To think I'm being asked too much?

[motherofkids2017]

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?

Are they paying you a high rate for expecting full time work, or are they taking the p?

I'd go elsewhere tbh, find somewhere you can swan in and out. That's the whole point of supply. If you wanted stress you could work on a contract.

You're not doing ad-hoc supply, you're doing long term cover, so to me I think it's reasonable to contribute to SOWs and not have the rest of the department covering for a person that's already got cover - i.e. you!

Of course your marking is being checked. Everyones will be. You're just getting more feed back on it than an adhoc temp would be because you're there longer and you can actually fix it!

Sounds to me like you want to be treated like an ad hoc temp on a longer more secure cover contract, so YABU. Longer cover is expected to actually cover the absent team members whole role, not just "Babysit" their classes IYKWIM

Nowhere close.

I get £120 a day. Obviously out of that I pay tax, NI, etc.

Even so, £120 a day obviously works out at £600 a week.

£600 x 52 is £31,200 so even then I'm on considerably less than I would be as even a regular teacher on a FT permanent contract.

But of course I don't get paid over holidays, and there are at least 11 weeks of this. So yearly my rate would be £24,600. Slightly more than an NQT, but then if I'm ill I don't get paid, or for bank holidays I suppose.

Tinsel I wouldn't dream of babysitting the classes but there is a middle ground here.

I certainly think it's reasonable to get me to cover. What isn't (imo) reasonable is to demand I produce extensive SOW in 'free periods" I don't get because I am on cover.

I also don't think it's reasonable to place me covering lessons I don't know the first thing about and then critique them.

Really, it should come down to what is best for the children. They deserve to have their lessons planned, their books marked, and their teacher knowing and involved in departmental issues.

Beyond that, I feel payment should be provided. But it isn't the money. It's the sick feeling I have that nothing I do will be good enough.

Firstly who are these "people" who "keep coming in and making notes?"

We have drop in, no notice observations but this is your classroom so you should be able to speak to anyone who drops in and ask them who they are and what their purpose is.

It sounds to me as if you are being too nice, and they are walking all over you.

If this is a long term supply rather than a contract direct with the school for maternity cover etc then they are asking too much.

I would ask the agency to find you something else but on your final weeks try to be more assertive.

How much notice do you have to give them?

Life's too short! Get out of there!

I think it's reasonable to contribute to SOWs and not have the rest of the department covering for a person that's already got cover - i.e. you!
Massive difference between expecting a supply teacher to plan their own lessons (totally reasonable and nobody would expect the team to be planning for a long term cover) and expecting them to contribute to schemes of learning.

Contributing to schemes of learning in every place I've worked is doing long term planning and resourcing for the department. That's not reasonable for a supply teacher.

Sounds like most schools now, mine have several long term supply (at least half a term) and all are expected to come in early, provide after school clubs, learn the marking codes/standards and contribute to shared planning. This seems to be standard for the last four schools I've been in to be honest.

I would speak to your agency. We have had a lot of supply in my department and would expect them to be planning, marking etc like the rest of the department. When I have spoken to agencies they say they expect the same. I wouldn't expect anything to be done over the holidays obviously but the agencies say that when we have supply they are there to do the workload of a member r of staff at the school. If you're not happy with what the school are asking you if look for something else. Yes you don't get holidays eye paid for but your daily rate is much higher than the normal daily rate of a teacher so it should be expected that you do some of these tasks. If you planning on staying there I would sit down with your head of department and ask what are the issues and how can you address them and exactly what do they expect of you in terms of workload.

I would speak to your agency. We have had a lot of supply in my department and would expect them to be planning, marking etc like the rest of the department. When I have spoken to agencies they say they expect the same. I wouldn't expect anything to be done over the holidays obviously but the agencies say that when we have supply they are there to do the workload of a member r of staff at the school. If you're not happy with what the school are asking you if look for something else. Yes you don't get holidays eye paid for but your daily rate is much higher than the normal daily rate of a teacher so it should be expected that you do some of these tasks. If you planning on staying there I would sit down with your head of department and ask what are the issues and how can you address them and exactly what do they expect of you in terms of workload.

I don't know why it double posted but I'd definitely be saying something about ppl coming in and making notes in your lesson, that seems totally out of order

Can I ask why you don't just tell your husband that you're leaving that job and returning to the agency? Does it actually matter to him? Why would he have a say in that decision? You're not leaving a permanent job for supply teaching, it's still agency work...

Have you told DH you are going to quit and never work again? Or are you planning to phone the agency and find something straight away? If it's the latter, I don't see why you have to "persuade" him. As long as you are fulfilling your agreed financial responsibilities, I don't see what business it is of his. Your agreement was a low stress casual job, not this. If you can find something else relatively easily, then life is way too short to be unhappy.

Honestly, it's the thought of exactly this that puts me off going back to teaching. I feel sick and uneasy for you. It's difficult as you are long term supply so I'd probably expect you to be doing some of your own planning...but not SOW, just using existing sow to inform your lesson plans. You were clear that you would be leaving early, so that is what you will do. As far as marking goes have the school given you a marking scheme? If so yes, I be expecting you to stick to it. But please don't make yourself ill over this. It's not a permanent job and they wouldn't hold it open for you over your mat leave etc so why should you jump through hoops for them?

"I have been told I have to contribute to the department and produce SOW"
That is very odd for supply. Unheard of. You are certainly not being paid for that.

"I have had my books checked and told my marking is wrong and I am highlighting in the wrong colours."
Well assuming you are marking in school time, I suppose feedback is reasonable.

"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."
You are not paid outside of directed time (typically 10-15 min after school day).

We hope our supply teacher keeps the kids in the room with no serious injuries, anything more is a bonus. I've never heard (or experienced when on supply) anything like what you describe.

Thanks for your replies.

Just to be clear - I have NO contract with the school.

Re dh, it is just that DD is booked into nursery now and it's unlikely I'd get much if any supply now so we'd lose a lot of money by losing a nursery place we don't need.

I'd stay the next 3 weeks, then tell them you're sorry you can't meet their expectations as you have a young child as you said when you took the role originally. The role seems bigger than you had thought & you've enjoyed working there but want the school to be getting what they need which means someone else... In sept there will surely be loads of supply work again?

Best case, they might actually hear your concerns & make some changes to the role if they want to keep you!

I think an 'amicable divorce' is the best way forward

I agree its time to part company OP.