United Learning Reviews

The SLTs create a controlling, very toxic! and unsupportive environment. Cut-throat culture for students and staff. The school struggles to integrate and support experienced staff effectively. Due to a lack of experienced staff, inexperienced individuals are appointed to head of department roles, resulting in mistakes that negatively impact both staff and students. This creates an unstable school environment, placing additional strain on teachers and affecting staff well-being. Feedback is contradictory, vague, unjustified, or based on just 'professional judgment' if you hear nothing, it is assumed you are 'doing fine' Teachers are expected to follow a 'my way or no way' approach, with no room for creativity, independence, or professional growth. The workload is extreme, with constant scrutiny and unrealistic demands, making it completely unfeasible. Trainees and ECTs are micromanaged, being told exactly how to teach, step by step, with no flexibility. Teachers are not trusted to make their own professional decisions. Staff well-being is not prioritised, and teachers are treated more like students than professional adults. The school is obsessed with achieving high results, but it is unclear how much this actually benefits students in the long term. The focus is on producing results at all costs, even if it harms staff well-being, creativity, and independent thinking in both teachers and students. Teachers are pressured to meet deadlines, often given up meaningful learning experiences in favour of teaching to the exam. Staff turnover is very high because experienced teachers leave, due to all the cons mentioned. Most teachers are trainees or ECTs, resulting in students constantly having new faces in the classroom. Students suffer from this lack of consistency, as they also cannot build strong relationships with their teachers. The school does not conduct exit interviews, which shows their unwillingness to address the issues staff face.

At united learning there is a massive bullying culture. You will have inappropriate behaviour by your manager and have it all brushed off when reported. Teaching and support staff are wonderful but also stressed by the handful of SLT who think they run the school. Staff regularly get shouted at and belittled in front of students and coworkers.