How long do you reckon it takes to settle in to a new school?

[WilburIsSomePig]

A term? A year?

I'd love to know the answer to this as well.

Years a go I stayed in a school for a year and half waiting for it to get better and it just got worse.

I've been at my current school for a term and a bit, and whilst much better than the other school I mention above, I don't really like it, but I can't put my finger on why. I can't decide whether it will get better or not My suspicion is not, or not for a long while anyway - the whole place is in chaos.

I've just been approached by a school that I did supply in last year, and there, I felt settled within about 3 days of arriving - I'm so so tempted to move.

I think it’s instant. I’ve worked in 4 schools. In 3 in felt right. In one it didn’t feel quite right- it only got worse as the year went on. I left after a year.

Took me a couple of years.

It depends what you mean by settled in.

Knowing whether it's 'your' kind of school- maybe not instant, but definitely pretty quickly.

Knowing everyone's name, most of the routines, having buddies- a couple of years.

Having that super-cosy, 'second home' type feeling where you have to actively remind yourself that you do have to wear shoes and shouldn't pick your nose- five years? About the same time everybody starts coming to you to ask where the (1982) teeth and eating resources are kept and where the key for the shed went.

My old school was my second home, though I suppose when I look back it was a few months to feel 'part of things'. I just miss everything about my old place and need to give the new one a chance I suppose.

RSTera has it right.

I think you get the measure of a school quickly (even if individual colleagues can be spikey).

I'd say it took me about two terms - I started at Easter and it took me until the Christmas to feel properly settled.

I have been there 2.5 years now and really like my school. I've learnt loads there and enjoy the kids and my colleagues.

I was at my previous place 5 years and although I liked it to an extent I don't think I ever felt as happy as I do at my current school. Not sure why really but certain members of the management didn't exactly help.

Two years.

I can settle into a new school in a few days.

I've been at my current school so long that I really can't remember - this is my 17th year there and I'm now the longest serving teacher.

I did leave my second school after a term though - it just wasn't right.

I started at my new school in September and I know it's a good fit for me. I'm only part time but really happy already.

I stayed at my previous school for 2 years thinking I just wasn't settled yet, but it was a terrible fit for me.

I asked a shedload of questions at interview and met everyone I could before I took this job. I didn't think I could take another bad choice!

I'm secondary BTW. The kids in both schools are very similar. It's the department and the staff and the ethos that count.

I knew my school was a good one immediately. I probably appeared 'settled' within the first 6 months. This is now my 3rd year and this is the year I feel much more confident - I know more kids (massive secondary but they don't take the piss now, well not always!), I know processes and procedures, I know whats happening when. Felt like I was on my 'best behaviour' for a year.

As an aside - I changed jobs after many years in one school when I was 50. I didn't think I'd find it too difficult but I really,really did. I also seemed surrounded by similar aged acquaintances who changed jobs and careers and who found it amazingly challenging and exciting etc. etc. etc. I just felt a sense of oh my God am I doing things right...........