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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.

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Original poster

Anyone nervous about starting a new job?

24 replies

JenniferYellowHat1980 · 23/08/2015 20:44

I left a PT job in a school I liked last year for FT (needs must) a bit closer to home. I knew from day one it was a mistake - the head made a passive aggressive remark to a colleague in a whole staff briefing and it set the tone. Behaviour was appalling. Expectations were low (floor targets of just one level progress were the default). Parents were unsupportive. No room for adaptation of deathly SoW. I left when the HT told me I was ill before inspection, because I was vocal about behaviour and dodgy practice in reporting of progress.

I have a new job lined up and I'm looking forward to it; however I can't help but feel nervous of a repeat. Maybe it's me. Maybe I've been spoilt working in a nice school for so long.

Anyone else feeling a bit jittery?

OP posts:

PrincessHairyMclary · 23/08/2015 21:02

I am. I'm moving from an admin role at a sixth form to a TA role at a secondary school. I was appointed on the last day of term, have no idea what my actual working hours are or what the role really requires, In fact I don't even know what to wear as I'm supposed to be working across PE, Science and Technology but I'm sure I'll soon work it out and am looking forward to it.

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 23/08/2015 21:04

I didn't want to leave your post unanswered. I'm not starting a new job this September, but we are welcoming several new members of staff. I just wanted to reassure you that most schools see it like that: we're welcoming them, looking forward to working with them, etc, etc.

There must have been things you like about this school in order to accept the job. Focus on those. Try to put your horrible experience at your previous school behind you.

Good luck

sj73 · 23/08/2015 21:09

Yes me!! I have the jitters. I was at my last school for way too long. I'm dreading being new and not knowing the kids and am terrified I'm going to be miserable. However: change is good. I'm hoping it will reinvigorate me! If it isn't for me then I'll just get another job!

Pud2 · 24/08/2015 11:31

I started a new job in June after 16 years at a lovely school. I was really nervous but, so far, it's been ok. It is really hard getting to know all 475 kids but I'm getting there! It's also odd not knowing all the families and their histories but I guess that takes time.
Good luck. Most schools are friendly, with inevitable internal politics. However, once your in the classroom, kids are kids and we do what we do best!

TheReluctantCountess · 24/08/2015 11:44

Me!
I had an awful time in my last school, as there were some poisonous members of staff there. So, in one respect, I am looking forward to a new start.
However, I am worried that I won't fit in.

Original poster

JenniferYellowHat1980 · 25/08/2015 18:01

Oh I definitely had a really good feeling about the place at interview and during my visit, but the HT at the school I'm leaving was very fake. I knew it though - just needed to secure FT work. I haven't come across anyone with a bad word to say about the new school; the opposite in fact.

Just jitters.

OP posts:

Singsongsung · 25/08/2015 18:19

Jitters here too. I've just left a pt job at a school I loved- fab kids and lovely staff for a promotion to a senior ft post in a much more challenging school. I am scared witless!!

NotQuiteThere · 26/08/2015 00:51

I'm nervous! Going into my NQT position, and so worried about failing. The school and the pupils I met seemed really welcoming, and I was assessed to be outstanding at my end of placement review on the PGCE so I think I am suffering from a severe case of imposter syndrome!

WildStallions · 26/08/2015 11:54

I'm really scared! Taking my first ever TA job and I have no idea what to expect.

I was so excited / looking forward to it and then I met my teacher over the holidays and we didn't really get on and now I'm dreading it.

I think I may have made a massive mistake becoming a TA.

PrincessHairyMclary · 26/08/2015 16:28

Wildstallions There are people in all walks of life that you may not get on with. What age range are you working with?

Although I also have no real idea what to expect as a Secondary TA and I start on Tuesday! It's at my previous High school so at least I don't need to worry about finding my way around.

MatchsticksForMyEyes · 26/08/2015 16:44

Me! Have done a sideways move to be HoD at a closer school. School performs well and the staff are very helpful and friendly when I've visited.
But I am nervous about not knowing the kids and the dept wants change, as do I, but inevitably there will be teething troubles and I also hate not knowing procedures inside out.
I am nervous that after 10yrs at my previous school the kids will be testing out my boundaries and I could potentially have weeks of being bad cop to establish myself.
Can't wait to feel settled.

