After three years of teaching, I became head of year. I loved it and did it for the next nine years. I taught in the same London secondary school and felt comfortable there. But there was a little voice inside my head telling me I was at risk of becoming a one-trick pony.

Would I need experience in another school in a different role if I was to have a serious chance at senior leadership in the future, such as head or deputy head? Most of the people I asked said yes. But on top of that, I wanted to push myself and go outside my comfort zone.

So I took the plunge and applied for a head of department role in a different school.

Itchy feet 

These sorts of questions plague teachers at key points in their career: have I stayed for too long in the same school? Have I stayed in the same role for too long? Do I need curriculum and/or pastoral experience to progress up the ladder?

And these are good questions to think about. But there is more to consider than just how long you’ve stayed somewhere.

For myself, my change in direction taught me something key about what I wanted out of my career: that pastoral was where I was meant to be.

However, sometimes a new school, role and culture doesn’t fit. For me, this time, it didn’t. 

That’s why my next school move brought me back to my old school, where my role currently involves a mixture of pastoral and curriculum.

Do I regret the initial move? Not at all. On reflection, I can see that the experience was good for me. And I have been able to bring back what I learned about curriculum planning into my current role.

Ask yourself questions

Sometimes change works; sometimes it doesn’t. The key question is when deciding your next move: what do you want from a new job? 

Do you want a promotion? Do you want a different type of experience? Do you want an increase in salary? Do you want a school that has a sixth form? Do you want more of a staff social scene? Do you want to move nearer to home? 

Changing schools is not easy. You don’t want to be sitting in a strange staff room debating why made the move in the first place.

In order to feel confident with your decision, you have to evaluate your answers properly before taking the plunge, and that means doing some vital homework. 

Start with a visit to the school before the interview (if you can), and get a feel for the culture. You also need to speak to staff and students on your visit, and then read the Ofsted report, and look at the exam results.

When you’ve done this, go back to your original questions and ask yourself again: will I really get what I  want if I make this move?

It’s OK to stay

After carefully assessing the options, you might decide that now is not the time to move after all. This is absolutely fine.

It might be a better plan to stay in your current school, but look to develop yourself to prepare for a move later. What you’re looking to do is get more from your role, and put yourself in a better position for future applications.

Try speaking to your headteacher in the first instance and talk about your plans. Your plan of action might include getting involved in projects the school is running, such as mentoring students or coaching other teachers. 

What is important is that you make your presence felt and experience more challenging situations to get that much-needed experience that will prepare you for the next step in your career. 

Ultimately, you might even come to the conclusion that your current school is in fact your “forever” school. Sometimes you and your school are made for each other, and if that’s the case, you really need to look no further.

Liam Davis is lead practioner of religious studies at Woodside High School in London. Liam also presents a radio show on Shoreditch Radio in London www.mixcloud.com/liam-davis3

Find me on Twitter @davisliam