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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I'm being asked too much?

45 replies

motherofkids2017 · 02/07/2017 14:11

I had DD in 2015 and I gave up my work. I was an assistant headteacher. We struggled to have our baby so I thought I wanted to just dedicate every living and breathing hour to her. (I still do.)

However, for money, I've been doing supply. For the most part it has been nice. I've mostly been doing pupil premium work in my specialism and tutoring a bit.

I'm now pregnant again so hoping to save a bit of money.

I was asked to cover a long term post (until December) starting after the May half term. I agreed, as DD is a bit older and would, I thought, be okay in nursery.

Anyway - things aren't really going swimmingly.

I'm being checked up on a lot. It's quite intimidating especially as for three lessons a week I'm teaching a subject I know nothing about with an SEN class who are quite rowdy, and people keep coming in and making notes.

I have been told I have to contribute to the department and produce SOW. I don't mind pitching in and helping but this doesn't seem quite reasonable.

I have had my books checked and told my marking is wrong and I am highlighting in the wrong colours. I've also had some comments about leaving on time at the end of the day but they know I have a young child - I explained I wouldn't be able to stay after 4 because of nursery.

It sounds dramatic but I feel uncomfortable, as if I am being bullied a bit.

I'm also feeling horribly sick due to the pregnancy. I'm struggling, a lot.

Dh is sympathetic but just says to stick it out but I gave a really bad feeling about it.

I know there's a lot of teachers on here, so just asking really - am I being unreasonable? Or am I being silly?

OP posts:
Bluerose27 · 02/07/2017 14:17

Whether or not they are treating you fairly - I'm not familiar with the English system so can't comment- the situation is causing you stress that you don't need . Can you go back to supply teaching??

Original poster
motherofkids2017 · 02/07/2017 14:20

Well, it is supply teaching, just a bit long term.

What does grate is that they begged me to start as I wasn't sure due to not wanting the stress of effectively teaching full time but I eventually decided to try it as the school is very close to where I live so I reasoned I'd be spending hardly anything on fuel, and also I do want to go back to teaching in the future when my children are a bit older and so want to keep my hand in as it were.

I just feel very uneasy about it, in a way I can't put my finger on very precisely.

OP posts:
Maudlinmaud · 02/07/2017 14:24

You feel uneasy because of the way they are treating you. I would ask them to clarify their concerns about your teaching and try to come up with a suitable plan to resolve this. Or walk.

Mymouthgetsmeintrouble · 02/07/2017 14:24

Surely thats the beauty of supply just get in touch with your agency and ask to be moved they can put someone else in this post , i did supply work in the past and some schools were wonderful and treated me great and others not so much and i would just say to the agency that the post doesnt suit me never been an issue

Original poster
motherofkids2017 · 02/07/2017 14:26

Maud, but they haven't really verbalised any concerns. Just pulled faces, sat in the back, and so on. And - honestly I know it sounds boastful - I do have an excellent track record of teaching, and the children seem to like me at least.

Mymouth I know ... but it's so close, I suppose I was just wondering if I was being silly.

OP posts:
BiscayTrafalgarFitzroy · 02/07/2017 14:36

I thought the point of supply teaching is that you don't have the responsibility of planning, marking etc. but obviously you don't get the same financial benefits as a normal teacher. They are taking the piss IMO expecting you to perform as a fully employed teacher. I would walk tbh and get your agency to find something else. You're basically doing a job you left for less benefits!

Pengggwn · 02/07/2017 14:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Maudlinmaud · 02/07/2017 14:43

I know they haven't op but their actions speak. I believe you btw, that's why I'd put the onus back on them and ask them if there is a problem. It would make me very uncomfortable being observed and checked up on like that.

Original poster
motherofkids2017 · 02/07/2017 14:45

Thanks.

I was tentatively thinking of seeing the year out and then graciously allowing them to find someone else for September. Dh just doesn't get it, though.

