school is placing me on a mentoring/couching programme as they think I cannot manage behaviour in my class- is this a informal support plan?

[Sev124]

Can i go on a stress leave in probation period and how long?

We had a ks1 review day - my background is eyfs but here i am working in a year1/2 mixed class. They first told me they want me to take over maths planning clearly pointing out that the other teacher is struggling and plans all over places, then they said about my presence in class saying my TA seems to have more authority. Then their telling me they think it will be good for me to get mentored by a off the timetable teacher they have - 6 weeks - this will undermine me in front of everyone

can i go on a stress leave in probation period and how long?

Is what they're saying true about behaviour management? Do you think you need support in this? This won't go away if you go off sick, actually if you go off with stress they'll think you need more support.

Lots of people (including me) write posts on their phone- I know I post with grammatical errors and spelling mistakes sometimes. Focusing on that and not OP's actual question, with having no idea what they document/ write in real life is a bit arseholey........

I have been doing planning for history pshe re and science - and now they making us swap as they not happy with the current maths planning. They would like me to spend time after school to go through how to plan maths with a deputy head.

So they want you offer you completely normal things to get you to do the job?

Yeah sure, go off sick. That will definitely reassure them you can handle things.

Thank you. My confidence is not the best but it is nothing like it used to be when I had first started. My presence is much better and I speak with a more confident voice. I will take your advice but I have a very difficult class, some of the children are put into additional social skills lessons. If I accept the mentoring and stay on my idea is that, these children, the same children will not change in 6 weeks. The last thing I want in my career line is to be placed on an actual support plan. The workload is already too much for me. Even appraisal meetings are scheduled during our lunch times and after school. They would like me to plan maths and I said I would try of-course but then they would like me to sit with deputy head after school, in my personal time. Marking, we teach least 3/4 subjects a day and that is 30 x 4 books to mark daily. They want every single work to be marked. I just don’t think this school or the job is for me. I was planning to leave in April. But noticed I can leave with months notice. I think I want to move away from teaching for a while.

Schools are stretched to their limits and it is definitely a plus that they are prepared to find the time and funds to support you in a role that you recognize as being difficult for you. Try to look at it as CPD rather than feeling it is a step down an that colleagues will regard you less favourably.

There is no shame in acknowledging that you are finding it a struggle.

Grab what is on offer! - and lots of luck with getting this sorted.

I was going to suggest that teaching is perhaps not the job for you. I’m not sure how you can leave with one month’s notice, if you are a teacher with QTS. Do you have that?

I don’t know of any teacher who doesn’t have children with challenges and additional needs in their class. I don’t know of any teacher who wouldn’t expect to work after the children have gone home. When do you imagine appraisal meetings can be scheduled, if not after school?

The school deserves better and the children certainly do.

Sorry op, but if a member of my team went off long term sick in probation, due to workplace stress I would dismiss them on grounds of attendance, for of our our benefits.

My brother in law is a primary teacher and sees his working hours as 30 minutes before dc arrive and then finishing at 5pm (like most full time jobs) so meetings after school but before 5pm are normal. That 3-5 period is marking and planning time.

You say you have a difficult class, school is offering help and you’re taking it as a criticism.

Surely lesson planning and classroom control are essential in teaching, and senior team oversight expected. I’m really confused what you’re upset about other than wondering if you’ve not understood the job requirements.

All of the things they’re asking of you are fully within the remit of a classroom teacher, and they’re trying to support you with that. Although we have directed hours you are also expected to do however many hours it takes to fulfil your professional duties on top of that. Being moved to teach different ages groups and coordinating different subjects is also what I would expect in a good school.

OP, nothing you have described with regards to the marking, planning, meetings, expectations of differentiation or string behaviour management is unusual. This is life as a primary teacher. You do not seem to have been prepared properly through your teacher training.

If I were you, I would accept the offer of support and try to improve where you need to. If you really think that all of these perfectly normal expectations of your professional role are not for you, then maybe look for a TA or nursery nurse role. And, as an aside, I really hope that your grammar etc is not like this in real life!

Running away from the problem will only make it even worse when you eventually come back.

This. You won't cope as a teacher if you don't take all the support offered. You need to be firm but fair with your class. If you are too lassez faire the kids will run rings around you. If the TA is better at class management than you are this is not good, look at how they do it and follow suit. You need to improve your spelling/grammar if you are to teach children too.

So sorry for what your going through. Teaching is bloody tough!!! To me, it sounds like the step before a formal support plan. If it were me I would likely look for another job.

I’m a GP. You can only go off on “stress leave” at any time if you are too unwell to work due to stress related symptoms. Deciding whether or not to go on sick leave should be about whether or not you’re well enough to do your job, not whether or not you like the support plan that’s being offered to you. If you feel unwell I suggest making an appointment with your GP so they can assess things further and discuss treatment with you. Good luck.

Can I also add, you going off sick will put more stress and pressure on the rest of your year team. They'll have to pick up the planning you won't be doing whilst you're off. Don't be that person.

You have been offered support and coaching yet you want to run away and bury your head in the sand.
Meant kindly, maybe you should look into a different career.

It is very common in teaching for meetings to be after school, that is not your own time just time outside the classroom.

Try some live marking during lessons.

you are lucky not to be planning every single lesson which is what you would have with a one or half form entry.

i would definitely accept the coaching and try to see if you can get better, you may then find you’re enjoying it more.

Marking, we teach least 3/4 subjects a day and that is 30 x 4 books to mark daily. They want every single work to be marked.
Can you speak to your Phase leader about this? It's no longer considered good or necessary practice to do every book every day. There needs to be a balance, and teacher well-being taken into account, and such young children are not really going to benefit from this. Can you do more live marking and self-assessing? I use VF - verbal feedback, just to note in the child's book that they have had feedback. Nothing is going to change overnight but if you can get colleagues behind you, maybe things can change going forward.

This could be considered a benefit to you rather than a problem. Gaining experience, contributing to subject planning with help from senior staff so you achieve it to a high level.

Sorry I’m referring to the bit about being asked to do the maths planning together with the deputy head.

I agree

Why are you stressed that they're supporting you?

I had this 'coaching' thing about ten years ago that was just another word for support plan. It was described as coaching but it involved lots of extra meetings, getting lesson plans checked, observing other teachers in my frees, after school training, threatened with a bad reference if I didn't do it etc. it wasn't supportive at all and I learnt little from it other than a lot of stress! And because I was a young new teacher I just accepted it. I later found out they have to put a certain amount of teachers on a support plan every year to tick a box for Ofsted basically. Not sure how true that is any more though.
Yes speak to your union as they will give you advice about what's reasonable in terms of extra demands if you are put on a support plan. What the school can and can't ask you to do etc. I would try that before signing off with stress. That's a last resort.

I think I want to move away from teaching for a while

I think it would be for the best.

Its a public forum not a classroom.
Alternatively you could always go to pedants corner before posting dross.