Newish teacher at desperate crossroads

[WinnieTheWilt]

I've been very kindly allowed a couple of extra days to give my notice in, if it comes to that, but have no job to go to.
Been in post 3 years through on-off job share (disaster)/mat cover and TA who's worked there nearly 30 years, is resistant to change, awful with the dc, and loathes me. I've tried it all and at wits' end. I've got results up and am v keen to move forward, but sabotaged by awful staffing which will not change. Don't know if it's best to plod on or get the hell out in the hope of picking up enough work/supply whatever to pay rent. Went to work this morning feeling positive but back to usual despair by break. Feel loathe to give up on things, scared of future with no job secured, and doubtful of own abilities. Will it look bad if I leave with nothing in place? really don't know what to do.

[Welliesandpyjamas]

Calzone is right. Shameful that neither the HT nor the CoG are concerned enough about this. Their loss.

Actually, it is a KS1 job. I have PMd you and am praying you are near here

[calzone]

Winnie.....can y say where you are and I will find you a job.

[WinnieTheWilt]

You are all so smashing! thanks for the pms. Calzone although I really needed opinions to save my sanity I'm worried about outing myself by giving location. I'm reassured that people can see where I'm coming from and think that my career's salvageable!

[WinnieTheWilt]

Just for the benefits of the thread, Wellies had the dream job, but too far away!

[Welliesandpyjamas]

Any other takers?!

Good luck winnie, you'll be a blessing to the school that gets you next.

[FabulousFudge]

I would write to the governors and then if that fails I'd definitely leave and do supply. Enough is enough!

[WinnieTheWilt]

I've drafted resig letter. All the usual advice says keep it to dates only and don't go into stuff but I've very politely set out the fact I really want to up standards for them and am frustrated by lack of team work. I've copied to Govs. Does that sound OK? Otherwise you are a victim of 'the script' and a few times HT has mentioned 'tired' 'health' which seems to be the way these things go ....

[meandjulio]

I wouldn't put anything but the barest minimum in a resignation letter, I really wouldn't. I once did and regretted it SO much. Request an exit interview with the HT and Governors maybe? But don't put it in writing.

[WinnieTheWilt]

meand, why did you regret it? I've been as positive as possible, and polite ...I don't see how that could be an issue, but it's the first time I've resigned in teaching, and I do accept that schools do things differently!

[mrstweefromtweesville]

You're still innocent, Winnie.
Put nothing in writing in schools.
Wouldn't even have an exit interview.
Just go.

[mrstweefromtweesville]

Go smiling and waving, even. 'Thank you, I love you all, goodbye' smile, smile.

[meandjulio]

I resigned from a post because my boss had used a racist epithet (not about any individual) in a staff meeting. I hated myself for not challenging him in the meeting, and was churning away about that, when I suddenly realised that I could leave and get another job. So I resigned, but I put the reason in the letter. This caused huge angst, my boss came and begged me to stay and apologised to me (why?? I wasn't hurt by it, I just didn't want to work somewhere where it was OK to say that sort of stuff) and then put me on the spot saying did I really thnk he was racist, did I not think he cared about his clients etc. I was struggling because really the epithet had been the last straw, not the only reason I wanted to leave. Anyway, I agreed to stay on and had a horrible few months struggling away with awful relationships all round. If I'd EITHER challenged him OR just resigned and gone away without talking about it, it would have been a better outcome for me, anyway.

[WinnieTheWilt]

It really is a Stalinist different world. I still don't get it, but thanks for the warning!

[WinnieTheWilt]

You see I respect you for that, meand. My HT has persuaded in the past, so that won't happen. I think schools should know why teachers are leaving, otherwise how can things get better?

[meandjulio]

Oh yes I think they should know why they are leaving. I just don't think the reason should be in black and white with your name on it!

[WinnieTheWilt]

I thought she blanched when I gave her my written PM input!
It's so rubbish, though. Management know the reason but it gets glossed over, and/or leavers get scapegoated. And so it goes on ....

[Pud2]

This school is clearly not well managed. Of course the head has the power to get rid of this TA on competency or, if the situation is really bad it could even be disciplinary. I would leave if i wre you. Good luck.

[mrstweefromtweesville]

Winnie, in one of my last few meetings with my Headteacher (secondary, I was cracking up mentally) he actually said to me, of himself, "Lots of people think I'm Stalin."
I'm hearing impaired. I looked at him with a puzzled expression and asked "A starling, sir?"