the way back - nervous breakdown and all that

Today, I am 50 years old. Just a number I know, but traditionally one is supposed to do some self-reflection. So here goes.    A couple of weeks ago, I went out for pre-50th birthday drinks with a lovely set of friends that I had worked with happily at my previous school. It was a glorious evening full of laughter, animated chatting, embarrassing dancing and some rather good natural wine. It is astonishing to me that most of these lovely friends had been labelled as the old regime by the current head teacher - including my much esteemed ex-head teacher, supposed purveyor of the 'Dark Ages'. You could not really wish for a more nurturing, creative and rigorous team of fine pedagogues. I have now come to the end of my second year at my current school. I have become a part of its community: close to my pupils, their families and the staff. I am a union rep and yet am on fantastic terms with my current head. I am blessed to count her as a friend. I have even been promoted! I am in...

A few more reasons to be thankful - and very happy: God, I love this job.

This is why I teach 👆. I have been through traumatic events, but I have found a school where I am happy and can continue to teach children and bring happiness to them, families and staff.  Life ain’t all bad.  I’m lucky: I’ve survived, landed on my feet, and found joy.

I have recently become aware of a letter of commendation from the council’s own schools' HR Business Manager - on the website of the ‘independent’ consultant who was due to lead the whistleblowing investigation. It was put up there shortly after our whistleblowing case was deemed not in ‘the public interest’ by said consultant. I would not be so bold as to say that the council paid a consultant to smooth things over for them, thereby -to all intents and purposes- gaslighting a group of wronged ex-employees and governors of a school, to whom the council owed duty of care. But it sure as hell is on the suspicious side. No? _______________ Dear Colleague, I have used the services of [dispute resolution consultancy] on several occasions when I've needed independent help with the resolution of disputes and conciliation casework. [The consultants] have extensive and sound knowledge of employment law and have particular specialist knowledge in the education sector. [The ...

The other week, I posted a piece called 'Excuses'. Ironic tone but very much genuine. One of the points was: “She’s got the establishment behind her, and you can’t take on the establishment - right?” Sadly, we live in a system where the establishment is extremely difficult to take on.  Should we try if we are in the right? Hell yes. Is success possible? That is a different matter.  However, we owe it to ourselves and to our colleagues to call out injustice. If we don’t, then we might as well just cave, and accept bullying, persecution, injustice in all its forms.  If we are not united, then what is the point? Join a union. Support your union. Stand up for victimised members. Collectively stick your heads over the parapet. My union stood up for me locally, my co-reps stood up for me at school. A lot of people who I trusted at school were quietly supportive.  Others, who should have been, were not. Some of these included friends. To use the words of Desmond Tutu, “ If ...