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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to walk out of this school today

182 replies

Coronationstreet · 07/09/2022 07:00

I'm only covering a couple of weeks' leave as a supply teacher so my last day is a week on Friday, but even that seems impossible.
The year 7 and 8 classes are good. Not perfect,but manageable.
9 are ok. Year 10, it depends.
Year 11 however are absolutely despicable.
It's a massive top set, 34 of them. Didn't even have enough desks yesterday

OP posts:
Original poster
Coronationstreet · 07/09/2022 07:01

Oops I didn't finish posting!

OP posts:
Pigsinmuck · 07/09/2022 07:03

If you are supply then I would walk out. You don’t need the stress, unless you really need the money!

PyjamaFan · 07/09/2022 07:03

You're supply so you don't have to stay. When I was a supply teacher I twice agreed to a week covering a class and then changed my mind after the first day. It's one of the advantages.

loudlylikealion · 07/09/2022 07:03

Yeah it's fine, if you're not enjoying it and don't care about the money and it's not going to affect you being chosen for other jobs just walk.

PyjamaFan · 07/09/2022 07:04

And be honest with your agency about why. I always was and it meant they could find me positions in the right schools.

Original poster
Coronationstreet · 07/09/2022 07:07

All boys.
They literally act as if I'm not there. There's no point in me speaking to them as they can't hear me.
There are about 5 or 6 who will listen, be quiet when asked and that is it. The rest just do not respect me.
I put so many behaviour points on the system yesterday. They act like they have a free period or breaktime, they do not even look at me.
A lot of them do some work but they still ignore me.
I had a pair of scissors pointed at me yesterday, I've been sworn at, and some of them are honestly quite threatening and intimidating.
Several of them speak to me like I'm trash.
I asked the deputy head to come in yesterday, he came for a couple of minutes but he can't stay the whole lesson.
The noise level is unacceptable. I feel so ashamed and embarrassed. I literally can't teach them.
I kept them behind a couple of minutes yesterday except for the good ones, but it won't make any difference, also it's my lunch I'm losing too.
A lunchtime detention won't make them reformed characters and I don't have time to ring literally 25 sets of parents.
I thought of putting them all on a detention today at the start and they'll have to earn it off but they'll probably not even listen.
I've emailed the head of year for support today.
There's also no on call system here, no LSAs in any lessons.
I just want to walk out. However I don't want to let the school down. They'll get another supply for a week as they have to but I feel unfair to them.
Not sure what to do?

OP posts:
Original poster
Coronationstreet · 07/09/2022 07:09

They also trash the classroom, chuck water over each other, all jeer as a class

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loudlylikealion · 07/09/2022 07:11

Definitely leave and tell them why. Or refuse to take that class. If they get through 5 different supply teachers who cares its the classes problem, at that age they should know how to behave and if they can't be bothered why should you bother trying to teach them.

PyjamaFan · 07/09/2022 07:12

Having read your longer post, definitely leave and tell the agency exactly why.

Original poster
Coronationstreet · 07/09/2022 07:13

I also teach a non core subject that most of them didn't choose or want

OP posts:
Original poster
Coronationstreet · 07/09/2022 07:14

I've tried stressing the importance of their GCSE year etc. But they don't care about this subject.
The class size is also ridiculous, it's a tiny room too.
If i didn't have year 11 I would be happy to stay at the school.

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rnsaslkih · 07/09/2022 07:15

I’d leave immediately and tell the head that you fear for your safety. Scissors pointed at you, intimidation, etc.

historygeek · 07/09/2022 07:18

Could you speak to the HOD? If a supply teacher said these things to me about a class, I would take that group and have the supply take the class I should be teaching

Original poster
Coronationstreet · 07/09/2022 07:20

The problem is we're in the MFL dept and she teaches a language that I don't speak at all so I don't know if it would be possible but thanks.
If it were just a few culprits I could have them sent next door or whatever but when its 85% of the class who are just talking over you.
The school also doesn't want us to give blanket behaviour points

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Original poster
Coronationstreet · 07/09/2022 07:21

I mean it's a language with a completely different alphabet etc. So even as cover work i think I'd struggle

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Cap89 · 07/09/2022 07:22

Seems pretty clear why the permanent teacher isn’t there!! The school will be fully aware of the problems with this group and if they want you to stay need to take some responsibility and support you with the behaviour. How many more lessons do you have with y11? If it’s loads then leave and explain why. If it’s just one or two more and the school put in more support you might be able to face it for the other classes? Only you know.

picklemewalnuts · 07/09/2022 07:23

Is this the religious school? It was suggested previously that you inform the parents.

I think this is a bigger issue the school needs to address. Tell them you will leave unless something is done and give them a chance to work on it. Then go, if you can.

Original poster
Coronationstreet · 07/09/2022 07:23

I heard them saying the usual teacher is 'really strict' so that will mean she's just doing a good job.

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Original poster
Coronationstreet · 07/09/2022 07:24

I have them 3 times a week including today so 6 more sadly..

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ZooMount · 07/09/2022 07:25

I think you should either leave, or if you've spoken to the HOD or a member of SLT and explained the situation and they still haven't put anything in place to support you I would just think of it as babysitting for an hour and not stress about it. You're not going to build a relationship or change behaviour over night if it's so bad now. You're only there another week that can't be that many more lessons. Just get through it.

cansu · 07/09/2022 07:25

This is on SLT. They need to sort it so you can do the job. I would tell them that unfortunately the behaviour of this class is not on and you will not be able to complete the two weeks.

itsjustnotok · 07/09/2022 07:26

@Coronationstreet i would walk. I’m so sorry that you are experiencing this. It’s a shame that their behaviour is so poor. I’m sure some will make excuses but if they are already treating a teacher like this what hope is there for general society. Such a shame you can’t just call each parent and tell them what a nightmare their kid is.

loudlylikealion · 07/09/2022 07:27

I had a pair of scissors pointed at me yesterday, I've been sworn at, and some of them are honestly quite threatening and intimidating. for your own safety do not teach this class.

loudlylikealion · 07/09/2022 07:28

itsjustnotok · 07/09/2022 07:26

@Coronationstreet i would walk. I’m so sorry that you are experiencing this. It’s a shame that their behaviour is so poor. I’m sure some will make excuses but if they are already treating a teacher like this what hope is there for general society. Such a shame you can’t just call each parent and tell them what a nightmare their kid is.

I imagine they are the same with their parents.

Cap89 · 07/09/2022 07:28

Ugh 6 more times is a lot. Problem is they will know you are supply, so unless you have clear backing from permanent school staff and the kids know consequences will be followed up by them, they will see little point in bothering to behave. I’d speak to the HoD sharpish, see if head of year can be involved, explain the situation, see today through and if there’s no improvement and support from the school, walk. As long as you feel safe teaching them today that is.