To think that schools are a toxic working environment?

[Piwlyfbicsly]

AIBU to think that? I don't want to be outed, so I will just say that I am a SEN TA (after a career change), I enjoy my actual job a lot, but am not enjoying the attitudes of some colleagues who made my life a living hell to the point I struggled to fall asleep in the night going through all the abuse I have received during the day.
Your experiences are welcome. I will never give up my job. It's quite low paid and it's not easy, but I love what I am doing and want to make it last.

I taught abroad for many years and was thrilled when my DH was transferred to the UK. Well that was shortlived, I have to say I have never come across such bullying, toxicity and nastiness as the first few schools I was in. Thankfully I’m in a lovely school now but I ended up with severe anxiety and on medication for a while.
I don’t get why TAs are not better paid and more respected here. To me my TAs over the years have been life savers and I literally could not have done my job without them.
Don’t give up OP you will find a school where you will be appreciated. Keep applying for jobs and you’ll find a great workplace eventually. 💐

My school is now fantastic with a fabulous SLT and in a great trust but until 6 years ago we had a head who I can only describe as psychotic. I only stayed as the rest of the staff were lovely. I've been there 11 years now and it's never been better but the atmosphere in those days was one of bullying and intimidation. So please don't put up with it if it affects you badly

I’m sad to hear this is your experience of working in a school as a TA, it shouldn’t be like that. I absolutely love working in a school mainly because of all the wonderful people (adults and children!) and if it weren’t for that, there’s no way I’d put up with the amount of responsibility I have for what I am paid.

I worked in one that was very cliquey and toxic.
Keep a record of everything and join a union if you're not in one already is my advice.
And don't put up with it.

In my experience schools are either great places to work or horrific.

I don't think I ever worked in a school that was "ok". It was one or the other.

The attitude of the HT and how they deal with any cliques are the key.

I had a wonderful manager who retired, followed by a nightmare of one - a liar, a bully, mean - who made my life a misery.

Luckily my Headteacher has been amazingly supportive - without that, and the support from so many friends at work - I would not have been able to put up with it much longer and had the strength and guidance to fight back.

I now do not work for the nightmare manager as the decision was taken to change team structure. Thank goodness

@CoRhona
That's what I am dreaming about. To not to see the toxic colleagues through circumstances/to be moved etc. I don't even feel angry much anymore. I just want not to see them and not to deal with them

Op, are you in a union? I found that although they weren't that great even saying I was in one gave me a bit of clout.

So sorry you’re going through this. I worked for a toxic head teacher who nearly destroyed me, I left and did some supply teaching (great way to find the good schools) which really boosted my confidence and helped me identify the toxic schools. Funnily enough I had worked at the school previously and was described as an asset to any school by the previous head teacher. Staff turn over was very high and one staff member was under so much pressure she developed preeclampsia and gave birth prematurely.

OP thanks for responding- it must be awful for you especially as your other skills and experience are apparently devalued too - can’t offer any constructive advice as don’t work in education - but stay strong and ignore the haters! You’ll see that others have been in similar situations so you are not alone

It filters down from the HT. A lot of HT arent fit for the job and get entrenched in their ego driven power trips.

I think from.there they forget schools are there to serve kids, not employ adults to pay the rent. Once you loose sight of why you are there it all goes to shit as there is no ethos

I worked for a wonderful school where I had no issues for years. But we moved and I ended up in a school with a bitch headteacher who eroded all my confidence. I eventually left and started somewhere else, but there have been a couple of incidents between myself and colleagues where my words and actions have been misunderstood and even though I've apologised and tried to make things better it all just feels awful. If I could leave I would but I can't for various reasons.

My self-esteem honestly couldn't get any lower. All I can think about is how I must be a really shit teacher/person. And I'll be thinking about it all half-term because we can't meet to try and sort things until afterwards. All my joy in my job is gone too.

So, OP, I totally understand where you're coming from. I have no answers, sorry. If I did I wouldn't be in this situation, I suppose.

@Legoandloldolls

It filters down from the HT. A lot of HT arent fit for the job and get entrenched in their ego driven power trips.

I think from.there they forget schools are there to serve kids, not employ adults to pay the rent. Once you loose sight of why you are there it all goes to shit as there is no ethos

I think a lot of problems can come from HT's who were brilliant teachers, but they are crap managers of adults.

@KatherineOfGaunt (and for the end of term )