Anyone work in education (primary)

[millmoo]

anyone else completely worn out and we’ve only been back 3 weeks?
I’ve been in education for 9 years now and somehow this year feels different, I can’t put it into words.
I’m absolutely exhausted and thinking that I can’t continue to do this.
budget’s and staffing have been cut so much, feels like I’ve not only got my own job to do but it feels like I’ve been given parts of other people’s jobs to do as we just have no staff!!
to me the budget cuts and level of staffing feels unsafe.
anyone else feel this year is different to all the others?

Yes! What is going on? Everyone at school has commented on how exhausted they are this past week. I’m asleep by 9.30 most nights. That’s not usual only 3 weeks in. Friends in other schools have said the same, so it’s not just my place. I wondered if it’s the weather being so winter-like so early, instead of a gentle wind down into a warm colourful autumn (NW so just very wet and grey).

I was just going to say the weather! I’m retired now but often it would rain on and off during the Summer holidays then there’d be glorious sunshine at the start of term.
Lots of children in heavy Winter shoes and coats hot in the sun! Nice weather was great for settling in Early Years new starters.
Booked a UK holiday based on this prediction and it was grim this year!
Hope you start to feel better soon. Has anything else changed? Difficult class or staff changes?
There’s a big focus on staff well being in our school ( Governor) could you share your feelings if things are still tricky after half term?
In the mean time look after yourself and maybe try some supplements? I know it’s really tough and expectations and pressure are high!

I did say it felt like we steeped straight into Winter !! Lots of wet play already when usually we are enjoying our Indian summer.

I think for me it’s the staffing… we have so few support staff now and support staff are covering lots of different roles.
we do not have any lunch time assistants so support staff have to cover that too.
I am pastoral lead so had my fair share of tricky days but this feels different.
like I said in my original post it just doesn’t feel safe!!
I’ve raised it with my Headteacher and my senco and they are sympathetic but what really can they do? If there’s no money there’s no money?

I could have written this. The pressure on us remaining support staff is too much and due to get worse when more contracts end in Feb. Oh, and the trust have suggested reducing my (already low) wage to make things 'fair'!

It feels like a sinking ship and I'm starting to think seriously about getting out.

I’m glad I’m not the only one feeling it!!
I am definitely thinking about my next move but what always keeps me there is the students but we have to put our own mental health 1st. I can’t carry on coming home every night mental and physically exhausted.
Thursday I did 15k steps 😳😳

So tired! But I put it down to going back to work after mat leave. I’m at a new school and behaviour is awful. Thursday I spent the entire afternoon just trying to get the class quiet and settled. We did no learning, it was horrible and I hated it.

edited to add: I’ve raised the behaviour with SLT but it’s not the worst in the school and they just tell me I haven’t got enough in place for the various children in the class. I.e. it’s all my fault and I must work harder.

Gosh another level I’ve not come across a Primary with no SMSAs! No wonder everyone is wiped out.
They are going to struggle to retain staff.

Do you work in my school 🤣🤣

laughing aside our poor teachers are told the same- do this do that. A different teacher cried every day last week.
the whole system is broken!
I said to my non education friends last week that I feel sorry for anyone who has school age children at the moment because so much is going unmet and almost little or no learning taking place as the teaches just can not teach!!