Any teachers on here?

Sounds fairly normal

Teacher (secondary) and union rep.

Firstly, is there a rep at her school? If not, she should contact her local branch. It's completely normal for a branch secretary to go in and give the head a good talking to about staff welfare. There's no way your sister should be so badly unsupported.

Secondly, the Education Support Line (open 24/7) are there to help teachers who are in her position. Sometimes, just knowing that another person 'gets it' is very comforting.

Thirdly, it's ok to take some time out and regroup. The system is under so much pressure at the moment and teachers are subject to what almost seems like hatred from certain sections of society. It's hard to keep going.

Finally, I know a fair few primary teachers who've jumped ship to secondary. They're invaluable for KS3 and transition. They're universally surprised by the difference in school culture and the way staff behave towards eachother. I work in a very tough environment, however, the support of colleagues, gallows humour and being able to actually communicate meaningfully with learners makes a huge difference. Just something to maybe think about.

Yes that's exactly what it's like. I have been a primary teacher for 20 years and throughout that time things have changed so much.

The level of needs in mainstream primary school is now insane due to "inclusion". Inclusion started off with children who would normally have been in a special needs school being supported in a mainstream school but cue years of cut backs a teacher is lucky if she gets any support in the classroom. One child in a class can literally ruin the entire school experience for others. It's just awful tbh.

Parents are quick to blame staff but don't give the same effort to supporting their child at home etc. Many children are starting school having never heard the word no so school is a shock to the system.

Teachers still have to report safeguarding concerns in private schools. The worst teaching year of my life was in a private school, I resigned after a term. OP, please make sure your daughter is in a union.

I wouldn't assume that village schools are any better. They have the same issues and often classes have 2 or 3 year groups in together. That's hard enough to teach without all the other stuff as well.

Private/independant school would be a game changer. You might get some entitled parents/students but atleast you won't have any "rough" parents and children are behaving properly. Teachers can teach and do not have to be police/social workers as in public schools.

Change schools before changing careers. There are 'normal' schools out there.

SEN school. Smaller classes, more actual interaction with kids.

Also look at teaching abroad ( proper teaching as opposed to teaching English)

I was a TA - I lasted 18 months! Wow working in a school is an eye opener! My heart goes out to teachers! For her own mental health - cut and run!

As a primary school teacher, this is just how it is now. The higher up you get, the worse it gets.

My advice would be not to change too quickly. Look at teaching in a private school - much better with far fewer issues. Alternatively would she be willing to look at teaching in English language schools abroad - eg China, Dubai and so on. Good money to be made if she is free to move around.

This is the reality in most schools. It’s worth completing the ECT year if at all possible and using the qualification to do something else. Teaching took 25 years of my life, I left four years ago.

I personally do not think teaching is worth it, although with ai taking so many jobs, it is also important to think about what else she could do.

The first thing that a teacher friend in Australia did when they visited earlier in the year was to complain of exactly the same things that teachers here in the UK complain about. Violence in the classroom, no support from parents, kids running riot, having more children with multiple severe needs than they can handle etc. It unfortunately appears to be a problem in several countries.

I am a TA. The school that I work in now is a million times better than the one that I was in before in terms of behaviour. It isn’t a private school, so it is certainly possible to find a good school that isn’t private. However, the experiences in my first school are more of the norm, so she would have to decide if it is worth it. Going to teach in a private school is also an option, but a lot are very competitive with even experienced teachers not getting those jobs.

Recently retired and volunteering in Y6 in my local primary. The class teacher looked broken today. 7 children with EHCP's, several children working at Y3/4 and no class TA. Just another normal day, and this school is in a 'naice' village. My heart breaks for the children we are failing [all of them, SEND budget inadequate, achievers not being pushed, strugglers not supported] and the wonderful teachers we are driving out.

Try another school- probably private. I did this a few years ago (though now retired) and it was hugely better, although still hard work. Demanding parents but at least they usually knew how to behave!

Where does she live?
Can she apply for a job in a village school?

Teaching is tough, but it doesn't have to be as hard as that.
I would suggest she gets through her ect year then look for another job - there are schools with supportive SLT and good relationships with parents etc (I know, I work in one) but sadly they are becoming rarer.

Yep more and more schools are like this, sadly. It won’t improve either. She is wise to flee now.

Sounds like most schools I’ve worked in to be honest. It’s normal to have a couple of SEN kids in each class. Schools are chronically underfunded/ understaffed and often not enough TA’s available to support all the kids who would benefit from it (not to mention the benefit for the teachers). Levels of violence have also risen as the kids know there’s very little in terms of consequences for their behaviour.

SLT though should absolutely have a grip on parents abusing teachers. I’ve worked in several schools where parents are not allowed to approach class teachers without an appointment

Sounds like a day in my school!

Teaching is really hard. Until you've done it or had a close relationship with a teacher you cannot comprehend just how consuming it is.
Moving schools may make it a bit better as will experience but neither will take away the pressure,stress and the sheer amount of work required to get by.
I would say if she can complete her ECT, to do so because then she is fully qualified which she may find beneficial in the future. Then get out, because the longer you stay the harder it is to leave financially.

Our school was lovely due mainly to the HT. She went off with stress and never came back. I had 3 years of working with the new useless head. Any vacancies were filled with young inexperienced teachers she knew from elsewhere. Most of the time I was meant to be teaching SEN pupils, I was taken away to do supply cover.

A HT can be the difference between a great school and an awful one.

I would advise her to look for another school rather than throwing in the towel. Her school sounds particularly tough - she wouldn’t be treated like that in my school and were a school in what some think is a very challenging demographic.