But have you handed your notice in? Surely they won't waste their time on that if they know you are leaving or they must be unhinged and sadistic?
If you are leaving and going to a different job, can't you just tell them straight that they are wasting their time? Or reference the union or your GP or something to scare them off. Surely they won't want you off sick for the rest of the term - I would say you hold all the cards now. Hopefully that will become apparent now you're on the final stretch. Good luck x

If it gets really bad OP just go to your GP and get signed off sick. No one should have that stress everyday.

As long as your references are through and you've got your contract, what can they do.

Yes I have, and yes they are. And maybe they are because the harassment continues. I am in contact with the union, they don’t seem to care.

That's rubbish. I've been teaching for 30+ years and Heads have ranged from excellent to complete and utter bullies. My 1st was awful and an older and vastly more experienced colleague then urged me to get out, rather than "staying bitter like me". She was right - my face didn't fit, possibly because I had worked elsewhere before teaching and saw through the arrogance and stupidity of the Head and his fag-ash Lil sidekick Deputy. My next school was really supportive and only logistics meant I didn't stay there long.

I have been in my current school for more than 20 years. The former Head who employed me was slightly distant but knew everything. I still see him at events and we have a great relationship. After he retired, his Deputy got the job and he was awful. Like the 1st Head, he had favourites and if he didn't like you, he made stuff up. I was hauled in to his office on many occasions due to "anonymous letters" or phone calls all of which were slagging me off. My line manager was pretty good and defended me, but when an Ofsted subject visit was less than perfect, I got the blame even though I wasn't HoD and wasn't even in school on the same days as the inspector. I was shunted into teaching something away from my main subject, but I actually really enjoyed the challenge and the kids were great. That Head left under something of a cloud.

The latest one is ok. He has picked my brains over subject-specific non-teaching matters and then publicly commended my knowledge. He regularly asks after my DDs (both were students there although not for that much of his tenure) and also praises us in print and in person for extra events or opportunities we offer. He is not perfect but it should see me out til I retire.

In your case, you could get signed off, but I would have more fun at their expense simply by giving zero fucks.
Head: You need to improve ABC.
Me: Ok. Please could you show me how to implement that with this class.

Head: You haven't done XYZ.
Me: Oh sorry, I thought you wanted STUV. Which would you like me to prioritise?

Never arguing, but putting your case firmly and professionally (and with a smile - they bloody hate it!)

@Malbecfanyou sound awesome, and very wise.

I think I’m going to go back and see how it goes. I have a fantastic regional union person who is supporting me (and a raft of colleagues in a similar position).

I will try to follow all their dictates to the letter, and as you say, have some fun. Is that malicious compliance?

But as soon as their criticisms start to pile up I’ll walk away and entertain myself until the end of my contract.