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AIBU?

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Original poster

To leave a teaching job after 3 weeks?

178 replies

nocontactforevermore · 08/01/2014 23:24

I am ready to break:/

I left a very stressful head full time of department job in the October half term. I decided to go part time, without extra responsibilities etc and my DP is supportive of this. I had originally felt so bruised by it all that I wanted to leave teaching altogether but was approached by a very local school to me who offered me part time and I thought I'd hit the jackpot. On paper it sounds amazing - 3 miles from my house, working only Tuesdays and Thursdays. The trouble is....I've inherited a department that doesn't have a leader (it's very small anyway) but also is in a big mess. Kids have been entered for wrong exams, haven't completed coursework and to top it off, they've been wild in my lessons:/. I started just before Xmas and within the first day I was sick with anxiety. It built up all over xmas and now that I'm back, it's worse than ever. I am only contracted two days, but the workload means I will have to work at least another 2 from home. They also schedule me for meetings that are the responsibility of a head of department, but that was not the deal. I've pointed out that they are asking too much of me and pushing the kids to achieve too high a level of the qualification that I will never get it gone in time for summer. All I keep getting reminded of is that I was a former head of dept and 'can handle it'.

I can't though. Well I could, if I didn't sleep or felt resentful that I left a full time job for a part time one only to realise I'll be working just as hard. The reason for this is purely and simply because the department has been left to shit. I am on a temporary contract (suited me fine) and feel like they are simply going to 'milk me' until summer, while I'm sent over the edge.

How bad would it be to walk? I've an unbroken 15 year employment history. I am not flaky, but I didn't sleep at all over Xmas and this isn't the fresh start I envisaged.Hmm

OP posts:
MsLT · 09/01/2014 18:04

Arrange a meeting with the Head. Book in with his/her PA and e-mail a letter outlining your intentions. Tell him/her that you wish to terminate your contract and would like to leave immediately. Tell him/her the reasons why.
LEAVE and don't look back!

MsLT · 09/01/2014 18:06

Just seen your last post OP. Send the e-mail to the SLT member AND the Headteacher. State facts, don't apologise.

ilovesooty · 09/01/2014 18:09

Don't know who this SLT member is but the head needs to be informed.

PenguinBear · 09/01/2014 18:19

Gosh you poor thing op, email trail sounds like a good idea!

StealthPolarBear · 09/01/2014 18:33

Good luck OP!

tenementfunster · 09/01/2014 18:41

Yes go to the head.. These things tend to get covered up.. The whole exam entry thing etc was not on yr watch and you need to cover yr arse. Paper trail good, but as someone said, don't say you are stressed by events.....none of this is yr problem. Anyone would feel bewildered and concerned by these events ( ie not stressed!)

willjusttellyouonething · 09/01/2014 18:45

Obviously a name change but I am a teacher, in a senior leadership role.

I have two schools I worked at I do not mention on my application forms. It hasn't left a gap and I just slightly extend the 'time' spent at two schools.

Blush

The point is, schools want your last employer: if OP leaves now, she can put her last headteacher down as reference and just NOT mention this school.

I'm not saying she should, just that she could.

Wibblypiglikesbananas · 09/01/2014 19:01

Ok, I read this as someone who comes from a family of teachers. What you are being asked to do is not uncommon in a badly run school. That said, it's not what you signed up for. At all. Who on earth, in any professiom, schedules a part time colleague for meetings during full time hours? And meetings that are at least a pay grade higher? It sounds like they're trying (and so far succeeding) to well and truly take advantage of you.

You are in a very strong position but you need to detach, completely. This is a job. You do what you signed up for and nothing more. At the end of it, you get paid. The situation you find yourself in is not your fault. Do not feel guilty. Yes, the kids were signed up for the wrong exams, but that's not your fault. Yes, the department is a mess, but that's not your fault. In your old role, it would have been your responsibility to solve these issues. It's not in this one, despite the SLT member seemingly believing this! Detach, detach, detach.

If you do leave, you have the perfect reason. You didn't want to work somewhere that was so badly run and at odds with your sense of professionalism. Anyone who works locally and who knows the school will know exactly what you mean.

sarine1 · 09/01/2014 19:04

Op,
Hope things resolve themselves. However PLEASE don't take the advice regarding 'losing' these weeks from your career. Ever since that Deputy Head who allegedly murdered his step daughter (Sion Jenkins), Ian Huntley (Soham) etc the law has changed and it would be a dismissable offence to fail to disclose any employment - ie the safer recruitment procedures. Schools have to take these incredibly seriously and qite rightly, there are no allowances made for concealing an employment.
I have been a senior member of staff in schools as well as LAs for decades and have done a lot of recruiting teachers and if your explanation about a job that was obviously a mistake is professional and clear, the panels I sit on wouldn't judge you harshly.

