To feel broken by teaching, and need to know how to get out?

[SachaStark]

Name changed for obvious reasons.

I haven't slept all night after coming to the realisation yesterday that I'm finished with teaching. My school is unsupportive in every way imaginable, so I can't ask a colleague for help with figuring out what to do (it would all be fed back along to SLT), so can I please ask here?

How do you leave secondary school teaching when you're not going into another teaching role? Could I leave before the end of the school year? At this point, I don't even care if I don't have another job lined up, I just can't bear the thought of work.

Update, please!

From personal experience of teaching English in an FE setting- it is exactly the same as what you are describing at secondary. You're more than welcome to message me if you have any questions about what's involved.

Ooh, this is me too. Any advice gratefully received.

I agree with BobLob, FE college jobs are the same and often sessional so the planning and marking is supposed to be included in the hourly rate you get for a 2 hour class, for example. For me, it made some classes less than minimum wage. They are also massive organisations (where I live) and not very friendly or supportive. I have done secondary, SEN and FE and I'm now a virtual admin assistant, 1 guess which job I'm happiest in..

This all resonates with me too. First day back today and it's everything people have been talking about here.

I am going to spend my summer holidays getting my ducks in order so I can leave.

Hello everyone, sorry, it has been insanely busy, I will do a proper update on my own situation shortly, but I wanted to say thanks again to those who are here giving advice, and all my sympathy to those in the same position as me.

56 teaching days to go until the end of the year!

I have been to a range of job interviews for different schools, and FE colleges, just in case the problem could be fixed by a change of school. Well, I didn't get any of them, and the last one, the head made a big speech in the morning all about how their school had staff who didn't mind working in the holidays/every day after school for Year 11, and never asked for any extra money or time back for this... and I thought, fuck that! That's what I'm trying to get away from!

Walked away from that last one thinking, "I've done everything I can to stay full time, now I'm FREE!"

Best of luck, know exactly how you feel, I taught English for 18 years in London. Tried moving into private schools, despite my personal politics but it ended up just as bad. Get out now if you can, it does not get easier. I eventually moved countries. Not worth your mental health.

Okay, update! I'll try to keep it to bullet point style paragraphs, as the whole thing is so darn convoluted.

One detail I left out previously (worried I would be outed) is that I also head up media studies in the school, alongside English. So, as I said previously, I informed my line manager that I was ill, and considering leaving teaching. CONSIDERING. In a private letter.

This was then passed on to the head, who confronted me about it. He shouldn't even be aware of this yet, it was a private letter.

Anyway, they have now cancelled media studies next year on the assumption that I am leaving. They have nothing from me in writing at all.

What was much, much worse, was that a colleague of mine, a TA in the school (was previously a media teacher before becoming similarly burnt out) handed in her notice to go to work at another school with better pay. Head called her down to his office, and offered her my job as media studies teacher. They still have nothing from me in writing. So my job is being offered whilst I am still currently employed to teach it, with only the merest hint that I will be going.

Needless to say, she didn't take the job, and there was a whole other mess with that poor girl going.

Head has just been to see me this lunchtime to ask me to come to his office after school to discuss when I will hand in my notice. For heavens sake, he only knows about this because somebody essentially passed on my private letter regarding my health. He shouldn't even know about it yet. He also used the time to publicly "tell off" another member of staff in front of everyone in our staff room. This place...

No idea what I will say to him after school to be honest. I do NOT want to be pushed out early, as I won't be paid for the summer. And surely it's my business when I hand my notice in?!

Really very sad to read this thread. Both personally (the poor OP) and generally (the whole teaching profession).

Its really hard to see the life is [being] sucked out of possibly excellent teachers. There is a part of me though that can't help feeling why don't they revolt though, rather than just leaving? Is that naive?

I'd also hate to think of my son being taught by miserable, exhausted, stressed teachers who seem to have no control or creativity or recourse over their working life and as a result effectively hate their job. I haven't read the whole thread I should add.

Teaching unions do call strikes sometimes, TooReal, or some union members do work to rule, if that's what you mean by revolt?

But when we do it, parents complain, and the tide of public opinion is against us.

My sister complained about 2014 strike as it was about teacher pensions, and she thought they were plenty! I think 2016 strike was more generally about funding and bigger classrooms teachers had to struggle with. But if the teaching profession is generally in the kind of state the posters (I've seen) have indicated, surely NUT should be doing more to support their members ... ?

