The
current head of my previous school was employed in the summer of 2018 – their tenure
started in September 2018. One particularly perspicacious class teacher saw
straight through them after a one-to-one with the head that summer. She handed
in her notice shortly thereafter.
And
then:
o By the end of 2018-2019, 4 more class teachers had left (two halfway through the year): representing 24% of class teachers. At least 8 other members of staff also left. (12+)
o By the end of 2019-2020, 4 other class teachers left (including me) and 2 extremely well respected cover teachers: representing 25% of class teachers/33% of teachers. And a much loved TA. (7)
o By the end of 2020-2021, 3 more class teachers had left: representing 20% of class teachers. At least 5 other members of staff also left. (8+) There was also a restructure that year. Some allege that questions remain unanswered. I do not know how many others lost their jobs due to it.
o By the end of 2021-2022, 7 more class teachers had left: representing 47% of class teachers. At least 3 other members of staff also left. (10+)
o By the end of 2022-2023, 9 more class teachers had left: representing 60% of class teachers. (9+)
At least 5 who left had a
mental breakdown of some form linked to harassment/victimisation.
5 of those who have left were
union reps.
There are only 3 class teachers
remaining from 2018 – 2 are now assistant heads: one way to retain staff…
A
conservative estimate is that 50 people have left the school since the new head
arrived.
The
yearly turnover has been higher in recent years than when they first started.
At the beginning of their tenure, the head apparently stated that staff leaving was to be expected. The term ‘natural wastage’ was used. Over fifty of us being equated to natural wastage is somewhat insulting and shows a blatant disregard of one’s staff - forget about duty of care…
Suffice to say: staff retention
does not appear to be a priority. I reiterate what I wrote on 16 Sept: “I’m
incredulous that the council and board of governors continue to accept this
situation as normal.”
But the school is getting better and better. It’s a wonderful place, nurturing and performing.
ReplyDeleteIs this a sarcastic comment? How can a school be a wonderful, performing and nurturing place when so few members of staff stay there? When so many have left because of the toxic atmosphere there - both staff and children? Please enlighten me.
DeleteThe staff are lovely and the kids happy. There’s a new playground and new library. Lots of extra curricular activities and clubs including school discos and music nights, which the teachers get involved with and don’t seem unhappy! Just writing from a parents’ perspective as what I read here doesn’t compute to what we experience
ReplyDeleteNearly a third of the current Year 6 cohort have left over the past couple of years: happy children?
DeleteThe school took great pride in its extra curricular activities under the previous head and had far better music provision, links with a national theatrical group, international artists, etc.
The teachers 'don't seem unhappy'? What do you expect? For them to commiserate to parents on the playground and suffer the consequences of a toxic workplace? Teaching staff have been leaving the school in droves for the past few years.
I have to be honest woth you here: either you are spectacularly naive or a plant.