To think i'm not cut out to be a teacher ?

[Comfyslippers28]

I've just realised I don't actually enjoy it that much, and it's not fair on the kids. I do like the kids themselves, but it's just too much.
I'm in an 'inaqeduate' school in a deprived area. The top sets are around 35 kids in most classes, it's just far too many.

I have a set 2 year 7 class and it's just horrific. They just will not behave for me. About 15% of them are lovely and hardworking, and it's just not fair on them at all because we don't get through anything.

Another teacher had them one lesson and they were absolutely fine for her. I've tried using the behaviour policy, positive language, phone calls, everything. They are just out of control, and I can't get the whole class to be quiet. I always have SLT walking past, seeing what's going on and having to come in to tell them off and it makes me feel like i'm rubbish at the job.

I just don't enjoy the having to be 'on' constantly, having to have a script. Never getting a proper break because there is always stuff to do.
Also have a 1h15 commute each way to school.
The other issue at the moment is that i'm cover but doing a teacher role without the salary. This is the 2nd time I have told them about this.
I really resent it and I feel like a fool, I don't want to be taken advantage of.
I just don't know if it's the career for me. I'm good at speaking to people and helping people, and I think with my qualifications, skills and experience I deserve a better standard of living.

Not sure if it would be better in other schools. Anyone else left teaching and gone into a new career ?

Thanks for the replies. The only long-term teachers in our dept. Are part-time, 3 others were new in Sept and have now quit.
Maybe it is a case of trying another school. I come out with £500 less per month roughly than an NQT would.
Just don't want to go on like this, so I hope the 2nd discussion I have had today will help to sort things out, if not I will be looking elsewhere.

Again, many thanks for all suggestions.

Sign up with more agencies and get paid properly for supply rather than as a cover supervisor.

There is loads of 'proper' supply and you only need to give 1 week's notice.

One thing to do with the class you are having problems with, phone the parents of the 'good' kids, tell them how much you appreciate then even if you don't have time to acknowledge it in class.

If one of the trouble makers does something positive ring the parents and say how they have improved.

I have to start with admitting that I love teaching. But I work in secondary too and my first year I was in tears a lot. Second year was better. Third year, the kids accepted me and it was very different. It's a very tight knit community but I hear most secondary kids are the same in most schools. So. You actually can't tell yet how it will be. I defy anyone who doesn't teach secondary to understand what a disdainful class can do, over a year, to an adult's confidence and competence. It's awful. Kids are great but they can act like a pack of wolves and it is VERY cool to upset their teacher. Y7 are hideous this time of year. Getting confident but actually still way too young to act reasonably. Ughhh give me sulky year 10's any day!!

What I would say is you NEED to feel respected by the people around you and it does not sound like they do. Maybe try one more year but on proper wages in another school?

This is fucking ridiculous, no wonder you're miserable. Get an mfl job elsewhere where you will be better valued.

In the meantime, What languages are you teaching?

And while you are there, use whatever sanctions are available. Every class has max 3 ringleaders. Try to work out who they are. Detention after detention after detention until they know they have to be civil. After two weeks of that, most children will give in. Forget about 'not looking angry enough' as looking angry just amuses the kids anyway!! Take away some of their social time as often as school policy allows. Word will spread that you are strict even if you move from class to class.

I agree with Fizzy. Don't even be cross. Just be matter of fact and follow the policy - 'you're talking when I'm talking, that's your first warning'. Or whatever the policy is. I sympathise as it is hard in an inadequate school.

You must leave this school. The school is being very unfair. It sounds like there is absolutely no reason to stay. Long commute, crap pay, inadequate school. There must be other jobs closer to home. Give it a go in another school with qualified teacher status and pay. Try part time. Then if you are still not happy and feeling like you can't do the job, quit the profession.

Quite simply, the kids think that you aren’t a “real teacher” so play up - they will do it for any supply/cover
By acting as a teacher you are actually your own worst enemy here - they employed you as a cover supervisor so think that’s what you are. You need to stop being a teacher - unless marking is part of your job, don’t do it. if no work is allocated, use a text book to do “copy page 20 into your exercise book & answer the questions on the board” type lessons. Or worksheets printed off the internet at absolute most.
If another teacher says they need to be at x point, ask for the resources to get them there.
The school will take advantage of you whilst you let them. If you want to stay, organise a meeting with the head to see if they will employ you as a teacher on a temporary /permanent contract. If they won’t, simply work to rule for a while whilst looking for another job ... you have nothing to lose!

I’d maybe try a different school first and if I still hated it then I’d leave. But if the thought of that fills you with dread then it’s time to go!

I have friends and relatives who teach ,and I dont know how they do it TBH! Your position sounds horrendous and very unfair to me .Maybe see what your union says ?I am guessing you took this post as it was hard to find a NQT role .Now you have some experience, maybe apply again for Sept term to a new school.There are many jobs you could apply for ,but Teaching has holidays off and a good pension .

A close friend of mine gave up teaching, he worked in a school where the behaviour was like you described and he felt out if his depth. He was going for a complete career change but got offered a great job at a different school so favour another go. He is still there over 20 years later and has lived it. He moved up to head of dept, head of year and is now head of pastoral care.

