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End of teacher contract not renewed

118 replies

amari17 · 04/04/2018 21:46

I have just been told my contract will not be renewed, I am a teacher and was given a 2 year contract which will end this summer. I am quite devastated to be honest, as I was not expecting this at all. To provide some context, I am an NQT, my first year did not go very well, I was pregnant and struggled with behaviour management. When I returned from maternity leave, I was put on an action plan, and closely monitored, I have worked really hard, and genuinely feel I have made excellent progress, my recent end of term assessment from the school stated they were happy with my progress, and I am likely to successfully complete the NQT year. So I was shocked when my head called me for a meeting and stated in simple terms, that they do not have a job for me no explanation why, but he said he is happy to provide me a reference if needed. I was in shock and didnt really ask any questions, and just hurried out of the room so I wouldnt breakdown in front of him. I have had some time to think and whilst I am still quite upset, I am just trying to focus on getting another job and passing my NQT year. I am still really bothered by the way the whole things has been handled, firstly all my colleagues I started with, who like me initially had 2 year contracts were given permanent contracts whilst I was on maternity leave, I assumed that I was away overlooked because I was on maternity, but now I feel the whole things was planned and they wanted to get rid of me, my maternity cover has been offered a permanent contract, so he has essentially been given my job. There were two vacancies within the department, which I believe they have hired external teachers for. I just feel really cheated, and going to work everyday knowing Im not wanted gives me anxiety, also it is so late in the teaching year, how will I find a job now, I wish they had told me earlier. Any words of wisdom on how to cope will be much appreciated.

OP posts:
teachergirl2011 · 07/04/2018 17:01

It's a 2 year fixed term contract. Your employer has not done anything wrong.

MallorieArcher · 07/04/2018 17:02

This is unfortunate ly how teaching can work. The budgets have just come out and a number of colleagues on temp contracts have been told they won't be renewed, plus in my area they are asking for voluntary redundancies as the budget is so fucked.

It is almost definitely nothing personal as you have been offered a good reference, and you are allowed to be upset but use your current school to help you.

As an relatively new teacher you are cheaper than a lot of other teachers so are in a good position. Ask your head if he has any contacts or any advice on which schools you can go to.

DO NOT CAUSE A FUSS. annoyingly all heads will be in regular contact with each other and if you are branded a problem you will find it harder to get work. It's shit and underhanded but it's a thing you need to be aware of.
This term there are usually more people quitting jobs so the job market picks up in the summer term, good luck!

TittyGolightly · 07/04/2018 17:10

Are you in the UK, OP?

KatyaZamolodchikova · 07/04/2018 17:16

Did I read right, OP, that you had a colleague who gave birth three weeks after you that got a perm contract? I think you’ll struggle for maternity discrimination if there was someone also on mat leave that was offered perm. It would be difficult to argue it was because of your mat leave you didn’t get a perm when someone else, who presumably didn’t have performance issues, or was already qualified, did. And with less than 2 years service you'll struggle to take it any further without something more solid.

Focus on qualifying & a new job elsewhere.

amari17 · 07/04/2018 17:53

Yes I am in the UK. I have additional responsibilties not just teaching.

My colleague who was pregnant took maternity after me, so was in school when the contracts were changed.

OP posts:
TittyGolightly · 07/04/2018 18:55

If you deal with issues there the way you are here I expect they are totally exasperated......

MaisyPops · 07/04/2018 19:05

I'm not following the pay thing. Or the job.

Are you saying that school have appointed a new teacher fresh out their training year, no proven track record and given them TLR responsibilities depsite said NQT struggling to complete the basic element of the job to a satisfactory standard so much that they required additional support from their first term?

Whether you get SMP or occupational depends on how long you were working there by a set date before you went on leave. You need to look at the flow chart for teacher maternity pay (assuming your school follows the burgandy book).

