Removed from the classroom for my well being

[BG2015]

I've been teaching for 26 years, 21 at the same primary school.
Rarely off sick, performance always good. I'm 53. Top of the pay scale UPS3.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2021, went back to work on a phased return April 2022 after my treatment ended covering classes and then began teaching again fulltime in Year 2 in September. Loving being back with a class, total joy and feeling so fulfilled. It's been tiring but I've enjoyed the challenge.

Since having covid in April I've struggled with my asthma and had 2 days off in September as I picked up a bug. I then had 5 days off in early November as I had an asthma attack and was admitted to hospital.

On returning to work on Monday my headteacher informed me (no discussion) that he had decided to take me out of Year 2 and wanted to help my 'well-being' by taking the pressure off. I don't feel under pressure, I've just got asthma that needs to be controlled (which is now is).

I am totally devastated by his decision. Returning back to the classroom is what kept me going through chemo, it's my normal and I craved to return to it. He has taken this away from me.

I'll be covering PPA and supporting small groups, I'm going to be bored senseless.

He has handled this is a very authoritarian way with no actual thought for what I want.

There really is nothing more to this at all!
Performance review was done in October, lesson observation was fine, development points given (as is the case - he has high expectations) but on the whole fine! I've asked him if it's performance related and he's said no! Praised me for previous good results.

I do believe - and have said to him that I also understood that this is for the stability for the class, but why am I at any risk of going off sick more than anyone else? Does he have a crystal ball??

We have 2 part time teachers, one which is SENDCO and the other covers PPA. They covered Y2 successfully whilst I was off during chemo. He has put them into my class and I will be covering their roles.

Why couldn't I have worked part time with one of those teacher in my class and covered other areas? Why remove me completely.

I do feel I need to take this further as it has undermined me and totally left me speechless.

Not the same but I also teacher primary school and went back from maternity leave to be put covering PPA ......pissed me off so much! Now I'm just making the most of it and enjoying the lack of workload! Sounds very off of them to change you in the middle of the year and I would definitely not just accept it - hope it all works out for you

From friends who are in teaching I know that you need to get your union involved early. Really sorry but he could be trying to force you out and get someone cheaper. The fact that he made this decision without any input from you shows his lack of real care for your well-being. Best wishes xx

but why am I at any risk of going off sick more than anyone else?

Because it’s winter respiratory illness and virus season, and you have asthma that’s not currently controlled, I’d imagine.

I understand you’re upset and the way it’s been handled is not great, but I’m not sure that’s the way to approach it.

Why couldn't I have worked part time with one of those teacher in my class and covered other areas? Why remove me completely.

Did you ask this?

He will be worried about disruption to the class. He has probably assumed that the asthma is going to be an ongoing issue through the winter and you say in your OP you've struggled with asthma from April.
I can see why he's done it tbh. However, he should have had a proper discussion with you.
You won't be bored doing PPA and SENDCO work. I get why you are disappointed - it is different having your own class. But it sounds like your health isn't that great yet and it probably would do you good to have a slightly less pressured role.
BUT having said all of that... I would still talk to the union. Just in case he's doing this as a way to gradually move you out completely.

Agreed. I do hope that the OP is in a union and does contact her area office quickly.

Don't you have to have a specific qualification to be a SENDCo? It's a completely different job to being a classroom teacher.

I don't think she said she's being the SENDO, she's doing PPA and interventions

Get union support ASAP.

Sounds like he's trying to manage you out (I've seen it happen more than once).

With respect 7 days off since the start of term is quite a lot for a teacher .if you're anything like my son. Any sniffle will probably turn into a full
blown attack.
Honestly I'd get through the winter and ask to be move back in the spring.

7 days is nothing for the posters claiming it is. I’m a teacher - 55 - taught for 26 years at Secondary level. Last year I had COVID twice plus nasty infection so had over two weeks off - including some days where I was too I’ll to set cover. My school were lovely and wouldn’t have dreamt of changing my classes. I’d talk to him and if you make no headway I’d call union. Essentially it’s a form of constructive dismissal.

OP, cancer is a disability from day 1, even when you recover. Google for information. Asthma is also a disability if its having the effect that it is. So legally your employer should be making reasonable adjustments and discussing these with you instead of dictating to you. Speak to your union and raise a grievance with the HT saying you have disabilities and you should be recieving reasonable adjustments to allow you to continue in your current role.

