To be really upset at the feedback Ive just received from my agency?

[ManonBlackbeak]

Just that really. Ive been doing supply work as a TA in schools for the last few years, enjoy it and have had lots of long term placements. I get asked back all the time to lots of schools. Not boasting but I always get good feedback, or did until today.

Signed up with another agency at the start of the year to try and keep my options open, and was offered a week long placement in one of the few schools Ive not been to in our area. Seemed really nice, actually very nice and was looking forward to going back. To cut a long story short the agency just rang and told me that they don't want me back because they think Im odd or a weirdo. Or both. Basically when Im tired I twitch my eyes and this is apparently odd and was commented on by the teacher, they also thought I was talking to myself. I wasn't as far as Im aware, but then doesn't everyone occasionally! Honestly it was a pure character assasination and a general attack on who I am that has made me feel like a piece of shit. I know im a bit quirky and eccentric, but this is who I am and no one has ever commented on it in over four years. Why did the consultant even tell me? Surely a short 'they didn't think you were right for them' should suffice.

So as not to drip feed I suffer from dreadful anxiety (the facial twitch is related to that), and this has me me feel awful. Just so shitty and makes me wonder why I bother?

Fuck them. Go back to old agency.
How unprofessional on school and agency

I’d drop that agency for a start. If you are often asked back to other schools then obviously it’s not an issue to anyone else.

I know its them not me, but its made me feel so awful. Im odd, I know and strongly suspect im on the autism spectrum. Never diagnosed, but its never been a problem. The best thing is the school had loads of SEN children, yet seem quite happy to make offensive statements about me.

Jesus that's quite unprofessional of the person at the agency.

This happened to me once, I was full of a cold and got emergency called into a school about 8:45, so rushed in, they begged me to go in as they had no one else. The day went fine and the children are lovely. Got a call the next day when I was off ill saying there was a "personal hygiene issue" and that there was an "odour" when I was around in the classroom. Now I had showered that morning and wore perfume etc. And the only thing I can put it down to is that "ill" smell you sometimes get! I always check I'm hygienic and don't smell 

It really confused me why they would ring me to tell me, as it was a one off and the consultant even said "We've never had any negative feedback about anything to do with you, ever" She tried to say it was because she'd want someone to tell her but I thought it was really unnecessary.

But even the staff at the school, I can't imagine being the type of person to even bring it up, if it had nothing to do with how you did your job! Just try to ignore it x

I understand, it’s a horribly personal thing to say about anyone on supply and I can’t imagine my workplace even giving that sort of feedback (we would just say not suitable without giving details, not that we would even consider a tic as ‘unsuitable’).
Try and concentrate on what other schools have said about you and the solid evidence that you and your work are valued, as you have been asked back so much in the past.
And thank your lucky stars you don’t have to work somewhere they haven’t enough to think about and have time to pick holes in personal traits that don’t affect someone’s ability to do the job well.

Thing is the guy from agency wasn't rude, he said he had something sensitive to discuss with me and asked me if I have any odd quirks because the school were 'concerned' about it. Then he asked me if I have anxiety which I do, he said this wouldn't make them stop using me. But also told me to be mindful of it in future.

I would be leaving that agency. You are right, she shouldn't have told you the specifics. I really hope you can put this behind you and focus on all the schools that want you back!

Meh, they want robots who don’t show any character quirks let them find that person. It’s not like you can switch anxiety off on request, is it?

that’s awful, I’m not surprised you feel a bit shit after that. Totally unprofessional of them (agency and the school). Also makes me feel sad that you say the school has lots of SEN pupils - hopefully no one in the school thinks it’s ok to comment on anything “weird” about them. to you & hope you’re feeling better soon. Anxiety is horrible.

Beaglemomma thats just it. Why tell me, just say they didn't want you back or even they've cancelled it? I can't ever imagine saying something like that about someone. I actually feel like contacting the school and giving them a piece of my mind and asking them to think about how their words and actions can affect people.

WTF, “mindful” of your anxiety?!?! I’m siting you’re fucking mindful of it all day every day, right?!

*sure (not siting)!

@ManonBlackbeak I just didn't go back to that school ever, requested not to. Can you imagine being the "Supply who smelled bad" in the staff room!

I was so embarrassed! I'm only with one agency, and it's lucky the person who called me feels more like a friend than an employer. I had a bit of a cry on the phone as I was already feelings poorly and really delicate. I think she had good intentions with the call, but it didn't upset me any less.

I now won't do late morning calls, as I find them too stressful and in a rush. I'm the same though, it did make me super anxious and uncomfortable and now I feel like I'm really conscious constantly checking if I smell.

