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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.

To wonder if it will get better?

9 replies

PumpkinPie2016 · 09/02/2019 10:38

I have worked in my school for 4 years and work in a big department. School is graded 'good'.

Problem is, our department has had horrendous staffing issues for the last 4 years. All we have done is fight fires to ensure the year 11 classes had permanant staff. Started this year feeling positive with a full team but just over a term in and things are not good.

Morale is low and two people have resigned already. Others are unhappy and some are job hunting.
Our KS4 data isn't looking good because the kids have had a lot of supply over the last couple of years and a lot are very disengaged (I don't blame them though!). So, the pressure is on massively to improve the results.

I need to sort a new scheme of learning for my key stage but it is not being shared out among staff - basically been told it's my job to do it but I have no department time to actually do it. Then of course, there is all the usual stuff that comes with a TLR.

I quite like the school overall but the department is so difficult to be in. I kept thinking if would get better, we needed people to stay or it would never improve but 4 years on, it doesn't seem to be getting better and now the results look like that will be poor which won't go down well.

Sorry - I am having a rant but I literally feel like nothing is ever good enough. I am actually tempted to go to look at another local school which is RI and who at looking for staff, even though, logically, I know the pressures will still be there but in a different way.

Maybe a change would be a good thing though!

Does anyone else have experience of working in an unstable department? How do/did you keep positive?

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Holidayshopping · 09/02/2019 10:40

I need to sort a new scheme of learning for my key stage but it is not being shared out among staff - basically been told it's my job to do it but I have no department time to actually do it. Then of course, there is all the usual stuff that comes with a TLR.

WTF?!

You’ve been told it’s entirely your job to fix and you’ve got been given any time to do so? Then, when it goes wrong it’ll be all your fault.

There is no way I would stay in that school-you can’t win.

PumpkinPie2016 · 09/02/2019 10:48

Holidayshopping pretty much yeah!
KS4 have been told the same.

The KS4 lead said to HoD about needing to look at/update SoL as it's not good and HoD response was 'well, you're KS4 lead, do something about it!'
But, HoD has told us that it won't be shared! Don't get me wrong, I don't mind leading it and doing my share but the whole thing just seems too much!

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MissMarplesKnitting · 09/02/2019 10:51

What subject? Could another school or teacher help?

I love Schoology for purloining lessons etc that people can share and I can adapt

PumpkinPie2016 · 09/02/2019 10:57

I don't want to say what subject because of being outed but I could definitely ask other schools what they are doing - good idea thanks!

Think I am just finding everything a bit much - there seems to be a lot of trying to pass the buck at the moment. The atmosphere just feels tense all the time and communication is poor.

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HeyCarrieAnneWhatsYourGame · 09/02/2019 11:09

I could have written this. I’ve also just resigned. Been a teacher for 15yrs but I don’t want to do this any more. I’m in a core subject and I am being given no time to do anything for my TLR and despite being part time I was ignoring my kids to work all week anyway. No more.

PumpkinPie2016 · 09/02/2019 11:57

Sorry to hear that HeyCarrie the lack of time is an issue but also the lack of support from above. Then there is the low morale generally. It's draining!

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astuz · 09/02/2019 18:21

Why don't they want you the share out the schemes? I don't have a TLR, but I always like doing my bit with writing schemes, because then I know at least one topic will be written properly in a way that suits my teaching style.

Have you thought about just asking around the department yourself and seeing if anyone else wants to help eg. putting together a KS3 committee of teachers in your department who are interested in helping out, no pressure on anyone who doesn't want to? Even if only 1 person comes forward, that halves your workload, and provides some support.

PumpkinPie2016 · 09/02/2019 20:34

astuz I'm not sure - we have always done so in the past. As you say, even prior to holding my TLR I always liked having input.

Plus, I think getting input from different teachers who have different styles is good.

I may ask around in department although with morale the way it is, I'm not sure I will get any takers!

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PumpkinPie2016 · 11/02/2019 12:21

Well, I have bitten the bullet and made an appointment to go and look at another school in Thursday afternoon with a view to applying there.

I am dreading telling my head though if I do decide to apply Sad will have to tell her on Fri if I am applying because it's then half term and applications close the first Mon back.

I need to do something though - life's too short to be unhappy.

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