I’m really wondering about being signed off sick

[itslikebeingshoutedat]

I have a new job, starting January.

I’m a secondary teacher. I’m having a horrendous time with one particular year group. This has been going on since last year. To be honest, I feel bullied by them. They made me cry once (I know, I know) and I actually think it’s a game trying to get me to do it again.

I don’t want to put pressure on my colleagues or leave on a sour note but I’m so fed up.

How supportive is your school? Can you get the ring leaders to sit in a colleagues class for a few lessons to get the rest on side? Can your head of dept or slt sit in on a lesson to observe and offer suggestions. Use the behaviour policy by the book, call home to parents. Keep going, you're human don't worry about the crying one time. I'm sure it's a few select children rather than the whole class, remember that, try and find the positive.

If you don't feel you can approach anyone then perhaps it is the school? Have you thought about switching schools.

Teaching is really really tough. You have all my sympathy, don't let one shitty class rule you.

Not supportive at all, we can’t send children out.

Hmmm, you could go off sick, but I think you’d feel bad for it.

All I know is that I can’t face being laughed at, being screamed at, threatened, argued with, I’m normally very patient but I’m just worn down with it.

I'd go off sick. If no-one will support you then you've got to do something to look after yourself.

It’s just making me so miserable. Really worn down with it today.

Let me guess... pivotal?

Pardon?

Lurking to find out what pivotal means.
I hope things improve op, either way you need to do something. If you go off sick eventually you will need to go back.

First line of op - meant nicely not rudely

OP, if you're leaving in 4 weeks for a new school then you have 2 options. Go off sick now and don't return, or continue with a new attitude of not giving any fucks about this class and how they are with you. That way, you're not let the buggers grind you down. (I'd choose the first option though!). Phone the GP today to make an appointment next week, go back on Monday, collect all your belongings then self certify on Tuesday never to return.

To be honest, that’s what I desperately want.

However, I’m worried about leaving on a sour note and about old school potentially causing problems for me at new school.

Go sick - it’s not long and if the little darlings are making you feel this bad then it’s not worth it.

If you've signed your new contract and the reference has been sent you've nothing to worry about.

Go off sick - I'm a HoD and support my department as much as I can in an unsupportive school. I had someone go off sick in these circumstances when we were already half a department down. It was hard, but we survived. People will survive. You shouldn't have to feel this way. You must put yourself first.

Ah yes sorry. So either you are off sick until then or if you can, stick it out knowing the end is in sight. Good luck x

If you can possibly get through it I would. You never know if you might need to go back there in the future.

Four weeks left, yes? You could always do three more and then self cert for the last week with a sickness bug, give yourself a good long break and start fresh in January?

I’m so sorry. You need to try and get some support by getting senior staff or those with expertise in behaviour support to sit in with and co-teach if at all possible. I know it’s nit the point of the thread but ‘sending children out’ achieves absolutely nothing. I know there are some god awful schools out there but the SLT bashing is at crazy level. They were you before being promoted. They don’t have a magic wand that makes children behave. It’s highly likely they won’t be able to get the child to leave anyway. The solutions have to come from the teachers......clearly with loads of support but a few hundred quid extra doesn’t suddenly make kids do what you want.

We can’t send them out.

I am HOD. I have good classroom management skills. This is not me.

Ffs this school your in sounds insane! Go off sick immediately.

Can't send them out!? What the actual fucking fuck!!!!!

pivotaleducation.com/about/behaviour-management/

I’ve not used it, but I believe that not sending kids out is one of the rules of Pivotal.

It is not you.

Pivitol sounds fucking fuckety shit to me!!!! I'd quite on the spot with a bug fucking fuckery bye bye get fucked if slt brought that fucking shit in!

Quit not quite