Just be yourself, like me, you have schools who love you and have you back time and time again!

I think he meant the way it made me behave rather than anxiety itself Mummatron.

The best thing is I actually put up their xmas decorations for them, did loads of laminating and cutting out. A yard duty, and lunchtime duty. Yet they comment on something I can't really help.

Screw them!

When I was doing my nurse training rotations required an assessment by me of the placement and by the mentor of me.

I got a dreadful assessment by one mentor despite no issues being mentioned on the actual placement, some really personal stuff. It was actually a paediatric placement (a nursery for children with special needs) and I have a LOT of experience caring for children including children with special needs. I did query an instruction I was given at one point but it was not a big deal in my opinion (regarding consistency of food for one child) but that's the only thing i could think of.

I went to my personal tutor in bits it was so harsh, she actually wasn't generally the most easy going of people herself but in the context of knowing me and all my other assessments had been quite honestly glowing (this was toward end of training) she said it said far more about them than me! That she suspected that mentor felt threatened by having a confident, experienced student for once who had dared to question her and not blithely accept everything she said and did as perfect.

That calmed me somewhat, a couple rotations later the mentor did similar but worse to another student (similar background to myself with loads of childcare experience) but what emerged due to certain comments she wrote on that students assessment was that the mentor seemed to have a "thing" about catholics.

I'm lapsed and was at the time but my maiden name is obviously of Irish origin and my comments about being from a big family etc meant she'd ascertained I'd been raised catholic.

The other student was french and practicing and was open about that and it really seemed to set the mentor off. That student had an awful time on placement and was just glad when it was over.

No idea what the woman's problem was but it was definitely her problem!

In your case it's sailing dangerously close to disability discrimination.

Any number of conditions and medications can cause muscle twitches it really isn't a big deal and children should be taught to be compassionate and understanding of difference anyway!

And as for talking to yourself everyone does that, some people without realising my mum does it all the time always has

I would feel very tempted to complain to the School. How mean!

I am very tempted Louloulovesyou. I don't think the agency would be best pleased, but screw them. I think the school needs to know how hurtful they have been, I don't where this 'feedback' came from? The head I assume

Graphista the only thing I can think of was that I commented as I was leaving how cold I was, and the receptionist I think thought I was saying the school was cold (It was a big old Victorian building) and said 'well you are wearing thin jumper'. But really why would you launch a personal attack based on that?

No, that's not on.

A school I once worked in regularly had in an agency supply who was a nightmare to work with (not saying for a minute you are!)

She'd be an absolute stroppy PITA from the moment she arrived to when she left - constantly sticking her beak into what went on in other classrooms, loudly expressing her opinions on how much better everything would be if she were the HT, telling everyone she'd be in a management role herself except y'know she didn't need the money & only did this for a hobby.

If she covered your lesson you'd find a helpful critique of your planning, in minute writing & with maximum passive aggressive to the fore, kindly left on your desk .

People used to hide from her in the staff room & HODs used to beg not be given her as a departmental cover, because she'd collar them & hold forth about how their department, especially the absent teacher, was bloody useless etc etc.

But the thing is, she took the lessons very effectively & rocked up on time & left the classroom tidy. She was absolutely competent to do her job.

If you are doing your job effectively, it shouldn't be about whether you're a bit quirky or whatever - & again, I'm certainly not suggesting you're hard work like the woman I described above. It's a job & you are doing it. That's the deal.

I'd suggest you just don't accept further supply bookings from that school. Sod them. You are appreciated & valued elsewhere.

I can't believe they were so rude as to have commented on that. My DH is a teacher at the top of his game and he has an eye twitch exacerbated by stress and tiredness so he basically has it most of the time in termtime. It has absolutely no effect on his work and no one has ever been so rude as to even mention it, let alone comment on it in relation to his performance. for you.

If your facial twitch and occasionally mumbling to yourself doesn’t affect your ability to do your job and socialise with the children and teachers as required to do I do t see the problem.

Dont worry about those fuckwits. Get something better. Is there any reason you can work for both agencies or go back to your old one.

Do I complain directly to the school or let it go? I really feel that they shouldn't be allowed to get away it, fine if you think im not very good at my job but this just feels far more personal than that.

I do still work for the other agency. They also pay more!

That's shocking and totally unprofessional! I'd be tempted to complain to the school! How rude!

Of course you can’t help a twitch but surely you can help talking to yourself. Personally I’d find it odd if I worked with a colleague that mumbled to themselves a lot.

No, I can’t even remember doing it Solidarityradiator.