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Original poster

Safe space for school staff to talk about how they are feeling for next term…

287 replies

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 31/12/2021 07:34

I’m quite anxious about going back, although luckily managed to get the booster jab before Christmas. Lots of our families live hand to mouth so won’t regular test and can’t miss a week of work, which I do understand.

I’m also worried about exam classes having to sit exams as if nothing has happened.

I’m worried about lack of staff, week before Christmas hols our whole learning support team were off, with no cover.

I’m worried about getting ill and the hospitals are full.

I worry about having to send my kids into nursery where there’s a huge outbreak, but don’t have the option to keep them home.

I worry about bad behaviour as the SLT aren’t ‘policing’ the corridors at lesson change around sl behaviour is going to pot.

I also worry about school closures and kids mental health.

OP posts:
BornInTheWrongCentury · 31/12/2021 16:27

Tbh I’m dreading going back next week. I don’t feel safe working in a primary school at all any more. I had covid in late September after being double jabbed (several of us caught it at the same time in my school) I went back after my 10 days isolation even though I wasn’t really feeling well enough due to so many of us being off. I found last term absolutely exhausting. Parents really didn’t help by sending in children who were unwell, meaning staff were catching every cold and stomach upset going and we were just having to carry on the best we could. We were freezing cold all the time trying to keep classrooms ventilated as the monitors were on amber all the time. Everyone feels very run down and some are at breaking point.
I haven’t got my mojo back after covid and feel tired, edgy and anxious most of the time. I don’t feel rested and ready to go back even after having a break. I hate this bloody government. I feel teaching staff have been completely abandoned by them. Sorry for the long moan! 😣

Musmerian · 31/12/2021 16:28

@HelloDulling

I think working in a school has made me a bit blasé about it. I have suggested to a few friends we meet up this holiday and many of them have said they want to avoid covid. I think for me, sitting in a coffee shop with three other people is just nothing since every day I’ve been in a classroom with thirty!

I definitely feel the same. Have been to the theatre/cinema/on public transport etc as it suits me. I really don’t want to catch it, but I can’t avoid school, so I’m not about to avoid doing the things I enjoy.

Me too. I had COVID last term so nearly two weeks off which has put me on the back foot with marking backlog ( which I’m currently ignoring!) Have now had booster so hoping for the best. It would really help if exam boards/ Govt were clearer and didn’t keep us waiting til the end of Jan for clarification. Our school has had online learning throughout but I think summer exams would be unfair as there’s been so much disruption nationwide.
ChloeDecker · 31/12/2021 16:31

Welcome to teaching CrepuscularCritter thank you so much for training.

doorornottodoor · 31/12/2021 16:34

A bit resigned to catching it but fine with it as triple jabbed. Somehow I’ve dodged it so far. Absolutely determined that schools must stay open. The fallout from closure has been awful for the kids I teach and for my own.

Bit worried about impact on exams etc.. but we’ve been regularly testing our exam classes and we’ve been pretty unaffected by Covid so far.

Musmerian · 31/12/2021 16:35

@Sherrystrull

If sats were cancelled and ofsted paused I honestly think the majority of my stress would evaporate.
It’s beyond belief, given the current situation, that that hasn’t happened.
Mickarooni · 31/12/2021 16:36

I am just popping my head in to say I appreciate the teachers and recognise there are many who go above and beyond. You are recognised, thank you. Flowers

ChloeDecker · 31/12/2021 16:37

Thank you LostForIdeas and good luck to your children too Star

doorornottodoor · 31/12/2021 16:37

Also here in Scotland we’ve been masked up all the way through. Hard teaching in a mask but you get used to it.

doorornottodoor · 31/12/2021 16:42

One thing I don’t really get is the complaining about being cold. I’m in Scotland and I just wear thermals and a snood around my neck to keep the drafts out. The pupils can wrap up. It’s a non issue for me and I really feel the cold. Can someone explain? I feel I’m missing something!

MamanSparkles · 31/12/2021 16:43

I'm CEV and my booster was 3 months ago now so I'm resigned to catching it. I just hope there is a hospital bed available for me.
My whole career I have worked whilst sick, gone back before I should have done after the round of school bugs. I'm out of goodwill now. SLT, the government and the parents treat us expendable. Most of the kids are wonderful which is why I have stayed this long.

doorornottodoor · 31/12/2021 16:46

@MamanSparkles that’s hard. The odds are very much in your favour though Flowers

hunder · 31/12/2021 16:46

It makes me furious that the DFE make decisions with so little thought and Ofsted have done nothing to help

Ofsted did call off inspections in the last week of term. I'm sure this was for our benefit and nothing to do with the fact that school cases were sky high and they didn't want Covid ruining their festivities!

Howshouldibehave · 31/12/2021 16:47

The pupils can wrap up

At my DC’s school, that isn’t being suggested-it’s thin blouses, blazers, tights and little black school shoes as per normal-no jumpers allowed.