OP posts:
Pengggwn · 02/07/2017 14:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Maudlinmaud · 02/07/2017 14:48

How long have you left? I'm off already nenenene Wink Could you just stick it out for the remainder?

Original poster
motherofkids2017 · 02/07/2017 14:52

Well, there's three weeks until the end of term. Then I'm supposed to be here since Christmas but I've done three weeks and am already a nervous wreck Sad

Pengggwn do you mean "leave early" as in the end of the day? I don't leave early but I do leave on time.

OP posts:
BiscayTrafalgarFitzroy · 02/07/2017 14:55

So you're not even leaving early but when you're contracted to and they're not happy!? They are absolutely taking the piss and you don't have to put up with it.

Pengggwn · 02/07/2017 14:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MaisyPops · 02/07/2017 14:58

You can leave on time and you shouldn't be doing scheme of work writing as a supply teacher.
But then you're an experienced teacher and former SLT member so you know this!

I'd out money on they are trying to 'put you in your place' because the powers that be feel threatened by someone with so much experience. By any chance are you in a school where there's a big extended leadership team and most are under 35?

viques · 02/07/2017 14:58

surely SOW should be something the staff/year group are sorting out, not random(you know what I mean!) supply staff. they should have half decent SOW in place already and if they want to change them the time to do it is when they have permanent staff again.

Observations these days go with the territory I am afraid, but I would be annoyed if they were not giving feedback.

If they want you to follow their marking scheme then they should tell you what it is and provide the proper coloured pens.

Does your contract pay you for the summer break or are you only paid for your hours? Either way I would tell them you are not coming back in September. It is the longest and hardest term IMO and if you are feeling rotten now you will be on your knees by December.

BellyBean · 02/07/2017 14:59

If you've only been there 3 weeks it sounds like settling/ teething and difference in expectations. I'd recommend calling a meeting with the head or someone and detail the areas you feel there's a difference of expectation and try to thrash out a compromise.

Pengggwn · 02/07/2017 15:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 02/07/2017 15:04

Sorry, but if our school takes on long term supply they are expected to contribute to the department, Mark, follow school policies on marking, attend twilight meetings and parents evenings. Of course they get paid extra for the time in school.
But as everyone says, supply, no contract, ring agency and don't go back.

Original poster
motherofkids2017 · 02/07/2017 15:06

Well, I actually get on very well with the Headteacher - I don't know him but I do know of him (you know what teaching is like!) and I do believe he's a decent man.

The primary problems are stemming from within the departments (as although I am teaching in one mostly I am covering in another - and expected to plan accordingly.)

And this is what grates: no holiday or sick pay, hence my total for the year would be less than an NQT Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
motherofkids2017 · 02/07/2017 15:07

I don't really mind parents evenings or meetings.

However, demanding extensive SoW from me and planning outside my specialism is a step too far!

OP posts:
WhyNotDuckie · 02/07/2017 15:07

You left your AHT post to be with your daughter. You wanted supply because of avoiding stress. You're stressed. Therefore I think you should go back to daily supply. Nothing is more important than your daughter, and if you stay where you are you will be dragged into that stressful situation again. Just make sure your contract allows you to leave at the end of term...You need to leave on a good note because you may need then again in the future.

Original poster
motherofkids2017 · 02/07/2017 15:14

Thanks, that's a good way of putting it. (I don't have a contract with them by the way.)

Just need to convince dh now.

OP posts:
temporarilyjerry · 02/07/2017 15:29

You feel uneasy because of the way they are treating you. I would ask them to clarify their concerns about your teaching and try to come up with a suitable plan to resolve this. Or walk.

This is the way all teachers are treated in most schools. It is not an indication that there is anything wrong with OP's performance.

I'd walk at the end of term. On supply, you are not paid enough for this level of stress.

Heirhelp · 02/07/2017 15:34

Are you being paid the same as a contracted teacher? Are you on supply or a short term contract?

Our school would expect long term support e.g. Maternity cover, to have the responsibility as any other teacher. Are you getting PPA?

If you are unhappy and don't need the money then leave.