He'll be worried about end of KS1 data. Is that year group way off? If so, it makes sense not to have someone with high sickness in a year group that might impact on that (not that your sickness isn't valid, it is, of course, but I can see his point too).

Very different scenario but I did IVF whilst teaching Y3 in a year where data was a huge issue for a variety of boring issues. I ended up having unplanned surgeries and reactions to meds etc and had much more time off than I was expecting. It was hideous from every angle - I was stressed about how much I needed to achieve at school, the school were stressed and thus were piling pressure on me to be well and thus making me even more stressed. I wish someone had said to me, why don't you do ppa cover etc this year.

It is always worth contacting your union, especially if your gut is telling you that this is more than just looking out for your wellbeing, but I would try to look at the whole situation and your holistic wellbeing and see if this is something that might be positive for you when you aren't feeling shocked and hurt by the announcement.

Is this not discrimination? The equality act should protect you from this.

Yoj automatically apply due to cancer, but also if asthma is long term you fit in under there too.

Seems they are breaking the Equality Act to me.

I know that I'm protected under the disability act through my cancer diagnosis. I think my struggle with this is the WAY it has been done.

I was effectively the last person to know what was happening as the HT and DHT plus the 2 teachers covering me discussed it whilst I was off. My annoyance is the authoritarian way it's been done, no discussion or attempt to share responsibility to aid my well being.

I shall contact my union and seek their advice.

Do I need this change of role putting in writing do you think?

I think you need to ask your union caseworker about that.
It's a horrible thing to have happen

I'm glad you're going to contact your union.

This. Your manager is being supportive of your condition

DRPET49 I think you're probably right. He has been a decent HT but I would've liked the opportunity to have a conversation about it first. I was told at 9.10am after being off for a week and then had to teach a class afterwards. After all it is MY well-being that's that issue.

His words were "I'm going to put something to you, you'll either love it or hate it, I'm taking you out of Year 2"

I then burst into tears. He said he'd discussed it with the other 2 staff members & said it was happening regardless of whatever I wanted.

Since then I've had sleepless nights & have felt so stressed. I've been very down. I've had to hand over the Nativity I was planning plus cancel Christening craft stuff I had planned.

Oh, that sounds tough.
I'm sorry.

Hello
After receiving such helpful advice from you all I thought I would update you with what's happened since my last post.

I'm still waiting to hear back from NASUWT (I think pushing strike action is their priority at the moment 🙈), but I've emailed again so hoping to hear this week from them.

But I have been in contact with a Governor who I have a very good relationship with. She approached me during worship as she said I didn't look myself. I told her very briefly how unhappy I was and she said I should ring her after school. Which I did.

Apparently, my HT hasn't given the Governors the full story. They were told via email that I'd been consulted and had agreed to the classroom/staffing change.

I told her that I wanted it noted to the rest of the Governing body, that although the sentiment behind this was appreciated, it was not dealt with in the right way. I feel he has made a bad management decision with actual no real thought for my well being. She was very supportive and is going to draft an email for me to look at first and she will then pass onto Governors.

I have lost all respect for my Headteacher now.I know he will not back down regarding this as it will not look good for parents or staff but I refuse after 26 years of teaching to sit back and be treated like this.

I've gone from being a busy classroom teacher to sitting in a room waiting for groups of children to arrive so that I can work with them, It's boring and with Christmas activities there are lots of changes. I've enjoyed working with old classes however and spent a day in Early Years which was lovely.

I'm hoping that in January things will settle down and my role will become less disjointed.

I miss the Year 2 children (& parents ) who I've built a relationship with over the past term. I'm actually quite shocked by how upset this has made me.

Are they worried you’ve been off a lot since September (not your fault obviously) and they think you’re likely to be off more?

I feel your pain about the interventions. I’ve done it before and I also found it boring but I thought it was just me!

I don't know why I'm at risk of being off sick more than anyone else - even the Governor said that to me on the phone.

We have 2 other members of staff who are struggling with asthma/breathing problems too. One member of staff in particular has had nearly 100 days off sick since she started teaching three years ago. She actually taught Year 2 as an NQT and was off ill with depression for a number of months, she wasn't removed from the classroom. She phones in sick a lot and has lots of odd days off here and there.

At the moment my asthma is well under control. The steroids have really helped.I have appointments in the new year to check my lung function and a meeting with the respiratory team. I'm also on a stronger steroid inhaler so I'm hoping that it can be kept under control.

It's a very dramatic move for something that 'may' happen. Does he have a crystal ball?