Thread by @HT_StMonicas

Being a Headteacher today- a thread.
1. I’ve been following numerous tweets about teachers being pitted against HT’s or SLT today. I’m don’t pretend to speak for anyone but myself, but here is my two-penneth. I’m a secondary Headteacher.

2. I’m tired of this back and forth. It is frustrating when @NEUnion make statements that initially seems designed to ruin my day. I know that’s not what they are doing but that’s how it can feel. I am expecting ‘the letter’ to arrive anytime now.

3. As an HT my anger comes from the inability of national leaders to work into the way they expect our sector to. There is a deep-seated frustration amongst educators that we are held the most stringent levels of accountability, but are led by people with..

4. No domain specific understanding. It is here that I am sympathetic towards the various union stances. It’s not like I would tell anyone how to sell fireplaces is it.

5. I’ve spent the last 3 days planning, then amending a plan, then reamending. My SLT are working on Mass testing/Remote planning/support for vulnerable pupils, and have been doing so for ages. I’m trying to navigate a team of people through to some degree man made problems.

6. We badly need some clarity, and we seem to have no way of reaching consensus, sadly the product of the binary positioning we seem to live with. I think HT’s need to be given a little bit of space (and it’s Jan 2nd).

7. When you become an HT the responsibility is overwhelming, but you learn to carry it. But HT’s are likely fed up ( I am). We feel (well me anyway) like we are trapped between a rock and a hard place.

8. My point really is this. However the next few weeks play out it is HT’s that will look ok, but actually feel an inordinate strain. We can do anything, but not everything. Please @NEUnion @MaryBoustedNEU @educationgovuk @GavinWilliamson make the job 10% easier - together.