For far too long, teachers who leave toxic schools have been on the back foot. They endure torrid times – in the form of awful student behaviour, damaging workload or putrid work politics – only to be signed off sick before leaving their place of employment concerned about whether they will get a reference that reflects their character and service. Many are forced to sign gagging orders in exchange for a decent reference. This is completely wrong, and feeds retention statistics that should be deeply worrying to ministers.
But the solution to this whole torrid situation isn’t all that complicated. We need to give power back to teachers, and I have a low-cost solution that could deliver that revolution: a government-backed exit interview portal.
