A question - how many teachers on here are thinking of quitting due to Gove?

[bronya]

Everyone I know who teaches and can afford to SAH with their children is going to hand in their notice this year. Many others are looking for new careers. Is this as widespread as I think it'll be?

[Strugglinghere]

Me! I've been teaching for 13 years and have reached the end of the road, leaving at Easter. Can't take the constant criticism coupled with Ofsted-crazy data-obsessed SLT, and topped off with Gove's lunacy. Another colleague is leaving at Christmas. I can't really afford it but am hoping to get a lodger, cut out child care costs and top up with tutoring. I've never felt so ill at the thought of going in tomorrow :( Have heard a lot of talk of a mass exodus!

[RegainingUnconsciousness]

What is it they say about not letting the threat of terrorism restrict your normal business? That's what I'm doing. As much as he bangs on about rote learning and facts, the more I move towards skills and creativity.

Whatever happens, I am at least still enjoying teaching in my classroom.

Bring it, Wilshaw

[ravenAnyKucker]

I'm also sitting the fucker out.

He is not going to drive me out of a job I love & am pretty good at. Not happening.

I've agreed with year 11 that any of them filmed by local telly in 6 months time opening their GCSE results will start a football chant of 'Michael Gove's a wanker, Michael Gove's a wanker'.

[Grockle]

I'm determined to wait this out but am on my last legs tbh. I love my job but the relentless criticism and jumping through hoops is increasingly difficult to bear.

[mycatoscar]

I'm planning on sitting it out too. I've got a part time position in a lovely school and we just got good from ofsted so fingers crossed we get left alone for a bit.

Dd has 3 years left at primary and we've only got a few years left on the mortgage. so I can see a light at the end if the tunnel as once I've got no Childcare to pay I could go on supply if needed or do something completely different!

[mycatoscar]

Love the football chant idea! Possible a little inappropriate with key stage 2 sadly...

[bigTillyMint]

Oh no! I hope none of you are my DC's teachers - the children need you!

I am sitting the bastard out - he doesn't have that much impact on my setting, thankfully, but I can see a huge sea-change all around me in terms of management expectations, etc

[SilverApples]

It would be an interesting scenario if everyone in the job was either in their first three years or a supply. I wonder how that would pan out?

[duckyfuzz]

I quit ft teaching this summer but am still working in education. The slt role I had meant I felt the pressures more intensely than most and my home life was suffering. I'm really enjoying my new life, but don't see it as a final decision.

[Lottiedoubtie]

I'm waiting the fucker out.

But it's touch and go whether or not he'll make me redundant first.

Talking about skipping my bloody subject. Bastard. Bastard. Bastard.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I still love being in the classroom. Unless that stops, I will not let him drive me out. I'm a good teacher - and I must keep remembering that.

Sometimes it's hard though.

[ShipwreckedAndComatose]

I'm planning to stare him down too. But only because I know I am teaching in a brilliant state comp where, although the data obsession exists, it's still a great place to teach in. Think I can last longer in the job than he can...and I really don't want to ever do any other job.

I have heard such awful stories from friends in other schools!

[MrsBazinga]

I resigned from a permanent teaching job because I simply couldn't handle the over-whelming workload, pressures and stress. It was making me ill, and I was really concerned about my mental and physical health.

I did supply for a term, while I considered whether to leave the profession completely after nearly 20 years, and discovered that schools have different approaches to Gove's obsessions. In one of the more sensible schools I was asked to stay on til the end of the year, so I am back on contract, but am still very wary. I'm going to see how this school pans out and reconsider in the Summer. It makes me very angry and sad as I never imagined I would leave teaching. It's all I've ever wanted to do. But it's currently not a professional I would recommend to anyone.

[TawdryTatou]

I think I'm off.

Can't hack it. Stress upon stress. It's making me ill. I was in tears before I even got out of bed this morning. Then I get to work to be warned that Ofsted are in the area, LA are coming in on Tuesday, please get 'Goods' so we can show them we are a good school, etc etc.

The school is Ofsted pussy-whipped and I really resent the way it makes me feel about myself.

Sad, though.

[KareninsGirl]

This is just terrible. I hate that so many of us are feeling so unhappy- either to the point of leaving, or sheer defiance.

I want to stay; I want to wait for the madness to end. Just not sure I will make it. Lurch from the decision to leave, to wanting to 'sit it out' constantly.

Do know a number of talented colleagues who are planning to leave the profession entirely come the summer. Very sad.

[SilverApples]

Well, it's not as if past experience is any use now, so they'll just replace the leavers with a hopeful crop of NQTs and the wagon will keep on rolling.
I don't think it's a job that most people will do for more than a decade.
Arisbottle, you will be one of the exceptions.

[Bea]

Already done it! finished in July!
Having the time of my life!!!

No books to mark, no lesson obs, no ppa, no planning, no worrying about levels, no app, no constant worry that it's not good enough!, no book scrutinies, no more sticks to beat me with! No OFSTED!

and I worked for a thoroughly decent head and smt! (although school tough inner city! kids were bonkers as conkers but full of it! in the nicest way and I do in way miss them!)

Teaching is just relentless... with more things to do which never really feels like it's got anything to do with teaching!

Good luck to you all still in it!

[Bea]

Been teaching... full time for 10 years and pt for last nine years... I really think it's not a job for life anymore...

[SilverApples]

Full time.



29 years.

[Abbierhodes]

I'm sitting it out, but I know lots who are leaving
Love the football chant idea!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Full time, nearly 22 years. Went back to work full time when dd1 was 12 weeks and then when dd2 was 10 weeks. Dp is out of work - I'm in it for the longhaul! :)

[kazkiss]

I think teachers feel about gove as those in the NHS feel about Jeremy hunt! Politicians destroying people that are working very hard in tough circumstances and keep bashing them down till there will be no one willing to work in these
Professions at all . No good teachers because of
Awful morale and working conditions equal badly educated
Children in 20 years time and the country going completely to pot.
As a professional NHS worker with 13 years experience I feel your pain.

[ipadquietly]

Me.
I have decided that the new curriculum will cause me an unhealthy rise in blood pressure!

I resent the negativity and extra demands.
I despair of the lack of joined up thinking.
I am furious about the specialised 'extras' teachers and TAs are required to do - OT, physio, speech and language (mentored by professionals who have trained for 3 or 4 years to do all this stuff!!)

It is really getting me down, and I don't want to be bitter and cynical about working with children.

Next summer can't come quickly enough. Roll on poverty!

[cuggles]

Bea..can I ask, what are you doing now? I had been teaching 13 years..up to 2010 and loved it! Now on a break to look after my two DCs and was aiming to go back sept 14 or 15 but beginning to think it is a mistake to be planning on that..even if I can get a job!