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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

Is anyone considering an october resignation?

30 replies

CiderLolly · 19/09/2015 22:35

Soooo, I've been teaching for 15 years, always had good to outstanding observations/ feedback, well respected etc etc but I've lost my mojo. My school is not a nice place to be and I have tried to find another post but have been unsuccessful (great interview lessons but not great in interview) . Feeling like a need a change and fancying a bit of supply. Anyone similar???

OP posts:
amarmai · 19/09/2015 23:16

Yes i've done that - but the worst was when i was supply teaching after i retired and the school i was sent to was dangerous for me and for the students- so i left at am recess giving the above reasons. Amazingly i was paid for the day!?

BackforGood · 19/09/2015 23:22

I think there are staffrooms up and down the country FULL of teachers who'd like to get out. Smile
There are at least monthly threads on here asking what other teachers have managed to transition to.
The issue with supply is the lack of money security, combined with the number of schools that cover classes with unqualified staff.

elephantoverthehill · 19/09/2015 23:29

CiderLolly I have been through this too. My last observations were not outstanding or even good. I concluded that I had lost my mojo. But I have got it back through talking with colleagues and being honest. Well I think it is back.

Olivo · 20/09/2015 17:13

I rediscovered my teaching mojo by taking on a new role within school. Even though it impinges heavily o nay classroom time, for some reason I am teaching more enthusiastically. I am 20 years in, and seem to tire every five years or so. One sabbatical year, two children and now a now role.......lets see what 2020 brings Grin

futureme · 20/09/2015 17:21

I'm always looking for something else!

Original poster
CiderLolly · 20/09/2015 19:08

Yes, I think the other two times I felt like this I had a baby and went off on maternity leave Grin That really isn't an option this time! New role might be an idea but I think a new school would be better. I shall keep trying with the applications!

OP posts:
elephantoverthehill · 20/09/2015 19:24

In the good old days when a teacher was given the role of working out cover and supply. I was always 'accused' of going and having a baby when things got tough. I still work with her and we are on good terms but she may have had a point. Alas I can't play that card anymore.

futureme · 20/09/2015 20:07

Is there still less pressure/ paperwork in scotland? There is in Australia but that's a bit extreme...

SuffolkNWhat · 20/09/2015 21:49

I felt like this after 10 years in the same school. I'm now in a new school (and have moved sectors) and have got my mojo back!

letsghostdance · 20/09/2015 22:13

Scottish teacher here, my paperwork is very minimal. My forward plan was about 20 pages in total (including assessment results, class list and groupings which took up about 6 pages), and really that's the only paperwork I have to submit except reports...

elephantoverthehill · 20/09/2015 22:25

Is it really better in Scotland or Australia? I could be getting itchy feet.

letsghostdance · 20/09/2015 22:40

I work 8:30 - 5 every day (but take my full lunch and break), do another 30 mins or so in the evening to check everything's prepped for the next day, and I do an average of around 2 hours on a Sunday evening. I'm a 2nd year teacher too, so still very new, and I feel like everything's under control... most of the time

futureme · 20/09/2015 23:06

Yup very different I think! Certainly the teachers I know in oz set their own curriculum pretty much. Not yet target and observation obsessed.

My limited knowledge of Scotland is tgat a line in the planner is still OK. It was for me when I stopped teaching in England. Not sure I want to go back into schools here now. I'm not part of a factory assembly line and I can't teach that way.

elephantoverthehill · 20/09/2015 23:17

futureme Do you know anyone in Oz who wants to a year swap? It used happen quite a lot with teachers.

futureme · 20/09/2015 23:25

The ones I know are staying there! There's agencies that arrange it though aren't there?

Doowrah · 24/09/2015 20:47

Quite possibly, will have to see how the next few days pan out. Apparently after book scrutiny this week a year 4 colouring was not up to scratch!!!

elephantoverthehill · 24/09/2015 20:58

well if colouring is not up to scratch please ensure said year 4 does not opt for gcse geography.

Doowrah · 24/09/2015 22:06

Quite elephant...poor sod did his best and it was supposed to be something he could return to in the future in spare minutes to finish off. But no it was perfect immediately therefore he and I are deficient.

Doowrah · 24/09/2015 22:16

I meant wasn't...

elephantoverthehill · 24/09/2015 22:23

Doowrah Bless the little mite, but I find fault with your teaching methods because you did not have a stamp to say 'this will be finished tomorrow' or did not use your purple pen of power. If it is any consillation we have to use pink and green pens. WHY DID YOU NOT MARK THE WORK STRAIGHT AWAY!
Oh and that might be another 1% of a teacher's salary the government might save.

lurkinginthenorth · 24/09/2015 22:26

Fuck CiderLolly you are me!
Seriously, either you are me in an alternative universe or someone is impersonating me!

I too have been teaching 15 years; good/outstanding lessons; great lessons at interview; terrible interview (thinking my accent is a little 'out there' for the region I am in!), run-in with the HT, union involvement, sick leave, maternity leave etc, etc.

Going back after Christmas but would consider a resignation at the earliest opportunity and going supply. My first maternity cover does supply as well as 1:1 in our school and she is ALWAYS getting offers from schools.

futureme · 24/09/2015 22:30

Our (my daughte's, I'm currently teaching adults) infant school has just had a new head. They've brought in green/pink pens and made the school day entirely maths/english apart from one hour.... the associated juniors has scrapped a sleepover night as "its not in the curriculum". I wish it was just isolated but so many schools are going this way aren't they? I fear moving or applying out of catchment wouldn't help would it...

elephantoverthehill · 24/09/2015 22:53

Goodness, marking tonight i picked up the wrong colour pen. OOh what do i do? I highlighted it in the right colour, will verbally explain this to the student and make the right symbol Shock this is not shock this is verbal feedback and then i will probably have to explain it to someone futher up the line. My GCSE students think it is hilarious that I get marked on my marking.

Doowrah · 25/09/2015 20:41

Yes Elephant I too am on the green/pink pen treadmill. I am not deep marking 90 books every evening as they would like either....cringes in fear at the hoisting of judgey pants at this admission.

elephantoverthehill · 25/09/2015 20:54

I am teaching 13 different groups each week. Many shared with non-specialist staff. If I mark a set every night I might just keep up, but that plan doesn't take into account marking homework too. I know primary colleagues will have little sympathy, but teaching a practical subject means that I have to prep for that too.