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The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Original poster

How many teachers are you losing this year?

106 replies

TrulyTurtles · 13/05/2015 18:47

Is it worse this year than other years? Our school has lost someone from all but three departments this year, two (potentially three)from one core subject, one from another, and three from other subjects. One is just jumping ship, one is taking a significant step down, another is going back into research. The list of applicants isn't huge, so we are all very worried. Ours is a school of about 700, so is that proportionate?

OP posts:
Redlocks28 · 17/05/2015 21:04

Stupid marking in so many colours. I honestly think it is such a waste of time! When it takes you as long to write a comment as it did for them to do the work-and THEN they've got to write a response comment!! I'm their teacher, not their bleddy pen pal!

Far better to speak to the child if they've misunderstood, and give them some ticks and a sticker if they've done well...

We now have to write down everything we say to the child in a speech bubble as well!!

ravenAK · 17/05/2015 21:26

I'm off to Cairo fortunately.

STBXH is less than thrilled about it...but it's been a long held ambition which I'd resigned myself to never realising as he wouldn't consider emigrating, so bollocks to him Wink. Thanks for good wishes MrsUltra - it wasn't what I'd planned, but kids & I are v excited about it now!

Original poster
TrulyTurtles · 17/05/2015 22:19

Physics supply-the holy Grail of supply teachers. I have only ever had to call round once-my supply people almost laughed hysterically at me, one used to pretend he was out of the office.

OP posts:
MrsUltracrepidarian · 18/05/2015 17:43

What is puzzling me is that the teachers who are leaving (ie those who are going to other jobs) are going to other schools with vacancies, so unless they are arising through school increasing in size, or more pupils opting for that subjects GCSE/AS/A, or retirements, or relocations which accounts for what %of the vacancies, then surely they are recruiting because their teachers are unhappy...? So seems like a bit of a carousel?

Original poster
TrulyTurtles · 18/05/2015 17:49

It is, and has been for a long time, but it does seem that many are just leaving, doing supply or getting out of teaching altogether. The pressure of marking, planning and getting data just so are so heavy.

OP posts:
EnormousDormouse · 18/05/2015 17:53

Me! I'm off to hotter and less OFSTED -obsessed shores. At school, if they aren't leaving already, they're looking. Just got out in time I think.

bigTillyMint · 18/05/2015 17:57

None, we are increasing by two more teachers!

Specialist provision - it's a growth area!

happyteacher1 · 18/05/2015 19:47

I was secondary originally, and now do primary supply. I honestly don't mind the marking in primary and have no intention of ever going back to secondary teaching. :)

holmessweetholmes · 19/05/2015 10:35

What was it like changing from secondary to primary, happyteacher? I taught secondary for nearly 20 years and have utterly had enough of it! I've wondered about switching to primary (and wondered about supply).

happyteacher1 · 19/05/2015 17:22

Hi holmessweetholmes. I switched about 6 or 7 years ago by doing primary supply through agencies, after about 15 years of secondary teaching. It is hard at first having to learn the primary NC, but now I can write primary LPs easily. I love primary, and have covered everything from Reception to Year 6, plus long term cover for schools who are not able to recruit teachers. I would recommend it!

Shinyandnew1 · 19/05/2015 17:36

Interestingly all the secondary teachers I know are much happier than the primary one!

What do you secondary trained people think of the differences if you've experienced the two?

MrsUltracrepidarian · 19/05/2015 17:57

I would love primary without the marking, which seems to me to be excessive, and the over-the-top planning and assessment.
I did a (supply) day in reception which I thought was going to be lovely lots of encouraging play, stories, games etc, but was a frenzy of me and the TA gathering '[evidence' of the DC meeting their objectives. No time to stop and wander off at a tangent.
There seems to be an atmosphere of fear and tension in primary schools, and of course the parents are more in evidence whereas although secondary has the obvious behaviour challenges, and the teachers are busy, there is at least time to go to the loo and have a cup of tea at some point in the day - sometimes never got this in primary.

happyteacher1 · 19/05/2015 19:15

Sorry, MrsUltra, I have never seen an atmosphere of fear or tension in primary schools, and I can remember in secondary schools being so busy at break time that I didn't have time to go to the loo.....plus only time to grab a quick sandwich at lunchtimes, as lunchtimes were shorter in secondary schools due to an attempt to keep the little darlings out of trouble. I always get a full hour lunchtime in primary schools, plus a morning break, and afternoon break in KS1.

Shinyandnew1 · 19/05/2015 19:35

Definitely agree-there's an atmosphere of fear and tension in the primary schools I've taught in!

MrsUltracrepidarian · 19/05/2015 19:36

Your Mileage May Vary Grin

HagOtheNorth · 19/05/2015 19:49

Happy, no marking, no preparation for the next lesson?
I enjoy being primary supply because I'm not part of the politics and tension, but I still take 15 mins for lunch.

holmessweetholmes · 19/05/2015 20:38

Hmm. I think maybe what I've had enough of is teaching in schools at all tbh. I hear the words 'data' and 'collecting evidence' and it totally puts me off. Private schools appeal to me more, but there are very few near me. Atm I am doing private tutoring and am starting teaching some adult classes in September. I think I'll stick to that!

SuffolkNWhat · 19/05/2015 22:03

This year we are currently up to 4 teachers leaving. Next year it'll be the whole school leaving (school is being closed)

maskingtherealme · 20/05/2015 08:43

Holmesweetholmes - my friend/colleague left her part time, permanent position as Y1 teacher to go to a private school teaching full time maternity cover. It was a risk but she hated the school (HT trying to get rid of staff at the school who were there prior to his appointment) and she went from 'good' to 'RI and inadequate'. She was made permanent and loves it! She says it is hard work but she is valued and respected whereas at our school she (we!) are not.
Another teacher is leaving her full time permanent position in YR to go to a maternity cover. She told the HT it is because it is nearer home (lie). The teacher, like all staff, hate the HT andrealised the grass is greener on the other side!
Everyone who has left says they are in far better schools with SLT who care and are supportive and don't find stupid faults to build up a portfolio of crap lessons to make it easier for them to get rid of perfectly good staff. Unfortunately for my HT, staff going are UPS which the HT hates and he is recruiting NQTS and those in 2nd year because they are cheap, easily moulded and won't go up the ladder because the targets he has set are ridiculously unachievable. The unions are permanently camped in our school with ongoing issues - many different issues and involving many staff! Parents love the school but hate the HT as has zero people skills and is in it for himself NOT FOR THE KIDS.

CamelHump · 20/05/2015 10:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

holmessweetholmes · 20/05/2015 10:34

Ugh - that HT sounds terrible! I worked in a private school for nearly 10 years. It was wonderful. So different from working in any state school I've been in. Shame there basically aren't any near where I live now!

woodlands01 · 21/05/2015 22:22

11 out of about 35. Secondary - all core subjects advertising, no-one applying.

leftyloosy · 23/05/2015 11:16

Why would you want a supply teacher to mark work? Most secondary teachers don't leave 'real' work for supply lessons. It's usually vaguely relevant to the topic, but often gets binned when they return.

leftyloosy · 23/05/2015 11:17

Oops. Forgot to say I've quit too. 11 years as a secondary teacher. I'll do supply for a bit and then decide whether to try another school or something different altogether.

FrizzyPig · 23/05/2015 11:48

We have 6 leaving out of 20. We've filled 4 places but have not managed to find any for the other 2.

The 6 doesn't include the HT who has just announced their resignation.

We are all petrified that the Deputy will take over at least as Acting Head.

If I didn't have a family to support I honestly think I'd email my head right now and resign.