Supply Teacher seeking advice from other supply teachers

[AR77]

Hello.

I wonder if any other supply teachers would tell me what they would do in this situation...

Started a two week block in outstanding school this week. I wasn't aware there was any behaviour issues. The class was a nightmare...the usual... lovely kids...lots of needs...

I asked at the end of the day if they were normally like this and told no. ..to be tough with them. Did that on Tuesday. It was a better day - though challenging.

It turns out that other members of the staff know full well what a handful they are. Bit odd I didn't get a heads up either from agency or school? If I'd known I could have been better prepared.

'Told off' yesterday for not walking at the front of the line with the class.

Offered to do playground duty yesterday to give parallel teacher a bit of time back as I know it is a pain in the neck having to provide resources for supply. Ended up locked outside, alone with 90 kids for 10 minutes after playtime ended. Had to phone the office to be let in.

I was asked to bring three books (Higher/ Middle/ Lower) to staffroom today to see how they are getting on.

Asked to plan a history lesson using Aspire and unfortunately, I'm not very experienced in that. I did get upset at this point and said that it is all a bit overwhelming when I've only been at the school a few days.

I offered the staff the option of phoning the agency and getting someone better in they thought it would be better for the kids.

Staff were nice and said to stop being silly and that I must be doing something write as they hadn't had any complaints from parents.

Just feel rubbish. It's just been a miserable experience so far. Don't particularly want to go back, but equally don't want to let agency, school or staff down. I haven't been doing supply that long so don't want to be creating issues really.

What would you do? Am I just being overly sensitive? I did tell agency on Monday how bad it was and that they had never had any issues before.

Thanks for any advice. Probably partly my own fault for not being clear on expectations of block supply. I suppose I need to just suck it up chalk it down to experience?

All that sounds horrible. I am in lreland but did subbing for a good while at one stage. I am firmly of the opinion hat a sub should expect a class to be reasonably well behaved on day one as how can a complete stranger pull a class into shape as they are only getting to know them. Some cheek asking to see copies . Try and keep your head up to get through the 2 weeks but don't let them somehow put the blame on you for a badly behaved class. That's a reflection on the school not you. I am sure subs are in short supply so they are dam lucky to have you.
It would be extremely unusual here to have a sub interrogated like this . Could the agency tell you if this is normal.
Also stop offering to do yard if it's not part of your duty. Take the time to relax and get ready for next session.

There is a lot of Supply work available at the moment. Don’t apologise - just tell the agency you don’t want to go back. Situations like this are bad for your mental health in the long term. If the school was unhappy they would not give you notice.

You’re on Supply. You’re getting paid a pittance. Do not strain to meet any standards - if they don’t like your marking/work - tough. Walk out.

You may not want to as it’s only a week but don’t agree to an extension.

If your agency tells you there’s no other work sign up to another one.

Don't go back. The school obviously isn't treating you well and should never ask a puppy teacher to plan a lesson, you're not paid enough for that. There's a shortage of supply teachers at the moment so you'll get other work. You don't owe them anything

Of course I meant supply teacher not puppy teacher!