I may have missed something but PLEASE contact the teacher support network if you haven’t already. You are not alone as you have seen from this thread. Sadly it is far too common. Teachers support network help colegues with this type of stress daily they understand, are supportive will listen and advise and they are free.

Sorry it’s now called the Educational Support Partnership. On line or phone 08000562561.

Hope that the meeting with the head was not too bad. Thinking of you op. It’s really tough. You deserve better than this.

Thank you for suggesting that contact, Riv, I will likely be using that over the weekend.

Meeting with the head was horrid. Essentially, it is forced notice in the form of a threat. But very cleverly with nothing in writing, and delivered hidden amongst lots of mumbling about support... Just fucking fantastic.

55 days to go.

Do contact the network. They are good. Also your union. You have a right to take someone into any meeting with the head as a witness and I would advise it in the future just for your own protection.
If you feel forced to resign, especially with the evidence you have of parts of your job being offered to someone else, that could constitute a form of dismissal for which you can claim compensation and/ or take the head to an industrial tribunal. The head may not realise how serious her actions are.
In all events, if you do choose to resign make sure you put the last day of August as your leaving date NOT the last day of term. Check out the resignation proformas and advice on the (also) free TES website.
Good luck. You are not alone. Your difficulty is sadly very common and there is support. You need to look after yourself you are important and you will be strong again.

Have you contacted them?
Hugs.

Please contact the union. So many rules have been broken here. They will give you official advice and also come along to represent you at any future meetings. In my experience, the involvement of the union is the only time a school will respond and listen. So sorry to hear of this dreadful experience. No wonder teachers are leaving in their droves!

Thank you for the recommendation, Riv, I spoke on the live chat with them yesterday, and it helped loads.

Have just got into work, but about to ring my GP to ask for a call back in anticipation of having a difficult day. Feeling very anxious about it all. Have to meet with the head again this morning. Basically, it was intimated to me on Thursday that if I didn't hand in my notice today, then I would be under investigation by the governors. I asked on what grounds, and couldn't be given a straight answer.

Obviously, I am not handing my notice in today. Have instead written out what I think has happened to me this year from my point of view. The governors can investigate that if they want to.

When giving notice state your leaving date is 31 August so you get paid for summer holidays. I have known cases where teachers give July as leaving date and then don't get paid for August.

Wow. The head was totally out of order. Sorry if I've missed it but have you contacted your union? They should be able to advise. And in your shoes I would hand my notice in totally when it suited me and not the head. Did you tell him you are only considering leaving and nothing definite decided?

Have got a doctor phone call booked this afternoon. Trying to give myself a feeling of security, so at least if it's really, truly awful, I can speak to somebody today.

I have only ever intimated that I am considering leaving. He only knows about this because a private letter regarding my diagnosis was forwarded to him.

Do not go to speak with the Head without taking someone with you, preferably someone in the same union as you.
This is extreme intimidation.
I taught for 38 years and encountered a bullying HOD in my 3rd year. Standing up to them was hard, but the experience made me stronger.
It’s sad that you are in this position. Sending you my very best wishes for your future.

Call in your union. Don't be pushed out until you're ready

I had a bullying head. /hugs

Definitely get representation for witnessing all instances where this will be discussed, not just meetings - in corridor updates are particularly awkward but be firm. Report all violations where you tell them you cannot discuss this without your rep and they continue anyway.

Gather evidence (as advised by union), particularly of the passing on of confidential medical information (though they could argue against that) and the job offer based on trying to force you out.

That way, if and and when you are forced to leave, you can demonstrate the bullying, hostile work environment and possibly even a case for constructive dismissal with the additional cancellation of your class for next year.

Glad the help line helped and that you've arranged a GP appointment. Sending strong positive thought and hugs. You are a strong capable woman and shouldn't be subject to this bullying behaviour.
PLEASE don't go to that meeting alone. Take a friend, preferably the union rep, but anyone as a witness is better than going alone. They are less likely to bully with a witness, and the other person can take notes and confirm what was said. They are less likely to be stressed and so better able to hear what is said in a calmer way and help you reflect afterwards.
Don't resign verbally in the meeting do it in writing WHEN you are ready. The letter for leaving at the end of August does not have to be in until the end of May.
Send a copy of the notes you have made to your union so that they have a dated copy on file, just in case, even if you don't need it later.
stay strong.