Rubylee87 · 26/08/2015 19:01

Me. Starting again in a new school where I don't know anyone, it's huge so I keep getting lost, don't know the kids/families and feel so daunted.

I had a good reputation at my last school with parents, had strong relationships with some of the other staff and my classroom was just the way I wanted it. It's so hard to start all over again.

On the positive side, it's a good school and staff morale is higher than in my last school. It's difficult when nobody knows you and everyone seems to assume you're an NQT even though you're 5 years in! I can't wait until I'm settled in and know what I'm doing. At the moment I feel like everything is alien to me

hopelessadventure · 26/08/2015 20:47

I'm moving from my TA role at a school I've been part of for 10 years into a teacher training position (SCITT). I've got an amazing placement so feel incredibly fortunate but very nervous to be meeting lots of new people and wondering if I can actually do this!!

PantryofWhoGivesAFuck · 26/08/2015 20:58

yes, i have left a private school job and i am going to be working in a free school.

I am worried I will mess up - disorganised, marking etc!

Fallulah · 27/08/2015 08:38

Yes, me too! NQT in a new school with a year 7 tutor group so all brand new. Haven't really had any kind of induction (my visit day was yr6 transition day so spent allday with them) but we have two inset days so hopefully it will happen then!

Really excited because the school and staff seem so lovely, and I won't be commuting for 2-3 hours a day like I had to in training. Just want to get in there and check I haven't forgotten how to teach now.

Tillyscoutsmum · 28/08/2015 16:51

NQT year here too. Sodding petrified frankly

SaltaKatten · 30/08/2015 11:00

I'm nervous as well. Got a new job after 6 years in a school in a very difficult area. By the time I left, all but two other teachers had been at the school for less than a year!
I'm going in, in a middle management position so hope to make a really good impression straight away, but I keep feeling like I'll be caught out not knowing what to do, even though logically I know what to do and have lots of experience. Once the first few weeks are done I think we'll all feel much better.

Original poster

JenniferYellowHat1980 · 30/08/2015 22:10

I don't actually know which year group my form will be, or if I'll have my own classroom. It's not that the school is disorganised but the HOD is off at the moment, so I feel a bit underprepared. My DCs go back earlier than me, so at least I have time to go in an sort myself out.

Without wanting to out myself, I'm delighted to be moving back into the English system.

OP posts:

avocadosarentmiddleclassed · 31/08/2015 11:08

Me I'm an NQT and feel like there are more blind spots than areas I can see clearly what I have to do... Don't feel very prepared on the planning fro t either and just never seem to be able to get to the end of lists I create aaaah! Good luck all :)

SuffolkNWhat · 01/09/2015 17:35

Me. I'm moving from secondary to primary and just feel like I've forgotten something major this holiday!

WildStallions · 01/09/2015 17:38

I survived my first inset and am feeling much better :)

LollipopViolet · 01/09/2015 19:45

Not a job, but I'm going to be starting a placement in a school soon, as part of a TA course.

Most of my experience is early years, with 6 weeks as an assistant lead instructor at a summer camp in the USA - I'm terrified!

PrincessHairyMclary · 01/09/2015 21:23

I survived my first inset too. Everyone was very friendly and helpful and I think Ill enjoy working as a TA much more than my previous adminy role. However I've realised that whilst I've always been quite academic I have either forgotten everything or it's completely changed in the 15 years since I left High school and have to really brush up on my Science and English subject knowledge.

NotQuiteThere · 02/09/2015 00:13

I'm having quite bad anxiety at the moment. I am teaching Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 and am quite stressed at the thought of teaching AS. The INSET has been full of nice, helpful people, but I feel a bit overwhelmed with all of the information. At least my school ICT systems are working (fingers crossed)!

I'm sure it will be ok once I get in the classroom and start teaching but I seem to have forgotten how to plan lessons effectively!

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