How to get through the next month

[reallyfedup123]

Posting on AIBU as I know how direct it can be! I’m in a bit of a situation right now and need advice on how to get through it. Please excuse my grammar etc. I’m typing on phone and it’s difficult to use properly.

I work as a temporary teacher and there was an incident where a secondary aged student shoved me into a table. I was hurt but nothing major. School did nothing. Saw student again and everyone was applauding him for his behaviour towards me and a group of boys were planning infront of me in the class class for them all to get together and do it again. I felt very threatened but again no one came when I asked for help. I remained calm and professional and gave them warnings to stop their behaviour.

issue now is I’ve only got a month or so left and I don’t want to cause a big drama but in my mind I am very angry that everything is being ignored and I’m putting up with this threatening behaviour. I took statements off some kids but school told me off as this is not how things are done. If I had waited for them to get statements that would never have happened. I’m still shocked on both occasions when I called for help no one came. No one even checked up on me to see if I was okay after the initial incident.

So please help me understand how I should get through the next month with my head held up high and not feel like the drama queen they are making me out to be. Just for context I’ve been teaching for 16+ years and have never experienced this. I’m a conscientious and hard working mother of 2 kids and I thought supply would make my work-life easier but honestly I feel like just quitting but I gave my word I’d work till Xmas so need to just plough along.

Are you a trade union member? This is exactly what they're for, so if you're a member, contact them for advice and support.

Do you work for an agency and do you get sick pay? If so perhaps talk to the GP about getting signed off sick with stress.

@AnotherEmma thank you. Yes I’m part of a union but I’m thinking for the sake of 4 weeks should I really get them involved? No I won’t get sick pay. I only get paid for the days I come in.

Yes of course you should contact them! Why else do you pay union fees?!

Definitely report it to your union, that's why you pay your fees.

I'd also be suggesting to the school that you are going to report it to the police in light of their inaction (especially as the students are planning on doing it again). That might focus their minds a bit.

I would, 4 weeks is a long time to feel
unsafe at work and that’s the whole point of being part of a union. You’re not being a drama queen, you were assaulted at work.

If I’d been shoved into a table on PURPOSE, then it’s physical assault and I’d have expected the school to have investigated this. If not, you should have called your Union. It seems like you’re worried you won’t be paid now if kick up a fuss. You need to call your agency and tell them and also your union. It’s not acceptable.

Thank you all. There is so much more that happened but I’m worried someone will recognise it’s me. I’ve been in tears reading the kids statements as there are things written down I didn’t even know e.g. they made disgusting comments about my primary aged daughter. No idea how they know I have a daughter maybe when I started I might have mentioned to my classes I have 2 kids. The statement doesn’t mention what was said.

As a minimum you should ask the school for a copy of their policies on health and safety, behaviour, etc and ask them to do a risk assessment. Ask for reasons in writing that they have not investigated or taken disciplinary action against the students. You need everything in writing; follow up verbal conversations with emails outlining what was said.

Straight to the union. Do you want schools to be producing this type of person? Boys who carry out planned violence on teachers grow up into men who shove their wives into tables and hit them when they try to get back up. You want the school to stamp this out, not just for your sake. Union all the way! The school is failing you, and Failing society.

Is this not a police matter?

Could you get other supply work easily? Honestly, I wouldn't carry on until Christmas if you don't have to. It doesn't matter that you gave your word, when they clearly don't care about your safety or well-being.

I could get another supply role but I told them I’d stay till Xmas and I feel bad for the gcse classes. I don’t want to rush not getting a reference either as I do need a permanent job in the new year.

You seriously need to leave, you have had your safety compromised by school management. I was doing cover work once and I was called dreadful and insulting names and I walked out of that particular school and never went back. The receptionist told me I couldn't leave and I just said, 'watch me'. I was also cornered by three 16yr old boys and threatened in a very sexual way.
Do not tolerate that abuse, no wonder schools can't retain teachers! Keep trying different schools, I am now in a great school with an excellent behaviour support team and no longer feel anxious going to work everyday.

You need to speak to your union.

And if you can get another supply role, jump ship. The school don't care about your safety and you need to show them it won't be tolerated by leaving and complaining.

I am so sorry OP, this is horrific and absolutely not what you should be putting up with.

There must be a process that they follow for the safety of the staff and students.
If I were one of your students parents, I would be absolutely aghast that this had happened to you, and would be creating merry hell on your behalf, as honestly if they can't keep their staff safe, they're not going to have a great lot of interest in ensuring the safety of the students from these thuggish boys who have not only assaulted you, but are actively trying to intimidate you.

On this occasion, I'd say if you can spend a bit of time to create a document for the children of gcse year who want to learn, so they know what they need to do in the run up to Christmas, then I'd leave the school behind.

Also, contact whoever placed you there, they need to know they're putting teaching staff into dangerous situations.

Thank you everyone. I didn’t go in today, I’ve spent most part of the day phoning agencies and looking at jobs online.

Speak to your union and the agency too. Explain what has happened and you are uncomfortable. School's are absolutely crying out for staff and I can guarantee you will get a new placement within hours. As for reference, that can come from the agency and if you are earning them money they will give you a reference.

As for giving your word to the school, they have not sorted it, you owe them nothing. If they valued you they would have sorted it. If you leave there will be a new supply teacher tomorrow or someone in the school will cover.

I'd ring the Head Teacher and tell them in light of their inaction when I was assaulted by students you are leaving with immediate effect.

Oh phone your union immediately!!!!!! Why haven't you done that already?!

you have done well working in secondary for 16 years and never having this happen. happened to me in my first month of teaching when i was 22

Thank you everyone I’ve just spent the entire day just numb and shocked. I also feel
slightly embarrassed because I was crying that day (out of sight of the children, in the department office)

Go to your union. You need to make a change for the future too, not just yourself.

Exactly what i was going to say

God these kids sound hideous. Pushing a teacher and saying all that horrible stuff and planning to assault you again? I'm so glad you didn't go back in.

I’m going back tomorrow and I really don’t want to talk to any of the staff if I’m honest. The leaders have done nothing and asking if I’m okay isn’t enough. There has been zero consequences for the original incident and the one a week later. Am AIBU just to stay in my room and have no interaction with the staff at all and just keep my head down and do my job.