Ask for your prospective employer to put in writing why you were "unsuitable". N.B. Under the legislation this might be viewed as a form of discrimination. Contact your union rep. and explain the situation. Request a meeting with your head and have your union rep attend (new legislation - you have the right to be accompanied ). Do you have any contacts on the board of governers? Have you any idea why he might be doing this? What benefit to him is there in retaining a worker who wants to leave? In your post you believe your terms and conditions are not being met. Carefully check your contract and the policy and proceedure documents ( P&P docs should be freely accessible to all staff - if not they are breaking employment legislation). Identify and write down (in as much detail as you can) every instance where you feel your terms and conditions are not being met. Discuss this with your union rep well before your meeting with your head. It is often useful to have the information even if you have no intention of using it. Although using this info may take you into a situation you don't want, the knowledge itself usually enables you to be more confident , clear and realistic about your position and what you wish to achieve. If the only reason you want to move posts is because you feel you are not being treated fairly - if that were to be sorted out would you still want to move posts? Jude - with union rep hat on