Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi. Advice needed. I'm a 1-1 TA in a primary school. My class is year 1. We have a new headteacher and recently I told her I had autism. Two days later I was told I was being moved into FS1. I work part time and her reason was that it is disruptive to the class when I leave at midday. I've done the job for 7 years and this is the first I've heard that it is disruptive. I told her I didn't want to move as I find working with younger children very difficult. It's the imaginative play and lack of routine that I can't do. She then referred me to Occupational Health. After the appointment a report was sent to her with some recommendations. The next day she told me she was moving me into nursery! Which is even lower. I was so upset that I came home and self harmed. I don't know what to do. I'm dreading going back to work after the holidays. My anxiety is getting worse and I just feel lost. I used to love working with the children and now it's all gone.
Do you have a union rep you could discuss this with?
Given the timing this sounds like a rather obvious case of discrimination / retaliation against someone with a protected disability.
I'm not in a union unfortunately. But my 1st thought was have I been moved because of my autism diagnosis. I may be wrong but if I am it's the biggest example of the new head teacher announcing something at the wrong time.