Implications of a year out?

[letsghostdance]

Hey everyone, please bear with me, I've had a really rough week and am currently looking at all options!

I'm a probationer, just finishing up next week (in Scotland). I thought that I had been very lucky in securing a permanent post, and I know I am, but I'm now having serious doubts about it. I went in to the school today to meet the class and they are very difficult. I know that everyone has to have one at one point, but I honestly don't think that I'm the right person to have them. I've had brilliant reports duirng my probation and during my student placements, but I just looked at that class and for the first time ever thought "I can't handle this".

So, looking at all options. I have another interview on Monday which is for a job which is fixed term for a year. If I was offered that would it be ridiculous to give up a permanent post for that? Or if I was to not get that and take some time out to apply and find something that felt more right, would that reflect badly on me?

I am competent, and I know I'm good at my job. I just couldn't think of where to even start with this lot. It was only half an hour, but still.

Please forgive how jumbled up I am. Any words of advice welcomed, I'm panicking quite a lot.

My first class was a baptism of fire - and by the end of the year bloody lovely! Hard work never stopped but it certainly helped me develop skills.

I know, and I understand that everyone gets difficult classes and that sometimes you just need to get over it. I just didn't get a good feeling from the school at all. It also has never been my first choice, or even close to my first choice. Just feeling a bit lost.

Is the system different in Scotland then? If you have accepted a job for next term do you not have to stay there until Christmas now?

I would say take the class. You can't really know what they are like on half an hour at the end of term. Go in all guns blazing next term, armed with every strategy you can read up/ think of and get them where you want them! The sense of satisfaction will be huge and the skills gained on the ride will set you up for all other classes!

No, I haven't signed a contract yet. I have it, but no one has asked me to sign it yet so I'm holding out. Also, Scotland is a lot more relaxed in terms of contracts, and we don't have the verbal acceptance law that England does.

My head is spinning and I can't actually enjoy the last couple of days with my current class. Feels awful. I know that you can't know them from this half hour, but I can't shake the dread/feeling.

You might not have signed a contract but won't you be really pissing off the head by backing out of a job now? They would find it very difficult to recruit for September this late in the day.

I don't know how it would work in Scotland, but in England there would be a good chance that if you pissed one head off, they would tell all the heads in the area and you would find it very difficult to get hired anywhere.

I've got 10 years experience plus a year as a TA in an SEBD school. I've taught some tough classes in my time. But when I went to meet my new class before I changed jobs at Easter I was seriously worried about my ability to cope with them and if is done the right thing. So what you are feeling is normal.

My class are fine and I'm having fun despite some pupils with quite complex needs. But the reason they are fine is because I have a lot of support from the Head, other teachers and support staff - it makes all the difference. If you don't feel you'll get the support you need to cope with them then don't do it - run for the hills! But before you do that I suggest you speak to the scho, share your concerns and try and pin them down on how you'll be supported. If you do get the support to meN you can handle thrm it will be the making of you as a teacher and you never look back.

Slightly different situation, but I had my confidence knocked in my training year by a chaotic course and did not feel ready to do an NQT job. Have been doing supply which has been fantastic, really built up my behaviour management skills in tough schools, and now I feel ready for anything ( no desire at all to ever take on a permanent jib, but no longer because of lack of confidence).
In your situation would go for the temp job, otherwise the summer will be miserable anticipation.