To hand my notice in at Christmas and leave at the end of spring term

[DennyDifferent]

It would mean I would be leaving at the end of March.

I am a teacher and I think my school is probably more supportive than average and the work load/expectations a,t least as manageable as most schools. However, this year I just cannot get my shit together with regards to feeling anxious and stressed. I am able to do my job, management even think I do it well, but inside I am in turmoil, I'm having panic attacks and anxiety. I just don't want to be a teacher any more.

I feel that I should stick it at least until Christmas as I could change my mind and "snap out of it". I think I should hand my notice when we come back in Jan, that way they have 10 weeks to fill my post. The thought of doing a whole year is nearly enough to make me cry, If I do it this way I will be finished in 5 months, waiting till the end of the year would mean nearly four months more.

AIBU to leave at the end of the spring term?

Just for background this is my 5th year teaching, second in this school. I have felt this way before, did some supply and felt a bit better then joined my current school full time.

Sorry but I think any mental health and anxiety issues are probably due to the job and disagree with Moopoint. I used to hate where I taught and my husband used to comment that he liked getting me back during the holidays, and when I decided I was leaving that school, as a pp stated, my husband couldn't believe the transformation and my anxieties evaporated. Sadly teaching is often the cause of mental health issues. If you kept breaking your leg from teaching, you'd quit.

I know a few teachers who have decided to leave and heads have normally let them go early/outside the standard resignation period.

Start thinking about what you could do instead or if you would be happy doing supply to fill the gap. As a pp said, if in secondary are you sure you can't manage the summer term as also you'd be paid for the summer. Summer term is always more relaxed, especially with the bank holidays and teaching wrapping up early July.

I'm not a teacher so I can't share any insight into that, but I suffered from acute job-related anxiety. Cutting my hours didn't help, so I changed professions. Best thing I ever did. I would also second the others' suggestions of seeing your GP. Anxiety is treatable but you need to see someone. I'm so sorry you're going through this. But you can - and will - get through it.

Thank you for all the replies. I'm so sorry that so many of you feel the same way!

In terms of whether the panic/anxiety is caused by teaching or just ecacibated by it, I have been through many stressful times in life and for some reason teaching is the one I have the least resilience to cope with. With non teaching related stress I am able to view things with a sense of perspective and positivity. For some reason teaching knocks the wind out of my sails and I am constantly waiting for the worst to happen.

I think one of the problems is that even when you are doing well and getting good feedback there is always some poor soul who is on the downward spiral of Performance Management after one lesson observation that didn't tick all the boxes. We all live in the shadow of it. It's like walking a tightrope. It doesn't matter how many Good and Outstanding observations you have in the bank, you live and die by the next one.

I think I will look into ways to manage the anxiety and then hopefully I'll be able to have a full and frank discussion with the head just before Christmas about what I want to do and see what we can work out.

Thanks so much for sharing with me and just taking the time to reply at all - it really means a lot tonight.

Just wanted to send my sympathy. This is my last evening of half term and I feel sick just at the thought of checking my work emails this evening, never mind actually going in tomorrow. My line manager is organisationally effective but absolutely not a 'people person' and has no comprehension of how she makes people feel. I'm going on mat leave soon but not sure i will got back afterwards. The relentless nature of it is just grinding me down.

You've been a teacher for 5 years now so you know what it entails. If you were an NQT I'd say give it more time, but not in your case. If you know you really don't like it then you may as well quit, as soon as possible. It won't get any better. I wouldn't worry about giving it any more time. Quit and get a job that you enjoy more.

I did something similar two years ago. I made the decision before Christmas that I would leave at Easter and I handed my notice in at the beginning of January. The governors were lovely and let me go at Easter and then paid me until the end of April. They acknowledged that I was having difficulties but that I was trying hard to leave without having to resort to going off sick.

I took a full year out and started back, gently, with temporary posts just after this Easter. I needed some time to find the joy again and I have found it. So, if you can afford to do it, my advice would be go ahead.

Legally you cannot now leave until Easter (or 30th April). Your head won't find it easier to recruit at a Hal term as other teachers are under the same contractual obligations. If you can afford to go and speak to your head tomorrow about leaving at Christmas. I am sure they would rather that than you go off sick-which you might have to do if you can't go on. I think that would be best all round so your head may agree to it.

I left about a year and a half ago and did supply for a while - really loved it but was persuaded to return to a full time post. Not sure if it's just our area but supply agencies are desperate for teachers at the moment as they don't have enough staff to fill all of their posts. Am now considering applying for a non-reaching role in school as, despite the significant pay cut, I've calculated my hourly rate would be about the same - I'd just be working a hell of a lot less hours. It worries me as a parent though how many teachers feel like this.

I worked 0.5 hours and that made a huge difference to the enjoyment of the job . try going for part time if you can.

I woke up at 4am, couldn't get back to sleep, anxiety building until I became a bit hysterical. My husband was really shocked, he knows I've been struggling but didn't know just how much it was effecting me. He called in sick for me. I feel so guilty!
I went to the GP, I'm going to self cert this week and phone some of the numbers she gave me re. Counselling. She said she's reluctant to sign people off with anxiety as although you feel better when you're off, it's all just waiting for you when you go back, which I suppose you have to at some point. I'm going to take this week to try to unpick exactly what it is I'm scared of /anxious about and then hopefully go back next week. DH is going to call them for me today to tell them and then I'll call later in the week to talk about going back -hopefully when the mere thought of calling doesn't make me want to be sick!!

I feel slightly better in one way, now it's out but 10x worse in another way, worrying what work think of me.

I feel for you. I too am a teacher now on supply which I enjoy mostly; teaching without a lot of the paperwork crap that goes with it.

Sometimes I look around and feel a bit indaquate that others are managing a family and teaching full time but then I have a full week of supply covering sickness and remember why I am not in f-t work. It's a high stress - performance based job which some of us are better at than others. Health and sanity is the most important. You've done well to stick this far IMO. Good luck - making the decision is the hardest part.