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.

This is appalling, OP, I can't believe the school are doing nothing. I'm so sorry this has happened to you.

I'd be going through all their policies and procedures regarding risk, assault etc with a fine toothed comb. The school has a duty of care to staff as well as to pupils, ffs.

This, definitely

Please contact your union! Does the School have a rep for your one? Speak to them if you can, as soon as possible.

It's assault and is surely also a police matter - why was the police not called?
What action did the school actually take

Yes call your union asap but surely it does need reporting ?!

I could not work in an environment where I'd been physically harmed. Definitely contact your trade union.

What? I would be reporting this to the police and your union. Four weeks left and you are still putting your careless employers first. Don't. You could have been seriously hurt.

You don't have to give a damn about the school. Concentrate on finding something new. This school you work at won't get any better in the next four weeks. It's a dead loss

Little shit, you don't go to work for that to happen, I'd leave, you sound a decent person and deserve a decent work place.

I’m planning to go in tomorrow. I’ve got a lot of marking to get done and I actually have some of my favourite classes tomorrow. I’m just feeling so down. I didn’t want to reveal too much about myself on here but it’s brought back a lot of traumatic memories from my past. Im definitely not going to stay past Xmas. There have been conversations previously that they need me and the poor kids etc. etc.

You poor thing.

Definitely don't stay beyond Christmas. Ignore their passive aggressive comments about the kids missing out. It's the SLTs fault you're unhappy and are leaving, in fact their behaviour towards you is appalling. I wouldn't blame you atvall for not going back next week to be honest!

Definitely definitely definitely get your union involved. You might have a case to take things further on the basis they’re made it impossible for you to remain in their employment.

Oh and I also agree about telling your union.

The school are failing to safeguard you.

Of course you report it and kick up a fuss.

In the nicest way possible, the students you care about will not care about you once you have moved on; they will care about their next teacher.

Good supply teachers are like hens' teeth, so if your contract allows you to leave then go and don't look back. Your health isn't worth it.

This.

It’s awful these misogynistic thugs are doing this to you. But the school also should be addressing this firmly so these children, and they are children, get a clear message that society does not tolerate this woman-hating shit. If it’s treated limply it’s giving them a green light that It’s ok to treat women like this.

This is quite odd. You've been assaulted at work and have got wind that another attack is being planned... and instead of contacting the police and the union, you're worrying about crying and gcse classes. Find your anger!

Also would this be a faith school that you have posted about before? I'd walk out and grass the whole shitshow up to Ofsted.

No not a faith school. Could you link the other story so I can read what it’s about. I’ve posted in staffroom about it. But more people responded here.

I'd be reporting this to the police to be honest. I'm a nurse and I report assaults to the police, unless it's someone who has dementia, going through a psychotic episode and doesn't know what they're doing etc. These vile teenagers who assaulted you need to face the consequences for their actions.

Firstly screen shot all the statements and sent them to your private email.

second of all contact the agency and gp and log the assault with them - thirdly get signed off with stress due to the assault.

then letter detailing what happened to headteacher and chair of governors with statements

This is absolutely disgusting!

I would not be going back (or giving them until the end of the week) and then do other cover instead.

Is there lots of cover work available in your area?

Contact the union. Then go to the head and say you were assaulted, which you were and as the school have done nothing you will be reporting it to the police. I would also tell them you will be speaking to your agency ( assume that’s how you get your work) and advise them not to send staff to this school as they allow assaults

unless you desperately need the money I wouldn't be going back. Any impact on your pupils is the school's fault for not supporting you, and their problem to deal with.
It is ridiculous how people in certain jobs (like teaching/nursing) are expected to put up with completely inappropriate behaviour. The reaction in any of my (office type) jobs if one colleague physically assaulted another or made threats about their young child would have been immediate and serious - immediate suspension and disciplinary/being fired, possible legal action etc. Not to mention everyone else would be completely appalled, not brushing it off and ignoring you!

The school must have a referral process for behaviour and incidents? As well as a near miss/incident reporting system. Senior management or a dept head should at minimum be supporting you.

This is appalling and is a good insight into the arrogance of some of today's young people, and how they are seen as the victims of everything by bleeding heart apologists. Look at the thread of the killing of 82 yo Dennis Clarke in Derby after being assaulted by a group of teens.
'Oh they must of had a reason, they pled self defense, he must have said/done something'
2 years the killer got because all the sympathy was for him. (And massively off tangent there, Apologies!)
Definitely union and complain to your agency.