Give me a job!
One aspect of the teaching profession that often bemuses people who haven’t worked in the industry is the transparency that exists around applying for another job. It is generally accepted that when you see a job that you are interested in the first person you speak to is in fact, your own boss. More often than not it is also common knowledge within the staffroom when a colleague has visited a prospective new school. Nothing is kept secret. This openness that traditionally applies is something that is worthy of merit, and it is a characteristic which I believe should not only be applauded but preserved at all costs.
The ‘cloak and dagger’ practices of taking a day off to attend an uncommunicated interview or asking for references to not be requested unless there is a firm offer of the job, are features that belong in other work settings. These are actions based around fear of possible repercussions. Of course, other work settings have competition elements to consider but generally the surreptitious approach is about a culture. One where the relationship between the employer and employee is not built around a common goal for good and where loyalty is therefore not necessarily viewed as important.
Working in schools should always have the foundation of a strong moral purpose. We have one task, to help make our pupils better people. Once this basic principle is accepted then the way we operate at all levels should have an integrity that permeates everything we do. Including recruitment. We can work for the better good in a whole host of educational settings and we are all trying to achieve the same thing. Schools are also about collaboration to help improve the system. There is an expectation of professional development and personal growth. There is no reason to apologise for being ambitious or wanting to improve.
The responsibility for maintaining this integrity lies with both the school and the staff. It is not an obligation, it is what we should do because it is right, and it is important that we take this stance and set an example for everyone.
In recent years I have been concerned that integrity in recruitment is being undermined after unfortunately witnessing an increasing trend of staff attempting to use this transparency to their advantage. They loudly make it known that they have seen another, attractive post elsewhere in an effort to manipulate a wage rise from a worried headteacher who well knows they would be hard to replace. In my time I am sorry to say that I have fallen into this trap on a few occasions. I can also say that, without exception, I have lived to regret that decision whenever this has happened. It alters the dynamic, it shifts power, and it is generally not healthy. My advice is always to avoid this trap by remembering the mantra that no individual is bigger than the school. It may be hard in the short term, but it is far better to ride out this storm than proceed with a member of staff playing the system.
School Leaders also need to not forget the importance of being open and sharing honest information. Underhand methods of poaching staff should have no place in education. By all means go to the job market stressing the value of working in your school, but only do this when everyone in honest. No ‘tapping-up’, no keeping information to yourself. It is a huge benefit to show a prospective member of staff around your school. They see you and you see them. This should only ever happen however if the visiting member of staff has told their current employer. It should be insisted upon. Why would you possibly want to employ someone who has the ability to be devious.
My final observation about recruitment focuses upon adverts. In my career there have been several occasions when I have looked at ones that are recruiting for the post that I was about to vacate. It is a strange situation. You read the blurb, check the job description, and are unavoidably led to ask the question ‘is this the job that you actually are doing’?
Over the years job descriptions have become more detailed, more populated with general ‘business speak’ and in my opinion, more removed from the role itself. Any post you hold in a school is more than a list of things to do, no matter how long or detailed it may be.
Working in schools comes with the responsibility of upholding some essential fundamentals that have kept the profession going for many, many years. These include giving a bucket load of goodwill. Schools can’t be places for people who look at their job description before deciding if they should do something or not. If this was the case schools would fall apart very quickly.
Putting the needs of the children first is another fundamental that we need. This can never be forgotten. I have mentioned on numerous occasions that after supporting schools in an advisory capacity I swiftly came to the conclusion that good schools do things for the pupils and under -performing schools do things for the teachers. This is as true now as it ever was. Leaders of course need to take care of teachers, but this is a lot easier to do when teachers are looking after the pupils. It is a two-way street.
There are numerous pressures that we all face from both sides of the job market in the current climate. This fact should not steer us away from transparency and simplicity. If we manage to do this above all else then we will not lose sight of what a wonderful role working in schools can be.