Is anyone else dreading going back?

[Somtamthai]

Is anyone else totally dreading the return to school? We are back for training on Thursday, then kids are in on Friday (I know).

I love my class and the teaching part.

I am dreading everything else. I’ve actually ruined the last few days of my holiday because I feel so anxious.

I’m not even sure why I posted really. :(

[PumpkinPie2016]

I'm 50/50 at the moment (I go back Mon). I love the kids and the school as a whole but the dept I work in (secondary) is a difficult place to be at times and has been since I started. Was like that for a while before I started from what I can gather. We've had three years + of poor staff retention which then puts pressure on people.

Staffing is better this term but for various reasons morale is low and it doesn't look like things will get any better quickly.

I kept telling myself to stick it out as it would never get better if people kept leaving but I'm not sure how much more I can give. In addition, nothing ever seems to be good enough!

I'm going to as how things go up to Easter but if it's no better by then I intend to look at other schools.

[hels71]

I return on Monday. I am really not looking forwards to it. I love the children, but the ridiculous pressure, endless targets, data data and more data....I hate all that.

[MaisyPops]

I'm back on Monday and looking forward to it.
I'm not looking forward to the usual rigmaroll of data and the inevitable 'so year 11 what are we looking at now' when the answer is the same as 3 school weeks ago when you last asked.

[SagelyNodding]

I'm tentatively looking forward to it! I have a couple of interesting projects to set up and run which will involve a lot of work, and another half term of intense university study (foreign country, I'm doing a masters and teaching at the same time). But only 5 weeks until the next half term, and then it's practically summer!

I'm not looking forward to dealing with the bad behaviour in one of my year 9 classes...

[LoopyLoonyLuna]

I always have a bit of back to school blues but once I get going it’s ok. I enjoy seeing the kids again and catching up with colleagues. Slightly nervous of performance review this term though as I fell out with colleague who is reviewing me

[Greenandcabbagelooking]

I'm keen to see what differences anti-anxiety drugs make. I only started them in the last few weeks of last term, and spent all of it feeling all the side effects. I think they have subsided now, so I'd like to see what kind of teacher I am when I'm not having several panic attacks every day.

[Thehogfatherstolemycurry]

Yes 😢

[Chosennone]

I'm determined to go back with a thick skin and more of a 'that'll do' attitude. I'll be nice to the kids but not put up with any crap. I will mark what I have to, I will meet the deadlines with made up data, I'll copy and paste (from previous years) future plans for SLT and stay below the radar.

[DaveCoachesgavemetheclap]

It gets harder and harder to go back after each holiday. The actual teaching is fine but it's all the other shit that goes with it.

[savagebaggagemaster]

I always have end of holiday blues. I do love my classes and colleagues, however the morale is very low and has been for a long while. I have a lot invested in the school (dh and I both work there and our kids attend) and for that reason alone we'd like to keep working there. When I came into teaching over 20 years ago, I said I'd only do it for 5 years. My first school was hell on earth (wicked, bullying headteacher who was eventually done for sexual assault on pupils.) I worked in another challenging, but more supportive school for many years, had my children, then came to my current job 8 years ago. The first job took its toll on my mental health and I'm still paying the price. If it's not right, get out and do something else. It's not worth it. Good luck all!