AIBU to expect better?

[Hasbrobeen]

Bit of context: I retrained as a primary school teacher. My trainee school was great and I loved teaching - frequently graded outstanding as a student and then an NQT (in my current school).

But I don't like my current school. I find it stressful and it's hard to do my job there. I've just come back after mat leave and now I have a baby working there is even worse.

But I think the school is probably a lot better than most and I'm worried all school's are going to seem shit when I compare them to the school I trained at.

So, if I say the things that piss me off, please can you say if I'm being unreasonable ie. do these things happen at your school.

1. The timetable is too packed. Every foundation subject is taught every week and there is not enough time so everything is just rushed and not done properly. On top of assemblies several times a week and a lot of wasted time in the morning (the children come in and read before starting the lesson - but the ones who need the practice are the ones who don't really read!).
   

1. There is too much homework. The children get literacy, maths and reading logs every day in upper ks2. It's such a faff every day to hand out / take in / check it's completed. If it's not done then the children have to do it at detention. It just becomes a huge waste of time to mark the homework in the lesson, prep homework, hand it out, Chase it up when not done...
   

1. The children are used to complete admin jobs - my lessons are always interrupted several times by children knocking on my door asking for something e.g clubs letters, can I sign a card etc. It really takes the wind out of your input if the door is knocked on so many times!
   

1. There are far too many targets. There are 4 class reading targets, 4?class maths, 4 class writing targets. This is on top of individual writing targets, handwriting targets and on top of any marking. I've never been entirely sure of the point of the 'general' targets.
   

1. There is an obsession with putting photographs in the children's books. This is solely for ofsted of course and is a waste of my time. Because of course there is never any toner etc etc
   

1. There are never enough fucking glue sticks! It really disrupts a lesson when children are arguing over a glue stick to stick in a sheet.
   

So please tell me...is this normal? Am I being unreasonable to expect better?

[Bubblysqueak]

Sounds normal to me unfortunately, that's why I escaped !

[sarararararah]

Most of that isn’t normal in my school. We don’t even have a timetable! Just the expectation that maths and English will be taught every day. The rest is up to us how we fit it in. Everything else you describe doesn’t happen and I couldn’t work like that either.

There are never enough glue sticks though!

Sounds like you need a new school.

[Hasbrobeen]

Thanks both. That gives me hope sara!

I think what's frustrating me the most is that i know it doesn't have to be this way.

Hopefully others will be along later with more views!

[disappearingninepatch]

I am a supply teacher so have experience of many schools.

1. The timetable is too packed. Yes, this is normal.
   

1. There is too much homework. This is not normal.
   

1. My lessons are always interrupted several times by children knocking on my door asking for something. This is not normal.
   

1. There are far too many targets. This is not normal.
   

1. There is an obsession with putting photographs in the children's books. This is normal in some schools.
   

1. There are never enough fucking glue sticks! This is totally normal!

[Hasbrobeen]

Thanks disappearing that is very helpful!

Any tips on how to spot a good school?

[PinkAvocado]

I would say the targets is very normal and one of the main reasons I left state teaching!

[Lowdoorinthewal1]

My school isn't like that.

Teachers set their own timetables.
Homework pretty minimal apart from Y6.
I never get interrupted.
Individual targets only, evidenced with a ticky box thing that is easy.
Reasonable amount of glue- we order our own resources.

The mainstream teachers do put a huge amount of effort into making their books look beautiful (so do I, but I only have 4 kids in my class so it doesn't take that long!). However, workload is frequently discussed and reductions in marking suggested and they don't want to! I think they take some serious pride in their books, and they are very nice.

No crying either. My trainee tells me most of her course friends report schools full of weepy teachers. If you are looking for a decent school- check the corners for weepers.

[Froggyonaplate]

A lot of it is normal yes, I hate homework for young children and refuse to set it!!
About the photographs, we used to do this and it's a ridiculous hassle. It doesn't actually impress ofsted at all. Can you suggest the SeeSaw app to your school? It's brilliant, easy to use, effective and completely removes the need for photos stuck in books.

[Piggywaspushed]

a good school is an interesting concept.

There are good schools to be a student in (mine, ususally)
Good schools to send your children to The one DS1 went to was shit ; DS2 goes to the same school now and he loves it and it is so much better for him)
And Good Schools to actually work in.(satisfaction and morale in my school in pockets is very low despite students being generally happy motivated, parents being usually lovely and so on)

The three do not always mesh.

And I work in secondary : there are never any fucking glue sticks, let alone enough !

[BettyBettyBetty]

I think it's time to job hunt if you're unhappy. Yes, it's a gamble, but worth the risk.

[BlondeB83]

In my experience 1 and 5 are normal. The others seems OTT.

[BlondeB83]

Leave and find a school that better suits you.