Not feeling too great about current placement school

[Warmday]

Over the last few weeks I’ve tried hard to enjoy the scitt placement I’m at and make the most of it. But I just don’t like it. No matter how hard I try things just get no better.

They’re a bit cliquey and I always feel like the odd one out there. Last lesson my observation moderator sat in on my lesson and spent most of his time on his phone? To his own admission just messaging the team...

I can’t help but feel it was honestly a bit unprofessional overall and before anyone things it’s because they had faith in me. It’s not.

What do I do I’m feeling drained and now schools are going back the dread is setting in.

I know you've had quite a few uncertainties with your placement, it's hard when you don't like it somewhere

How long do you have left there? Until Easter? Count down the days. Focus on ticking off those standards!

Now more people will be in the school, can you chat to other staff to make things easier?

I am in a large department where I work and really like my team, however, I have two colleagues in particular who are in other departments who I am very friendly with. Go explore other departments and find people to chat to there.

Keep going -it's not forever!

I’m feeling a bit similar. I loved my first placement, had fabulous and constructive support, was made to feel part of the team etc. And feel a bit deflated by the second one which will also be the third but is more like what you describe.
I’ve found that people who are not involved with you can be far more helpful than your actual official support network - if that makes sense. Talking to people in the staff room outside your own dept is a real positive. I have met someone who is an NQT and understands far better what it feels like to be a student than my mentor does, so shares info etc. (For whatever reason our school doesn’t include students on any communications lists, so you only find out what’s happening if someone deliberately lets you know).
I’ve been focusing on trying to maintain a positive demeanour whilst also having a clear awareness that THIS TOO SHALL PASS. It’s not like being in a job where there is no end in sight.
Sorry, that’s really waffly - I think I’m saying - just stick in there, you’ve got this.

I felt similarly about my first placement, had a countdown of days left and nearly cried when some training was cancelled and I had an extra day in school!

I absolutely adore my second placement, I came in very nervous after the first experience, but it is just wonderful. Having worked in schools before, I knew the issues were with the school and not me. I am in my thirties, I think I would have struggled a lot more if I had done it straight from uni. Good luck and hang on in there!

I think it's a very tough time to be a trainee. However, I do think from your posts you perhaps have a bit too much of an expectation about "enjoying" placement and having everyone be friendly and welcoming to you- that's just not what it's like in some schools for trainees (or indeed new staff). I know that's not great, but it is what it is and I think you need to let that go.

I think you need to focus on what you need in order to succeed- are you getting enough support from your mentor? Are you getting opportunities to gather evidence?

I had a hideous second placement. For a huge variety of reasons. Including me discovering the A Level class had been taught the wrong text! Anyway, despite many many problems I got through it. I knew I wasn't going for a job there and used stubbornness to get me through. And looking for the good bits. The form I was attached to were lovely for instance. My training year was 2001/2. I'm still teaching. Ranting about things in a safe space certainly helps