1st October 2026
Finding a school that really fits with who you want to be as a teacher can take time.
And the right school for you at one stage of your career might not be the right one forever. As you gain experience, your teaching develops, your ambitions change and you become clearer about the environment in which you do your best work.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself to find out whether it’s time for a change.
1. How would you describe the tone between staff and pupils?
Think about what you see in corridors, at lunch and at the end of the day. Are relationships warm and respectful? Do pupils feel known by the adults around them?
The tone between adults and children says a lot about a school’s values. At Ark, every child is known well by the adults in the school, and that’s what helps us support each of them to progress.
2. What are your colleagues really like?
You probably know your staffroom pretty well at this point. Are people friendly and kind? Do they seem relaxed around the headteacher? Is the senior leadership team down to earth? Do people speak openly and sincerely, or does everyone suddenly rush for a cup of tea when someone senior walks in?
It’s worth asking whether that has changed since you joined. Teams evolve, and leaders come and go.
At Ark, we want our schools to be communities built on strong relationships and shared values. Positive, collaborative and inclusive places where everyone can belong.
3. Do you believe in the curriculum?
Is the curriculum well sequenced, ambitious and rooted in strong subject knowledge? Does it help pupils build understanding over time, and does it support you to teach your subject well?
At Ark, our schools teach a knowledge-rich curriculum designed to give children the building blocks they need to make exceptional progress. In each subject, knowledge is carefully sequenced to help pupils develop understanding and retain what they learn. Strong foundations in English and maths help pupils access a broad range of subjects and discover more of the world around them. And you don’t have to build it from scratch. Shared curriculum resources through Ark Curriculum Plus mean less time reinventing the wheel and more time on what you love: teaching.
4. How supported do you feel?
Think about the last time things got tough, whether it was behaviour, workload or just a day that didn’t go to plan. Was there someone you could turn to, or did you quietly get on with it by yourself? And beyond your own school, do you have a wider network of people to reach out to?
Good support shouldn’t be a one-off wellbeing week. It’s the everyday stuff. At Ark, colleagues are there to check things with, and the network of 48 schools means there’s always someone doing the same job as you to talk to.
5. Where could you be in five years’ time?
This one can be tricky to see, but it’s often easier in reverse. Are you where you thought you’d be five years ago? Are you still learning, or have you reached a plateau? Now look ahead: will your current school offer the opportunities and training you need to become the teacher you want to be?
At Ark, we invest in teachers throughout their careers because excellent teaching has the biggest impact on pupils. Development is built into the way our schools work: teachers benefit from protected co-planning, mentoring and coaching. As your career develops, there are opportunities to keep progressing through our leadership training programmes and accredited qualifications.
6. And ultimately, how do you feel about going to work?
A bit of Sunday evening dread is normal. But if you’re regularly feeling flat and it’s been that way for a while, that’s worth listening to. Think about a friend you studied with or met through teaching. Would you recommend them your school as an inspiring place to work?
At Ark, we believe every child can achieve great things. That sense of purpose is what colleagues tell us keeps them motivated, even when the work is hard. Our schools work hard to create calm, purposeful environments where behaviour supports learning and a culture where everyone aims high. Ultimately, so children can get the best outcomes possible.
Ready to take the next step?
Asking these questions doesn’t mean you need to leave. Sometimes they are just a friendly reminder of what you love about your school. But if some of your answers made you pause, it might be time to have a look around.