If they were in jeans, layers, hoodies and boots/trainers, they might stand a chance of staying warm!

doorornottodoor · 31/12/2021 16:48

@Howshouldibehave I would query that with the school. Common sense. I teach at an independent school with strict uniform and we use common sense! No one learns if they’re freezing!

ChloeDecker · 31/12/2021 16:51

@doorornottodoor

One thing I don’t really get is the complaining about being cold. I’m in Scotland and I just wear thermals and a snood around my neck to keep the drafts out. The pupils can wrap up. It’s a non issue for me and I really feel the cold. Can someone explain? I feel I’m missing something!
I can’t speak for everyone but for me, I teach in computer rooms and because servers are also there, there is no heating at all physically on those classrooms in what is already, old ‘traditional’ buildings that have no double glazing and leak a little on bad rain. I have adjusted my clothing, as have pupils bless them, although we do still can’t wear exactly what we would like such as tracksuits, but it’s still a bit miserable. I am happy to have it for ventilation what I can (although CO2 is still too high) but would prefer not.
BeingATwatItsABingThing · 31/12/2021 16:52

@Howshouldibehave

The pupils can wrap up

At my DC’s school, that isn’t being suggested-it’s thin blouses, blazers, tights and little black school shoes as per normal-no jumpers allowed.

If they were in jeans, layers, hoodies and boots/trainers, they might stand a chance of staying warm!

That’s ridiculous! I told my children sitting closest to the window to go and put on their coats if they wanted to. We regularly remind parents to send their child in with layers on under their uniform.
Rockbird · 31/12/2021 16:58

Support staff here, was CV and bolstered in November. I'm amazed I haven't caught it already to my knowledge. DD1's primary was riddled with it, so was my school before Christmas and none of us caught it. It's just a matter of time as far as I'm concerned. Just hope it's mild enough and I'm protected enough not to come to great harm.

Rockbird · 31/12/2021 16:59

*boostered FFS!

candlelightsatdawn · 31/12/2021 17:11

I know this may not be technically allowed but I just have to say reading these comments I'm so so sorry to all the teachers that have been let down by this government. I know it probably doesn't seem like it esp on MN but there are some of us who truly see and appreciate the work you do but also the risks you have been taking the last 2 years to educate the kids in your care with 0 support 💐

I also don't see how they don't realise a mass exodus is going to be happening from the profession and tbh going by this thread I wouldn't blame a single one of you !

Icequeen01 · 31/12/2021 17:16

Well as13 out of 15 staff in my tiny school all tested positive the last week of term I'm not so worried now but this is the second time we have all had it and I'm not convinced it will be our last! I have daily contact with my 82 year old mother and the stress of me possibly giving it to her is making me think it's time to look for another job so I am less of a risk to her.

CrepuscularCritter · 31/12/2021 17:34

Thank you @OnceuponaRainbow18 and @ChloeDecker. I'm going to give it my best. Have found my base layers in readiness for the open windows (and prepared to strip down in the loos if there's no ventilation at all!).

chocolateisavegetable · 31/12/2021 17:36

candle and the other supportive non-education posters ... thank you so much. I'm afraid that I am one of the ones that gave up before Christmas, but it still means a lot to see your comments.

ChloeDecker · 31/12/2021 17:37

@CrepuscularCritter

Thank you *@OnceuponaRainbow18 and @ChloeDecker*. I'm going to give it my best. Have found my base layers in readiness for the open windows (and prepared to strip down in the loos if there's no ventilation at all!).
I’ve found lots of chunky knits from M and S in the past year that’s for sure! Grin
CrepuscularCritter · 31/12/2021 17:37

[quote OnceuponaRainbow18]@CrepuscularCritter

Welcome to the amazing world of teaching, where you can truly make differences to lives. Each day the kids will make you laugh and smile, and question your own beliefs. You’ll look forward to the holidays and then you’ll miss some of the kids during them, I’ve got one student who emails me most days during the holidays for a check in! You’ll meet some of the most wonderful people who you’ll stay friends with forever! Enjoy[/quote]
I will remember all this in the tough moments ahead. And I will remember to enjoy too. Smile

blameitonthecaffeine · 31/12/2021 18:00

Having to put together communications about student deaths is horrific

Student deaths?! Plural?! Shock How horrendous, I'm so sorry. I can't imagine how terrible that must be.

I am terrible with cold. I teach a lot of dance so I do get to be quite active but when I'm not, I need warmth. I have a lot of autonomy over how I keep my 'classroom' (it's a studio/room off the main school theatre but to all intents and purposes it's my classroom) so I don't keep it cold. I have the back doors open all the time but I also whack the heating up! Not the most environmentally friendly, I know, but I am the most miserable, hyper emotional person on the planet if I'm cold. I'm genuinely pathetic about it.