New job fear

[Gigis]

I accepted a new job last month. Felt OK about the school, didnt love it, but there was nothing that was a huge red flag either. The department I'd be working with genuinely seemed lovely. I am now panicking I've made a mistake.

I keep reminding myself why I had to move on - am fairly early on in my career and there are NO opportunities for professional development at my current school. Furthermore, there is very little accountability in terms of data, marking, performance in the classroom. (RI school, unsurprisingly) While I know this may be the holy grail for some looking for an easy ride, for me it meant I feel I am still only as good as an NQT, which i was a few years ago. I haven't been observed since 2017, for example.

My new school is rated Good and is very hot on data and intervention. They seem very exam driven. They do shared planning. This will all be so so new to me and I'm terrified I won't be able to keep up.

I'm not sure what I'm looking for really, I just feel very anxious. I see on here all the time teachers complaining about work load and feel lucky I've never felt like I was drowning before. Now I'm worried I will. I also have a 1 year old, so feel stupid that I could have stayed in an easy job while life is more hectic at home.

I'm not a teacher, but my brother is and has stayed at the same school for 13 years. He is now trying to move to get further progression, but finding it very difficult having been there since NQT. So I think moving early on and learning that there is not just one way to do things, is the best thing.

I'm sure you will be fine once you settle in. Any new job is very overwhelming and exhausting the first week and then I'd give yourself a month to settle. Good luck !

Good advice above. I wonder if it might also be possible to spend a day (or part of a day) at the new school before the end of term? This would obviously be dependent on your current school releasing you - unless you’re part time. If you could swing it, some time spent there might remind you why you took the job and the positive factors about the new environment.

Thank you, sorry for the late reply it's been a busy couple of days!

I hope your brother finds the job he wants @feelthefearhaveabeer and what you say about leaving early on makes sense. Thank you, it's reassuring to hear that if I stayed where I was comfortable I would probably find it hard in future.

@likeafishneedsabike I hadn't even considered asking to go in a bit before the end of term! I'm not sure how I'll swing it with work and childcare but it's something I'm definitely going to look in to - thank you.