It's over.....

[Feebeela]

Hello all,

I handed in my notice and will be leaving Dec 31. I've been a primary teacher for 8 years but the system is broken and I can't take it anymore. The data, the relentless learning walks, book looks and drop ins, marking systems, timetables, themed weeks. I could go on but these two things are the straws that broke the camels back.
My HT told me that my passion and love for the children shines through but the children can get love anywhere, we want the children to become mathematicians. That's what's most important. This shocked me and made me feel so, so sad for the kids in the school.
We also had staff training on our new reading scheme. As far as I could see it was teaching to the test from Y3. We were told how wonderful our school reading ethos was but I completely and utterly disagree; we have no library, no reading for pleasure time and no protected story time at the end of the day. We do have daily reading lessons but that is all extracts rather than whole book.

What do you think? Am I overreacting or is the above just the way it is in primary schools today?

I am in secondary but your post still really resonates with me. The system is broken, we teach to the test barely even giving teachers the chance to find out what the test will actually be. Love for the subject has become almost impossible. Why can't we just prepare them to be happy, rounded individuals who are prepared for employment (not just in academics), able to understand basic finances, nutrition and critical thinking. I have always been a grade A student and always thought academic success was the only was to be happy and successful in life. How wrong I was as it lead me to a career that breaks so many people. I always believed that when I had children I would do everything in my power to help them to become A grade students. I now believe the system to be so broken I am no longer concerned by this. Instead I will focus on making them rounded happy people who find an enjoyable vocation in life that will allow them to earn a living. I just hope the school system doesn't prevent this!

This is my 6th year teaching and even in that short time, the expectations have shot through the roof. My day is almost unrecognisable from my NQT year. I've been part time for 4 years since having my first child (pregnancy + NQT year was fun!) but going back full time next year and hoping to have a bit more impact and bring some of the fun back!

Op I totally get what you are on about. How sad that your head said that
I too went into the job for the passion. I've been teaching 25 years. I do belive that the workload is beyond ridiculous nowadays in a primary school. I only 'work' 3 days but actually work more hours than when I was full time years back. If I could find anything remotely comparable in terms of pay then I'd leave in a heartbeat 

Your head sound dreadful.

I feel exactly the same, only I can’t afford to leave!

I left teaching a few years ago. It broke me and I wish I had gone earlier.
The kids don’t matter. The numbers do.
I was sick of the pressure and workload. The lack of respect or support. The ability to spend real time on students who deserved it. I was sick of reinventing the wheel every few months and of assessment becoming the whole point of teaching. I was sick of having to mark in a stupidly complicated way to impress ofsted rather than for the benefit of my students. Sick of stupid and unrealistic targets and the pressure they put on staff and students.
I am sometimes asked if I miss it. Never.

You will indeed be a great loss to the teaching profession, it is a sorry state of affairs that primary schools have become little more than learning factories.
It must be really difficult to work in school when the people in charge who should know better loose sight of what really matters.
I also feel sorry for the children who are subjected to this regime.
I can't believe your school has no library and children aren't read to.
Perhaps in the future you will be able to find a school where your beliefs would be valued.

In my classroom we:

Have guided reading for 20mins a day when we practice for comprehension tests.
Have 20mins independent reading of 'scheme' books every day.
Have 20 mins 'class novel' time every day when I read fabulous novels to them.
Have 20 mins 'free reading' time every day just for fun.

We write about what we want to write about- usually topics dragged from the darkest corners of the human soul.

We take breaks when we need them. We work for longer when we are so hooked in we can't stop. We have mental health time and physical health time.

Nobody tells me I'm doing it wrong because nobody else could even get my kids to sit down.

Come and work in SEN- it is better!

This makes me so sad that good, engaged teachers are being hounded out by impossible demands and stress. I am sadder still that your experience and situation is certainly not unique and just how little teachers are appreciated. ...

Kids can get love anywhere

Is your HT high?

Sometimes school is the ONLY place some kids can get love.

It's so depressing both as a teacher and as a parent. I've been teaching for 15 years and there is no fun in it any more. My HT keeps on about a broad and balanced curriculum but then says we have to do 1 hour literacy, 20 minutes spelling, 20 minutes guided reading, not to mention shoehorning in interventions with the extremely limited time you have an LSA in your class. I feel so sorry for the kids.

@Wolfiefan what do you do now?

Erm? I look after the kids and house and walk the dog and do volunteering etc. DH earns enough for me not to do paid work and he travels for work so it’s less stressful if I’m around.
Plus I’m proper broken! Investigations into pain and today I’m trying to figure out why I can’t breathe!!

That's good that you didn't need to find something of a similar salary - that's my issue.
Not good if you're not well though - take care