So what else would you like to do? Which languages do you speak? Do you want to use them? Do something totally different?

I would just try to get a proper teaching job when you will be paid a decent salary for what you do. I have no idea why you should be planning if you are a cover supervisor - this seems exploitative to me. Personally I moved to sixth form A Levels and resit GCSE and I love it.

Thanks for the latest replies. I speak French and Spanish. There was an interview for MFL teacher at the school, but I didn't get the job (obviously or I wouldn't be writing this lol)
There were 5 candidates including me.
There are a few different roles i'd like to do, using the languages or otherwise.
I've only been there since January and i'm just worried about it looking bad on my CV if I apply to other things.

I'm coming out with just over 1100 a month, which I know is not THAT bad. But where I live, there's no way you could even rent a 1-bed flat, run a car, and have some sort of life apart from living very frugally.

It's not all about money I know, but i'm not being correctly paid by a long shot and i'm glad I have spoken out now.

This thread has helped me to feel more confident and assured, I won't continue much longer in this situation, so thank you.

I would either look at changing schools or going on supply.

Short term supply you wouldn't have to plan, you'd be on at least £100 a day and can walk out at 3:30. If you don't like the school you don't have to go back. Then in the holidays see if there's any temp work around. I think there's a supply board on here and also TES with support for supply teachers, such as what you will need to survive, such as knowing the behaviour policy and implementing it, knowing the school routine etc.

The school sounds awful and it's great you're thinking of the children but sometimes your own mental health needs to come first. I'd only consider staying if a new head came in and implemented a decent behaviour policy. If children are not behaving in your class and you're following the behaviour policy, SLT should be on top of this supporting you. They're obviously not so I think you're fighting a losing battle.

I wouldnt quit teaching over 1 class or even 1 school. What you describe would not be allowed in my children's school.

But if you fancy a change of career, rather than feeling chased out of teaching, then fair enough. Dont wait til you burn out.

I remember from my school days that cover teachers were treated differently. I think it is hard to be a cover teacher.

Thanks. I just worry about supply work not being stable, I had a friend who had virtually no work in September, I don't have many savings or a partner and need a fixed income.
I will look into it though, long-term supply would be good.
You're right, it's not worth it over one class at all. I'm going to get tough with them Monday, and if that results in 10 detentions being given out then so be it.
I'll start looking on TES.

Been in your shoes OP. I went to the head who flatly told me there was no money to pay me for the additional work/responsibility/marking I was expected to do.

It's not you, it's them. Cover is HARD. The kids know, they can smell the uncertainty even in your core subject when the work left (if it is) is anything more challenging than colouring in, a word search or topic-related film/documentary.

Your cover manager is ineffective. Go to HR. Speak to your union. Speak to the Head.

I quit a month after my head basically telling me tough shit. I'm now in a much better school where I feel supported and valued. And I get paid properly for the work I do.

Some shitty schools do it. I knew of teachers who went through the same- employing qualified teachers as 'supply' or 'cover' and then make them teach instead of teachers who left or who were not recruited. You also have schools which are as crap towards full time permanent members of staff on qualifies teahcer's salary. With teaching, the management is everything. You can work in the most deprived area but with supportive management, it can be the best job. Or the best area with high ability kids, shitty management and have a nervous breakdown every week.
Just apply for a different job elsewhere. It can be a great profession if you find a right place. Dont think badly of youself ever, the fact that the class behaved for someone else does not mean you are a bad teacher. Kids can be cruel and manipulating like this as well. I once taught a y7 class full of bullies (and they were bullying me! Imagine how that sounded when I tried to explain it to their head of year and she was full of disbelief). I later on found a different job and loved it for a few years before the headteacher changed and ruined the school...

Also, don't think it would reflect badly on the CV- roloes as supply and cover supervisor are not usually ones where QT spend ages anyways, you can put it in your cover letters that you used the experience to stay in the sector and getting valuable experience, sell itas something positive and how working in a difficult school enhanced you behaviour management techniques and that you even got a chance to do planning and marking (which short term supply may not do, but it works in your favour if you do that!!!) and that you are up to date with current curriculum changes (again daily supply may not get a chance to be exposed to that). So it may be in a way a positive thing to be able to show you get to do a bunch of things teachers do anyways, use it to your advantage.

l am an ex teacher.
Yeah you need to leave.
It’s only worth the vast amount of work and shit you put up with if you genuinely love it. And only the teachers who love it are any good. There’s no shame in admitting it’s not for you. Leave before it gobbles up your life and happiness.

Haven’t read all replies but feel for you. At my last school, cover supervisors were not qualified teachers. They were often people who has been lunchtime supervisors, or TAs who wanted more responsibility. Their duties did not extend beyond being in front of the class, certainly no marking or preparation. You are being taken advantage of and treated very very badly. But, I would not write off teaching unless you’ve had a chance to work in a good school with a supportive behaviour policy as others have suggested.

Lilyamna
Nothing the OP has said has suggested she is unsuitable to be a teacher. No one would love being exploited in a poorly run school.

OP- agree with most other posters, leave the school, hopefully get a job somewhere better and if you still don’t like it then find something else.