Is this just the state system? Tips to cope?

[ElephantNeverForgets]

I am newish to primary teaching. I am finding it horrendously stressful. It is a combination of the progress pressure, hate seeing children in effect being pushed and pushed to be climbing up the ladder of progress and the pressure put on them (HT asks them what level they are, what they are doing to get to next level), SMT are very overbearing (it is a tough school to be fair) but come into lessons to 'team teach' and it all feels very critical, excessive staff training, a feeling of no trust, feeling that there is so much i COULD do to really push the children or help them pastorally but no time. The list goes on.
I can't switch off, weekends are a balancing act of family and cramming in work, I dream about work, I loose sleep over it!

I previously had experience in private education and never came across this to the same extent, I found it all much more trusting and children were seen much more as individuals rather than progress levels! Was I just lucky with the school?

I can't leave this year as I am expecting a big house move due to family circs summer 2016 so it makes sense to stick it out and move jobs then

Any tips on making it more bearable?

[BossWitch]

Private is much less pressured (in the ways you describe) than state, in my experience. I would try to move jobs into private when you move house next year, but there can be a lot of competition for private school jobs so I'd try to use the time in between to build up your cv so that you've got a good chance. Generally private schools are v keen on extra curricular stuff so perhaps try to take on / create something in your current place that you would enjoy? Might help balance out the feeling of just pushing kids up the levels as well.

[ElephantNeverForgets]

Thanks
I will think about the extra curricular. It might help to focus on something non-level related and with a goal (of helping me in my next step towards getting out of the school!)
Trying to be positive, it is hard. Children deserve better. The year 6 class are at boiling point - kids visibly stressed despite teachers trying to not put the pressure on too much. Yes kids need to learn exam skills and there has to be standards, but all this is eye-opening and extreme.

[toomuchicecream]

It sounds like your school rather than the state system. I've taught in 4 different state schools and don't recognise the scenario you describe. Well - not to the extent you do. Yes, there's lots of pressure to get children to over-achieve but I've always been left to get on with teaching my class myself with helpful support when I've asked for it.

[RomanRita]

Lucky you! I wonder what it feels like to trusted enough to be allowed to 'get on with teaching your class!' At my school we are NOT trusted - the presumption is that we are inadequate at best and feckless child damagers at worst. Ah well not for me much longer...