If I'm honest, raising a grievance with a school would be the last of my priorities right now. Get through your NQT year, get a new job and focus on being the strongest teacher you can. Heads talk to each other and staff talk betwren themselves about who's strong/not when recruiting (i've had texts saying 'you and x were at the sane school. What are they like?' and I'm only middle leadership) If they're willing to do your reference then take it and move on.

LockedOutOfMN · 07/04/2018 22:32

Maisy The additional "TLR" pay could be something like houseparenting that is an additional responsibility but suitable for an NQT?

BlondeB83 · 07/04/2018 22:42

I wouldn’t pursue this, especially not this early in your career. Heads talk to each other, especially if you are looking locally. Get your NQT year completed and find a more supportive school, you teach a subject where there is a huge shortage of teachers so you should find another post easily enough.

BlondeB83 · 07/04/2018 22:45

Wow! That is a huge salary for an unqualified teacher!!

MaisyPops · 07/04/2018 23:08

I hadn't considered that locked.
To be honest slapping an NQT (and one eho seemed to be struggling early on) with additional responsibilities seems a very foolish thing to do on the school's part.

LockedOutOfMN · 07/04/2018 23:25

Agree Maisy, the school's management doesn't seem to be that wise. I just guessed boarding because the OP says not teaching, and it's a private school, and it's something an NQT could do.

ourkidmolly · 07/04/2018 23:29

Your maternity pay is wrong for a start but there are so many problems here it's difficult to know where to start. As someone said up the thread, decide what you want. Are you in a union?

Aeroflotgirl · 07/04/2018 23:31

IT certainly seemed like they wanted you out, Mabey this is a blessing in disguise, and you find a more supportive school.

YaBasic · 08/04/2018 00:18

Hi OP
I would ask for a written testimonial now so you can see exactly what they are prepared to show you what they are committing to paper.
It is a lifetime ago but as an NQT (state school) four of us were on one year contracts. Word had it, they wanted to get rid of one of us. They advertised all posts externally and we all applied. It backfired to a large extent - I stayed on but two colleagues applied for and were offered jobs elsewhere and took these first. The one they didn't want neither got another job nor stayed on. He was gutted but in the same boat as you - had struggled somewhat, was told he would pass the year but his face didn't fit. Unlike you, they did not tell him the latter and he had the humiliation of applying and being rejected.
That was worse. They protected themselves by advertising all 4 rather than renewing 3 and in doing so, lost two decent staff members.
I think you need to concentrate on getting a job for September first and foremost...you are like golddust, I would be amazed if state sector did not have something (I applied May and got a job...you might end up in an improving school but find the ethos and support is stronger).
I am not defending them but you took up an NQT post in September and timing-wise were more or less pregnant then(?). Totally within your rights and discrimination if it went against you, but I would imagine it went down like a lead balloon ducks for cover
Good luck this term, good luck with job-hunting, get the testimonial under your belt so they don't recant, good luck with suing (You probably could but then being blackballed from the private sector does mean working in state. Having done supply in both sectors, there is a noticeable difference between them).

YaBasic · 08/04/2018 00:19

on paper

Momo27 · 08/04/2018 10:08

Definitely sounds like they want you out and I agree with the advice to focus on getting QTS and finding another job. Should be doable as a physics teacher, if you’ve made progression and achieve your QTS

The issues around pay are really difficult to follow. For an unqualified teacher that’s a helluva take home pay! Your maternity pay seems very low in comparison but without knowing your t and c and also whether payment for your ‘additional responsibilities’ counts towards maternity pay its impossible to say. I’m intrigued as to what additional responsibilities for an NQT would carry this level of pay though! My guess is something like ‘sleeping in’ duties in a boarding school?

From the evidence given (which is not easy to follow) it sounds like the school is pretty shambolic but hasn’t necessarily done anything illegal. Cut your losses OP, get your QTS and get out. A state school would be a better bet I reckon

lynmilne65 · 08/04/2018 17:50

God you lot 🙄🙄🙄🙄

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