Support and advice on using the TES Community. If you’re looking for tips on how to set up your own group or need advice on the best place to post your message, to get help and advice, just ask away.
I am being bullied at work & I am loosing the will. I know that they are trying to get rid of me.
I have been in my current school since December 2005. I became HOD in 2006. In that time frame there has been no performance management. This academic year is the first time that I have ever had any. Prior to July 2011 I had never had any unsatisfactory obs. Now I am continually unsatisfactory. The "Head" & I have always had a relationship that may be described as no-love-lost. Bottom line is that she hates me - my examination results are always good. I teach core
She is my observer. I am now on 1st Fromal I am due to have 8 observatioins in this time frame which was decided should be 8 weeks, I was observed twice this week. the first one was ok the second was deemed inadequate - although in the lesson the ability rance was from 1C-5C and she acknowleged that all sections of the class learned. "Not enought pace" was the verdict even though the students were all engaged & came 10mins late; Also the fact that the lower level students were unable to grasp the higher level concepts because they were too abstract, but the higer level students were. BLAH BLAH BLAH - I have never been unsatisfactory & I have been teaching since 1996/7
My union says that I need to try to hang on so that a grievence can be raised. In the time that I have been at the school I have had 3 of these + 1 disciplinary action taken against me. My line manager is friendly with the Head & seemingly supports her actions. Nothing that I do is right. Recently I had all of my marks down graded by 2 grades & this was written about in the observation report.
The school is becomming an acadamy in a matter of weeks. It has been in special measures twice. The head was on SLT on both occassions. The head has been named in numerous greviences & complaints but always seems to manage not not have anything up-held.
I am really tired & I would just like to have some one say that I am not loosing the plot.
Any advice please .
I am so sorry this is happening to you. Try not to let it make you ill. I know this is easier said than done. This woman clearly has issues and you need to remember she must be a very unhappy person to make others feel like this. I would either look for a new job and let them know you are looking, or be lovely to them, continually ask for their advice on how to improve (this could stump them) and smile alot at them (this will throw them!) and ride it out - hopefully the structure will change once you are an academy.
Best of luck with it all x
Sounds like, from what you describe, you are now being massively observed. If you are NUT then you should be getting regional assistance - 3 hours maximum observations per year. All observations should have a focus.
Capability proceedings are a nightmare to go through, but should have been brought after a period of coaching. have you been giving a mentor to help improve your teaching? have you been given the opportunity to see best practice? learning walks for example, or observation of ASTs? If not, you need to ask why not.
Your union need to be more proactive from the sounds of it, not just asking you to hold on. They should be in making these arrangements for you.
Good luck, and stay strong.
The thing is I have said to my Union that there ia a clear patern of behaviour. 3 capabilites & a disiplinary in 6 years is ridiculous. - by anyones standards. I have seen "good practice". In the lessons that I have observed they do nothing that i do not do. I am going to another school to see teaching & learning but I have had to arrange this myself. I went to a grammar school when I was on informal & saw nothing that I did not do - indeed they did less.
One thing that I am unsure about is the role of PM. Do you know whether it is true that you have to fail to meet targets for two years before any capability procedure can be brought?
Top of page