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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 07:28

Thanks for all the replies.
I've emailed the head of year but no answer yet. The deputy head knows exactly what they are like.
I've had some asking my age and saying I look very young (ignored them) so what respect will they have for me

OP posts:
Imissmoominmama · 07/09/2022 07:30

If you can’t teach this class, there’s really little point in you being there. The school will be aware of the issues with this particular class, and are probably expecting you to say you can’t before long. It’s bad management on their part to put a supply teacher in with a class with these kind of issues- don’t feel guilty!

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 07/09/2022 07:31

That's really shit and sounds like you should step back from this class. Especially since the school won't allow you to discipline them properly. The threatening behaviour should be automatic suspension.

Are there options open to you that might engage them more? A film for example

Original poster
Coronationstreet · 07/09/2022 07:32

Sadly I'm the only teacher for this subject (the usual teacher is the only teacher in the school for this subject) so I literally teach the whole school

OP posts:
Dontjudgeme101 · 07/09/2022 07:33

Imissmoominmama · 07/09/2022 07:30

If you can’t teach this class, there’s really little point in you being there. The school will be aware of the issues with this particular class, and are probably expecting you to say you can’t before long. It’s bad management on their part to put a supply teacher in with a class with these kind of issues- don’t feel guilty!

This with bells on!

Original poster
Coronationstreet · 07/09/2022 07:33

I tried putting on a series but they mostly just ignored it. Or when an attractive woman came on they all started jeering loudly and making inappropriate comments

OP posts:
Lunificent · 07/09/2022 07:34

Life’s too short. Leave and tell the agency about the various ways I. Which the school, doesn’t have the basic support systems in place.

Mindymomo · 07/09/2022 07:34

I feel so very sorry for supply teachers. My son used to come home from school and tell me about how some of his classmates treated them. Fortunately in his case it was just a couple of idiots. There doesn’t seem to be any respect for supply teachers as it seems the children don’t bother engaging with them as they only have them for a short while. My son has also gone to the head of year to complain when he thought the supply teacher wasn’t getting treated properly.

Original poster
Coronationstreet · 07/09/2022 07:39

They also know their usual teacher is coming back as they had to write her name on their new book so that doesn't help

OP posts:
loudlylikealion · 07/09/2022 07:52

Can you tell them all apart from the ones who aren't disruptive to get out?

loudlylikealion · 07/09/2022 07:53

I mean I know obviously that then spreads the problem round the school but they won't threaten you then and you can teach your class. (Am obviously not a teacher!)

KyaClark · 07/09/2022 07:53

Haven't you posted this before? What I mean by that is, it's not gotten any better and it's clearly deeply impacting you.

Leave.

BloodyCamping · 07/09/2022 08:01

get the names of the main offenders and phone home (with department leads permission)

the sizzle pointer should be dealt with by the head

SirSamVimesCityWatch · 07/09/2022 08:02

It may not feel like it, but you have a lot of power here. You are teaching a MFL subject which is hard to get supply staff in and you are the only one teaching that subject to the whole school. Replacing you is an expensive pain in the arse.

So, decide what you want, go to your agency, tell them to get it for you, or tell them to find you a new post.

Being threatened with the scissors helps your case as no-one can argue with the safety aspect of it.

Would you stay if someone else took that year 11 class - ie. If you wrote the lessons but they were delivered by SLT? Or would you be willing to take the lessons but only with a member of SLT in every lesson with you, start to end?

Work out what you need to be able to stay. SLT spreading 6 hrs of teaching between them over the next two weeks is less hassle than finding a replacement - especially as the class would be just as shit as them and they'd probably end up with the exact same issue again.

KentuckyDerbyandJoan · 07/09/2022 08:08

Describing students as ‘despicable’ (deserving hatred and contempt) is grim, yes walk out for their sakes.

Pottedpalm · 07/09/2022 08:08

I think I would tell the school that I’m willing to complete the two weeks teaching the other classes but not year 11. If that is unacceptable, I would leave. You have flagged up the poor behaviour and asked for help so they are fully aware. Just calmly stick to your guns; ‘I will stay and teach the other classes but I cannot teach this class’. Maybe offer to cover a different class so someone can step in.
I was in this position when I did supply many years ago, with a top junior class (!). Their class teacher was to be off for six weeks and by week two I was the third supply teacher. The head looked as though she might fry when I said I wouldn’t continue, but it was such an unpleasant experience with a hostile class that I left.

Hillsmakeyoustrong · 07/09/2022 08:08

I would phone the parent of the boy who pointed scissors at you. I appreciate you don't have the time to phone all the parents but that is actually a crime and needs to be formally addressed.

Pottedpalm · 07/09/2022 08:09

Might cry! *

whatonearthh · 07/09/2022 08:09

Does the school have email addresses for the parents? I would draft a template email explaining the behaviour that has been going on and that said child has been participating and get the school secretary to send to the relevant parents?

loudlylikealion · 07/09/2022 08:10

KentuckyDerbyandJoan · 07/09/2022 08:08

Describing students as ‘despicable’ (deserving hatred and contempt) is grim, yes walk out for their sakes.

They are though.. they don't sound like they will be good members of society tbh

Pottedpalm · 07/09/2022 08:10

loudlylikealion · 07/09/2022 07:52

Can you tell them all apart from the ones who aren't disruptive to get out?

If only…

Soproudoflionesses · 07/09/2022 08:15

Sod that op....life is way too short for you to be in that situation

Gerdticker · 07/09/2022 08:15

I find it appalling that you are expected to teach in this environment, it must be intimidating with a class of 34 boisterous young men.

I would definitely walk out. And massively whistle blow in any way you can - Teachers should be able to teach, you're not a prison officer for christ's sake! No supply teacher can be expected to fix those kind of deep cultural issues.

I find the work of the Michaela school and katherine birbalsingh really interesting. The discipline structure is so watertight that teachers can just focus on the teaching, as it should be..

Good luck x

loudlylikealion · 07/09/2022 08:16

Gerdticker · 07/09/2022 08:15

I find it appalling that you are expected to teach in this environment, it must be intimidating with a class of 34 boisterous young men.

I would definitely walk out. And massively whistle blow in any way you can - Teachers should be able to teach, you're not a prison officer for christ's sake! No supply teacher can be expected to fix those kind of deep cultural issues.

I find the work of the Michaela school and katherine birbalsingh really interesting. The discipline structure is so watertight that teachers can just focus on the teaching, as it should be..

Good luck x

What do they do? Do they just turf out the trouble makers?

Helgadaley · 07/09/2022 08:17

KentuckyDerbyandJoan · 07/09/2022 08:08

Describing students as ‘despicable’ (deserving hatred and contempt) is grim, yes walk out for their sakes.

What a horrible post! The OP is doing her best in very difficult circumstances.
I may be wrong, but I think she is teaching in a religious school; one in which males think they are superior to females.
Just leave, OP. You don't need this in your life. I wouldn't worry about letting anyone down - if the school can't ensure the decent behaviour of the pupils, they don't deserve you.