Resigning at Easter

[Lyla6789]

I joined a school in September and let’s just say I’m not a ‘good fit’. I originally wanted to leave at Christmas but missed the deadline. Everything going on with COVID has not helped either and I feel that I’m at breaking point with very little support. Now my questions are:

Will it look bad on my CV that I left at Easter and did not complete the year? Will a future school not want to employ me because of this?

Will my current employer not give a good reference because I decided to leave early?

I am very concerned about the consequences about not completing the full year.

Thank you in advance!

No I don’t think it will just so long as any other placements have been of a decent time period.

Any reference has to be fair and factual. Most school references are tick box activities

I left at Easter once. It was fine.

Why did you leave at Easter if you don’t mind me asking? Thank you

Just make sure you leave on good terms and explain your reasons clearly for leaving. The school world is a small one and you want to good things attached to your name. However, not every school is the right fit and that's understandable.

@Lyla6789 reading your message is like reading my thoughts. I really feel your pain. I really hate my current school, which is such a strong word. I have never felt like this before and have taught Successfully for 20 years. I know Covid has made it hard to settle in, with a feeling of isolation as I don’t know anyone. The students haven’t got to know me properly and as a hod my staff are grumpy and unhelpful. It’s amazing that my boss can’t see this might be an issue..and piles on the normal level of stress. He reminded me I was on probation this year and to up my game😳 Feel so low I spend every day trying to work out how to leave decently and how I can financially support myself.

Doe this sound familiar?

@Quarks69 Thank you for sharing your story. I’m sorry your going through such a rubbish time. I agree Covid has made it so difficult to settle in. I think we may have just ended up at the wrong schools for us. I do hope things get better for you.

I left Year 6 at Easter once. It wasn't ideal (and I can't imagine the school had a good impression of me) but it was either that or leave teaching altogether. I put my previous headteacher as my reference.
I now work abroad and nobody cares. I feel much more valued here than I had in the UK. Had we stayed there, I would be in a different job now.

Thank you @Fuzzyspringroll for sharing that. I’m glad you managed to find a role abroad that is right for you. I don’t think I would get away with just putting my last headteacher down as a reference because nowadays they want your previous employer.

@Lyla6789 It wasn't that long ago. :) I had put my current headteacher down as well but luckily my old one knew the head of the school I was applying at and was able to put in a good word. I also don't think my headteacher then would have put anything horrific. We didn't have a huge falling out or anything. It just wasn't the right school and it wasn't working for me or the school, so I had discussed that with them.
Fingers crossed it all works out for you.

Where are you teaching now? I am thinking seriously about teaching abroad but not sure where to go. I don’t want to imp out of the frying pan as it were!

I think you know if a school is a good fit for the long term or not. I started a new part time job this term and while COVID has made it impossible to get to know the wider staff, I'm already beginning to feel settled because it's a good fit. Well being is a massive priority, as is safety. Everyone who I work with have been very welcoming and helpful and making sure I'm OK. I wish it wasn't a temporary contract 😔.
Don't hang on if you're really unhappy.

@Quarks69 I teach in Germany at a bilingual school (in the English-speaking section). Pay is better, hours are better. :)