Demoting myself

sue_sue_2

Hi all,

I am an assistant head teacher at a large secondary school, I've been in the post since last September and I hate it ! I have past my probationary period and my appraisals have been good however the workload is unreal and I'm putting in so many hours I hardly have a life outside work.

My question is :I have seen a position similar to the one I had before which I want to apply for, however I wanted to know if it looked bad on an application that I wish to step down from a post and assume less responsibility ??

Thank you

getmore4less

Can't you push back/delegate prioritise and just let stuff go undone/make it other peoples problems, become more productive

IME most jobs have stuff that just does not need to be done which reduces real productivity.

Ok you might not think there is anything you can do or want the hassle of trying but you need to be able to say why you can't make the job work.

The issue you have is how do you sell the change, more time with the family just says you won't be flexible if the need arises and were clearly unprepared for the job you took on.

Been on the job 10 years maybe, but 6 months

Mojisola

sue_sue wrote: »

I am an assistant head teacher at a large secondary school, I've been in the post since last September and I hate it ! I have past my probationary period and my appraisals have been good however the workload is unreal and I'm putting in so many hours I hardly have a life outside work.

My question is :I have seen a position similar to the one I had before which I want to apply for, however I wanted to know if it looked bad on an application that I wish to step down from a post and assume less responsibility ??

When we had a new Head start at the large primary school where I was Vice-Chair, the Chair and I were worried about the hours she was putting in. The Chair asked her to keep a record for a week of her work schedule.

When we saw her the following week, she admitted that she's got to 80 before the end of the week and had stopped counting at that point! We found ways of easing her workload and it did become easier for her.

If you don't think the work will settle down as it gets familiar and you can't delegate any of it, you will need to find some way out otherwise you'll burn out or get sick.

sweetilemon

It might look bad but if its what you want then that's what to do. You will obviously have more experience for the previous roll. I would just be honest. Im sure they'd rather you do that than go off with stress.

lulu650

I think it would raise questions that you are not only stepping down but that you are leaving a school within two terms (or would it be a year?). However, your reference would be good and you could just be honest and say that the job wasn't what you had envisaged it would be.


Have you talked to your current Head about this?

teabelly

Decide how many hours you want to work a week which is reasonable considering the seniority of the post. Prioritise tasks in importance and visibility. Do things that others actually notice and that make a significant difference. Anything else push down the list and do if you have time.

If there are important things that need doing that you don't have time for then give them to someone else to do.

Going off with stress is the last thing you want to do as it kills your future career stone dead.

If you can't make it work after a few more terms then consider a lesser post and think of a good reason to change. The first year will be the hardest as a lot more of it is new and will therefore take you longer than if you had done it before. I'd stick with it for 18 months before definitely deciding it was a bad idea. 18 months also looks better as you gave it a real go. 6 months just suggests you gave up quickly and didn't really make much of an effort even if you have put in the hours.

Sinhanada

Higher positions are not for everyone. If you are applying for a similar role as before they may view you as overqualified, but if you explain why you are moving back into that role it shouldn't jeopardize your application.

I agree with everyone else though - you should not be spending that long on work. Try and prioritise what you are doing and stick to a schedule. As a Deputy Head you should be relying on your Heads of Department to be carrying out some of your tasks which will free you up for your management \ administration work. Are you also able to share the Secretary to do some of the tasks too?

sue_sue_2

Thank you everyone for your help, I will keep it at it for a now but will look at other ways to manage. A couple of people I manage have been off recently so arranging cover and taking some of their workload has obviously given me more work. Thanks for tips on delegating, something has to be done as I am still working now and will be for another 2 hours !!!

getmore4less

How much of your day is filled with unproductive meetings?

Ones where you have little to add, don't make decisions or could just wait till the next time or you could pass and just a set of minutes would keep you up to date.


Don't take on other peoples work when their off delegate it down to give that level down experience.