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I'm hating it.

18 replies

ohshiz · 13/09/2017 14:14

New school, new role and I've cried every day. I'm a very experienced teacher so not shy to the work load or anything. My contract says one month's notice whilst still in probation (which is a term). Will the school give me a reference?

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annie987 · 13/09/2017 18:32

Don't jump too quickly! I sobbed for 6 weeks when I moved schools (in private!) but I absolutely love it now. Never though I'd say that at the beginning. Don't underestimate how Big a deal a move can be.

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Tissie · 13/09/2017 19:57

Moving schools is huge. Suddenly you are in the position of a learner, bottom of the heap. You don't automatically know where everything is or how everyone does things. Bear with it. It will get better. Try to find one positive thing each day. A staff member smiled at you, a child said s/he gets it, a lesson went well.

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Argeles · 13/09/2017 20:35

I was in the same situation as you a few years ago op, and also was an experienced Teacher who had taught in a variety of different Secondary schools.

I knew from day one that I hated this particular hell hole of a school. The students weren't great by any stretch, and some were vile, but it was the attitude of many of the staff, and bullying tendencies of some that I couldn't stomach. There was a massive air of arrogance and bullshit about the place that we were all supposed to buy into too.

I cried on the premises, on the journey home, and at home on my first day, and every single day thereafter, I would cry at least once - usually in the school toilets. I started to take off a lot of time, as the environment, bullying and harassment I was subjected to was really taking its toll and making me physically and mentally ill.

I ended up suffering from stress, tachycardia and palpitations. My GP was amazing when I reluctantly told him what had been happening to me, and I burst out crying hysterically. He handed me tissues and a glass of water, and told me to try not to worry, as he was typing out my form to write me off on sick leave. I felt suicidal on some days, and if it hadn't have been for my GP, I dread to think what may have happened.

I was on one of those probation contracts too. Whilst on sick leave, I contacted and registered with several supply agencies, and told them I had a preference for long term work. I gave them the referees from my last place of employment (just asked their permission first and told them things weren't working out for me and that they didn't know me well enough to be referees in the new place). I was offered lots of work, long term and day to day. I took on one role for 5 months in a fabulous school, and whilst there I gained a promotion at another excellent school and started there after my supply contract ended.

Upon signing up for the role, I wrote a letter of resignation to the Head of the hell hole, and just told him my health was suffering there and it wasn't working out for me, and that I hadn't received support from line managers. I received a letter back within 2 days, accepting my resignation. I broke my contract, but they didn't do anything about it.

Sign up with some agencies (Hourglass Education were fabulous for me), and get the hell out of your school - do not get ill, and screw the contract - you are worth so much more!

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ohshiz · 14/09/2017 07:45

The staff are fine but the roles I have (SO many, TOO many) are just insane for one person alone. That won't change even after a bedding in period. Plus I hate the year group I've been put in. I've never taught older children before, I don't know what I'm doing, the kids know it, the parents know it.

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tinypop4 · 14/09/2017 13:00

How long is your probation period? is it till the end of term? I have been where you are; in your position I would give it until half term and if you feel the same then hand in your notice to leave at the end of term. They have plenty of time to find someone else - it is only a job and it's not worth making yourself sick over.

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ohshiz · 14/09/2017 15:43

It's one term with a 4 week notice period.

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hollytom · 14/09/2017 17:07

TBH I think you know with your instinct if a school is right for you. I really didn't feel happy when I started at my current school and guess what I still don't really like it now. It is easier as I know routines etc and I think in some respects it will get easier but underneath it might not improve dramatically. My concern would be the reference issue.

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ohshiz · 14/09/2017 17:11

But they can reference negatively when I've done nothing wrong?

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hollytom · 14/09/2017 20:55

They probably won't put anything in writing but teaching is a small world and headteachers can phone each other up this has happened to me. They might just give you a very basic reference which might give people doubts. I'm not saying don't leave but just be careful.
What's the job situation like where you are? If there is a high level of vacancies and you will be in demand probably not too much to worry about.

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ohshiz · 15/09/2017 06:13

Lots of jobs, maternity covers, and other bad starts to the term around

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KinkyDoritowithsparkleson · 15/09/2017 07:11

Honestly, go - life is too short for this crap and lots of people struggle on in places that make them sick. I can't see the workload easing for you if it's started at that level. I had a bonkers workload (teaching 22 hours with 2 responsibilities - both quite full-on as the school was small but poor so could never give time). I struggled on because I loved my school, so it gave me the incentive to keep going. But, I totally and utterly burnt myself out to the point I've essentially had a year off to try to get better.

I'm now on supply but there is work all over the place. I could get a permanent post, I know that I could get a TLR easily enough - many schools are advertising several times over as they can't fill posts - but I'm not sure if I even want to anymore.

I am getting pretty sick of all the additional crap. People having to justify salaries by inventing shizz for the rest of us to do, when we are already busy. I'm English and my marking load for the last week has been through the roof with baseline target setting but there is more and more stuff that is 'essential' that we must do.

I'm at a crossroads: full time, TLR or HOD, or AP - OR work as and when , dipping in and out, possibly a little permanent part time job with other jobs on the side.

One thing is for certain, I have done loads of work for the past 12 months - but it's been tutoring, examining, mentoring. If you left, there would be things that you could do whilst you looked.

The most liberating thing about losing my job was that I lived one of my biggest worries - being out of work, not having the income - and swiftly found that we do have an awful lot of options as teachers, even if it doesn't feel like it at the time. I will never feel I NEED to stay anywhere again.

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KinkyDoritowithsparkleson · 15/09/2017 07:13

Disclaimer: I live in a city. I realise the crazy abundance of vacancies might not exist in other places!

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tinypop4 · 15/09/2017 08:11

agree entirely with Kinky life is absolutely too short. If it doesn't feel better in a few weeks, hand in your notice before you are tied to a whole terms notice. Go on supply, use your previous employer as a reference.

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ohshiz · 15/09/2017 08:24

I've told head and dep how I feel but nothing can be changed logistically so basically it's muddle through or resign. I floated that idea but it didn't go down wel

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tinypop4 · 15/09/2017 10:31

Ohshiz they don't have to like it - you are entirely within your rights to resign if that's what you want to do!

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leccybill · 17/09/2017 11:11

I'm doing a maternity leave cover until Christmas. I'm wanting to get out if it early, I hate the school.
Not signed any contract yet.

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hollytom · 17/09/2017 17:32

When I was on a temporary contract I only had to give a weeks notice.

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leccybill · 17/09/2017 18:11

Thanks, you've given me hope!

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