Results day dread

[qwerty098766]

Well this has kicked in for me. It doesn't matter how long I've been teaching, how old I get, how many set of results I have under my belt, every year it's the same. Two weeks prior to results day I have a deep, sick dread feeling in the pit of my stomach about results. I become irritable and on edge. It's ludicrous.

I know I did all I could to support my students and went above and beyond. I'm sure they would agree that I have been a supportive and effective teacher.

But it doesn't make me worry any less.

I don't teach a core subject and nor do I teach in a school who overly scrutinise individual teacher's results. This dread is wholly of my own making.

I wish I wasn't like this. I wish I could control my anxiety about results.

[Mymomsbetterthanyomom]

Well I'm not a teacher but I have subbed in my children's school once they were all in.Let me just say that you have the most underappreciated and underpaid job in the world.And when I hear parents complain about their child's teacher I tell them they have no right until they have substitute taught for one whole week!
So no matter how the results end up:THANK YOU!!
Thank you for being a teacher.❤

[ThomasFurious]

Mymomsbetterthanyomom well said.

[CheesecakeAddict]

I get where you are coming from. It hits me a few days before but this year I've made sure I'm on holiday then. I have worked harder than I ever have in my career this year. I had two very difficult year 11 classes and it has been a slog. I've had bottom sets before but I reckon this year will be my first time I get any Us. I remember my line manager would always spend results day somewhere without Internet access or data and now I understand why.

[ssd]

It's so nice to hear teachers care so much about our kids. Thank you.

[OtraCosaMariposa]

I'm a mother of a child waiting for exam results on Tuesday. (we're in Scotland). If he doesn't do as well as hoped then I certainly won't be laying ANY blame at the door of the staff.

Purely down to him and the effort he put in. (Or lack of it as the case may be)

[Pipandmum]

another reason to ditch the ridiculous exam system! The stress of the last year (son doing GCSEs) was unbearable. I didn’t have exams (you just kept doing your subjects and get graded as normal, with a few more options for electives last couple years for different interests) so didn’t have anything like this pressure.

[Shimy]

OP aside from what others have said, have you ever sort help for your anxiety? This must be having a serious impact on your health. There’s only so much teachers can do so I’m sure you know with your rational mind that you have supported your students to the best of your ability. Please seek professional help that will break the cycle of this anxiety so you can go on being the great teacher you are..

[Motherofchickens1]

A level teacher here and I'm also going through the dread of results. Been teaching 17 years and still get stressed and sick during exams and before results. I work my socks off all year but there comes a time when the students have to do their bit and I just hope that they remember all my advice and guidance. Double nerves this year as DS is also getting his results. (No sleep till the 15th!!!)

[Shimy]

Motherofchickens You should come over to www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/3622867-Applying-for-Uni-2019-Part-7-IB-and-A-Levels-are-but-a-memory-were-relaxing-and-lets-not-even-think-about-the-15-August-yet. That’s where we all are waiting for results .

[BoneyBackJefferson]

I already know that this years results are going to be poor.

I am awaiting the fallout from the parents who had been informed months before that their children were not taking things seriously enough.

[qwerty098766]

Thank you MyMom, Otra & SSD. It means a great deal to hear it.

Cheesecake your line manager has the right idea. I’ll try and heed that advice...

Pip, I agree there is definitely a better model of assessment crying out to be implemented.

Boney & Mother best of luck for results day

Shimy, thank you for your concern. I have had insomnia ever since I began teaching. It’s a career that invades every aspect of my life. There is certainly a better balance to be struck and you’re probably right that professional help is the way forward. I will consider carefully seeking it out

The idea of a six week summer holiday is so appealing during term time. But the space it leaves in your head to wrangle with your mental health is almost detrimental I find. I think how all-consuming the job is is so unhealthy. But the void during the summer and the endless cycle of school life not healthy either.

So much of the job I love. But maybe it's time for a change.

[Motherofchickens1]

Thanks Shimy I'll see you there

[Piggywaspushed]

I have been teaching two newly reformed subjects this year (with a decidedly dodgy A Level cohort!) and am the HOD. The GCSE is completely new to the school, too : so a whole gamble there and big pressure. And a lovely class who deserve to do well.

DS1 also getting A Level results next Thursday and we have had a torrid time there so it's all a bit angsty for me!

[Dogsaresomucheasier]

Feeling the dread here!

[Piggywaspushed]

My A Level dread for myself is definitely offset by my anxieties about my own DSs' results! In fact, I more or less don't give a stuff about school results!

[PumpkinPie2016]

I'm not too worried about the A-level - very small group and all bar one worked really hard and were talented students so should be fine. The one who didn't shouldn't have been on the course - they were let on without meeting the entry requirements and were lazy to boot. Myself and other colleagues raised concerns throughout the two years. I have evidence for all of the above so if yhey get a U which I think they may, I will be wheeling all of that out.

I am dreading GCSE results though. Core subject, really poor group who have had years of inconsistent teaching due to staffing issues and had basically given up. Lack of parental support didn't help. They didn't bother turning up to extra revision either and did little work in class and even less out of it. Unfortunately, I don't think they will have performed well

[GrammarTeacher]

I'm dreading next week more. A lot more. And for the first time in almost a decade I won't be there for results day as that's when my DH booked our holiday. The control freak in me is quite stressed about this. I had some of the weakest and most troubled students in my group and was away on mat leave for a year and a bit so feel guilty already.

[qwerty098766]

Good luck to the DCs getting their results tomorrow...

Mine were as expected and when they first came through my initial reaction was to be pleased. But now my stupid perfectionism is making me feel down that they didn't over perform.

I've got my iGCSEs (CIE board come out early) and they are fantastic. Thrilled for my lovely students. But as I'm only a tiny non-core subject it's not like anyone will care. Swings and roundabouts.

[Rosieposy4]

Well done querty
Stressing here, both for DS4 getting A level results and my students. I had a very difficult A level group this year, and one decent GCE triple and one very ropey combined group aargh....

[Hattie78]

It's always a nerve wracking time. Even after 18 years of teaching I get nervous. Thankfully my students have done really well so I'm over the moon for them.
Good luck to all.

[Shadowboy]

I get the dread every year. In the pit of my stomach. I had it this year too. Now the results are here I’ve spend the day critically analysing them to the nth degree. Some kids did amazingly and some did not- I always worry where I went wrong with those that didn’t achieve

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I'm quite a happy teacher today. Can't even bear thinking about next week though. I'm not going in and might well ignore the whole thing!

[Rosieposy4]

Yes all went well for mine today but next week may be a different story.
I think critically analysing your results is essential, if you don’t how do you get better.

[NonnoMum]

It's hell.
If this year is anything like last year, I'm leaving...

[qwerty098766]

@NonnoMum ah fingers crossed for you

Is it best to plan an exit route either way? Living like this is not healthy.