In reply to Mr Pinchy:
My better half went through something very similar in 2011-12 in her first year at the school (5th year as QT). We clearly identified it as workplace bullying in Jan 12 and this was confirmed by another member of staff approaching retirement. She'd seen no less than 15 members of staff go through similar experiences in the 8 years the head had been in post.
C (the other half) had a similar choice. Kick up a fuss or move on, knowing that there was a good chance of a negative reference. I'd seen C's morale gradually deteriorate, so I asked the question, "Do you think you could still be working in these conditions in a years time?"
The answer was a definitive no. Even if C stayed to fight, it would still be being dragged through the system, which on top of the already strenuous job would have pulled her under. The chair of governers in this case would have beenno help, as he has been in post for 20 years and is suffering from mental health issues, and so the head already runs circles around him.
After making the decision to walk away, everything got better, knowing that there was an end for her experience. The reference was indeed very negative, but C managed to get an interview with the help of a uni friend working at a different school. The contradiction between the character reference and her first HT reference, and that of the bully was enough for the panel to accept C's version of events.
If it wasn't for the uni friend, C would not be teaching now. A bad year followed by being unfairly rejected by other schools would have finished her off. After 4 years of training and 5 years in the job, that would have been a big waste.
It sounds like Jane is ready to commit to leave. That is the scary bit, everything gets better from there.
Has she got a positive reference from somewhere else to contradict the one she is likely to get? Does she know anyone who could give her a character reference who is working in a different school? C also went for a maternity cover. She wasn't sure about this when she applied, but it worked out for the best as there were fewer other candidates. This contract has now been extended and will hopefully be made permanent from Sept.
Feel free to PM me if you want to talk it over, or if you'd like me to put C in touch with Jane. She's definitly not on her own.
Iain