Tuesday 13

October 2015

Schools out for Harris academy teachers in turnover that

should ring alarm bells
More than 1,000 teachers have left schools in the Harris Federation over the past three
academic years.The data shows 465 teachers leaving Harris schools in 2014-15, 422 in 2013-
14 and 375 in 2012-13. In each of these years, 1116 teachers were employed. On average,
schools across the country see only 11% of teachers leaving each year.

The figures come amid repeated claims to us by sources close to Harris schools that the chain
works its largely young staff very hard, although there may be other explanations for many
teachers leaving particular schools, such as teachers moving schools within the growing
Harris empire.

The Guardian made contact with one of the many teachers who left the academy chain during
2013-2014 after only six months on their payroll. The teacher had this to say:

Each week, new expectations were placed on us in regards to marking; managing pupil
behaviour and managing data on our classes. The management of the school also treated me
extremely poorly, regularly walking into my lessons and undermining me in front of the
students. The pressure was unbearable, I just had to leave

Chapman, an experienced head teacher and school governor says: In the community schools
where I have worked, this kind of turnover would really ring alarm bells.

Harris itself did not wish to respond further, except to say that they treat all their staff fairly
and believe the majority of their staff are happy in their work.