Final straw

[CuckooCuckooClock]

This week I've been called names, had things thrown at my head, had a parent yell at me and yesterday a group of year 10 boys threatened me with serious physical violence.

Slt do nothing. My hod does nothing. Union rep can't do anything.

All I want to do is help some kids pass their exams. I really don't think I deserve this. I feel sick when I think about work (don't work Friday's thank goodness). I used to be a nice person but I really find myself having dark thoughts about some kids and colleagues.

I just don't know how i can manage until Easter.

I don't expect replies just needed to complain about the nightmare.

[noblegiraffe]

It's hard, I know. Teachers are the kinds of people used to putting others' needs above their own. But it can only go so far. You're a physics teacher! You're gold dust and you're working in your own lunch hour to get these kids up to speed and they're not supporting you. Some schools are so badly run it's untrue.

[CuckooCuckooClock]

You are right of course. Thank you.

[noblegiraffe]

Look at your mental health. Of course you want the kids to do well and you feel some responsibility for that, but you can't take it all on yourself. It's not your fault they had supply all last year and it's not your fault that SLT are useless and allowing kids to run riot. You don't have to put up with it and you don't have to push through to the detriment of your mental health for the benefit of those students.

Go to your HOD. 'I want to catch these kids up on their physics experiments but I cannot while my lunchtime sessions are being disturbed by these kids. Either SLT sort out someone on duty for that corridor, or I'll have to stop the lessons and you'll have to find some other way to get these kids to do their practicals'. Put it back onto them. If they don't get their shit together, then you have to protect yourself.

[CuckooCuckooClock]

I know if don't have to but i feel sorry for the kids.
It's mostly a year 11 class who had supply all last year so I really want to catch them up for their exams. I'm a physics teacher so there's lots to of practicals they need to have completed that they haven't done and if I ditch them at Easter we need to get through it by then.

[noblegiraffe]

You don't have to do revision and mentoring at lunchtime. If things are that bad, pack it in. It's your school's fault for not supporting you properly so make sure they know why.

[CuckooCuckooClock]

Thanks for the suggestions.
We don't have enough IT suites so that's not an option and I'd be worried about damage to the limited facilities we do have.
I will try getting ted ed to do the teaching and use textbooks. At least there's a chance for some kids to learn something.

I do revision and mentoring in my classroom at lunchtime so I can't go anywhere else for that or lock the door.

It all feels a bit hopeless. I feel so sick when I think about it.

[Trailedanderror]

💞 ex teacher here and a close relative does constant supply as the stress was untenable.
as an aside I clicked on this as I wondered whether it was someone at DD's school. Supervising Saturday morning detention 2 weeks before Christmas.

[noblegiraffe]

Your union rep could support you in your refusal to teach the student(s) who physically assaulted you or threatened you with violence until the matter has been dealt with and sanctions issued. Unless you don't teach these kids?
If kids are shouting abuse into your classroom at lunchtime, to get you through to Easter could you spend lunchtime somewhere else? In an office? Your car? Lock the door?

[Postagestamppat]

Is there a way of getting through the lessons without having to teach the students directly? In your situation I would try to do as much independent work as possible on computers. Let the trouble makers surf whatever crap they want and focus on helping the good kids. Although that does dependent on IT provision in your school. Another tactic I'd give a go is watching a film/video with a worksheet. I find standing in front of class and not being allowed to teach or the endless calling out/rudeness the hardest aspect of challenging classes. So I found designing lessons around films/internet/animations that do the actual explanations worked for me. Computers work like a sedative on most students. (One reason why i think that they should be used sparingly, but you need to keep your sanity.)

[disappearingninepatch]

You can ask to be released from your contract earlier. My friend did this and left at May half term. They can only say no.

[CuckooCuckooClock]

No. Rules are you can leave at Christmas, Easter or summer afaik.

[Cric]

Can you not hand your notice in for Feb half term?

[CuckooCuckooClock]

I will hand in my notice but Easter's far away!
I don't know what the union rep can do.

[leccybill]

Why can't the union rep do anything? Presumably other staff are having issues too. You won't be alone.

[ididyeah]

If you aren’t getting backed up then I don’t think it’s good enough. If it was me i’d Give notice and then go on supply until I found a better situation. It’s not worth it if it’s demoralising you because of lack of leadership/support from slt

[Littlewhistle]

Our union rep's advice was to go to the police if you're verbally or physically attacked by pupils or parents,

If that was to happen in a shop or the street you would call the police. Just because it's happening in a school isn't any different.

[MyBrilliantDisguise]

Well I think after leaving I would be in touch with OFSTED. If someone doesn't blow the whistle they'll never know.

[CuckooCuckooClock]

Tbh I have more time for the kids who really do have a difficult time. It they have chaotic home lives for eg. And I try to have patience and show compassion for the relatively few who fall into this category.
But the majority of the bad behaviour comes from entitled egotists, not troubled kids. The school I work in is not in challenging circumstances, it's a low poverty area, it's just got a bad atmosphere and behaviour isn't managed properly.

[CuckooCuckooClock]

Thanks. Yes I will leave at Easter. It's going to be awful from now until then but I'll have to just grit my teeth. I agree they will not back me up and I will probably be blamed if anything happens.

[MyBrilliantDisguise]

I would definitely leave that particular school. The management are appalling and if something happened to you (a punch for example) they would not have your back.

[CuckooCuckooClock]

The problem is you don't know how bad it is until it's too late do you? At the least you have to spend a term at a school however horrific it is. I don't know if I want to risk it.

[lorisparkle]

As already said you can cope with challenging behaviour when you are supported. Other schools are more supportive so in your situation I would look around for other positions. Nobody should have to put up with what you are without proper support.

[TheFallenMadonna]

For them as well as us.

[TheFallenMadonna]

God yes. And the most challenging children often play up at Christmas too. Can be a tough time.

[CuckooCuckooClock]

Thank you for replying.
Maybe I'll feel better soon. This time of year is always tough.