Thymeout · 09/01/2014 19:08

I taught .6. One year, by some quirk in the timetable, the only afternoon session I taught was a Friday. In this school, there were never any meetings on a Friday afternoon.

The school wanted me to stay on/come back for all after school meetings - 18 over the year - Departmental, Section, Full Staff, etc etc. They said they were directed time and I would be in breech of contract if I didn't attend.

I offered to attend meetings before school and in the lunch hour after my session had ended. Was told this would be unfair on my colleagues. Lots of emotional blackmail, 'disappointment in my professional attitude'. Called in the union in to support me at a meeting with HT. HT caved in when it was pointed out to her that she was in breech of employment law regarding part time workers.

Stand firm. And good luck.

Original poster
nocontactforevermore · 09/01/2014 19:23

Can't believe the collective experience on here of crappy schools/ shoddy senior leadership and poor treatment of part time staff. Makes me sad to be honest.

I will be standing firm, esp with regards to the extra meetings and the scapegoating over exam boards and crap results that are inevitable. Imy first step is to send an email expressing my concern over exam board blunder. I want that recorded!!!

OP posts:
tenementfunster · 09/01/2014 19:28

Shit rolls downhill my friend..glad you are wise to that. Make sure you are well clear of blame.
Good luck

nauticant · 09/01/2014 20:15

my first step is to send an email expressing my concern over exam board blunder

If you have a number of concerns, I'd put them all in the same document rather than appear to drip feed. However, since this could be a fair amount of work, perhaps you could send a summary email now, either resigning or stating that your are planning to, and include a list of the areas of concern that are causing you to leave. You can provide a more developed discussion of these concerns later.

TimeToPassGo · 09/01/2014 20:30

But Sarine there's no need to mention it specifically - where there's a gap I would just write 'supply teaching' and mention the school in passing plus a couple of other schools I would make a point of doing a few days in. No need for future employers to know contract was till summer. For all they know it might have been a 3 week sick cover.

Original poster
nocontactforevermore · 09/01/2014 20:55

I have to say im inclined to agree with the idea of not mentioning it. If I was there for a matter of weeks and then head from here to real supply, it won't be a lie anyway! Grin

OP posts:
RupertTheBear · 09/01/2014 21:07

Check your contract really carefully - when I was on a temporary fixed term contract the notice period was only 1 week. I think the terms notice is only for permanent contracts.

TimeToPassGo · 09/01/2014 21:10

OP you could quite genuinely write 'Jan 2014 (4 weeks) - temporary cover as teacher of x' or '8 days supply teaching'. It's not a lie. It's just the time period you were there. You can then just as casually mention other supply / temporary work.

LittleBearPad · 09/01/2014 22:23

Good luck OP. They're taking the piss. Please do resign - your health so more important.

NorksAreMessy · 09/01/2014 22:28

I agree, run far and run fast.
But

The poor children. (NOT your responsibility, see above) but what a crappy situation for them to be in. :(

winklewoman · 10/01/2014 08:28

How did you negotiate leaving at half term in your last, full time, job?

winklewoman · 10/01/2014 09:33

If you are employed for two days a week, you are expected to attend calendared meetings pro rata, i.e. two fifths of them. You should negotiate around which two fifths you attend, though these may include some not on your 'working' days. If meetings are not calendared, they are voluntary. (A HT speaks)

Original poster
nocontactforevermore · 10/01/2014 10:53

Good to know winkle thanks.

My last HT was a decent guy, didn't want me to leave but gave me his permission.

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 10/01/2014 11:12

winklewoman 62.8 of the STPCD surely means that a part time teacher cannot be required to attend meetings on a non working day?

winklewoman · 10/01/2014 12:37

Hi Sooty, if that is the current ruling of the STPCD, it is correct. But she will be expected to do her two fifths of meetings on those two days if required and the meeting she described as 'scheduled' from 3-5 may well count amongst these. She may prefer to negotiate and attend some on non working days if this is more convenient as she lives fairly close to the school.

Ragusa · 10/01/2014 12:55

I am not sure the STPCD would apply. The OP is teaching outside of the UK.