Lack of staff

[Picklesandbeans]

Totally fed up today, not enough staff today again, so chasing around to get cover. The agencies have no one. I've had enough of it, anyone else the sane? Seriously thinking of a career change.

yep - most Ta's gone on trip with one class
im thinking of applying for a zoo job cant be much worse

🤣

ASN teacher and fed up of being used as class cover because "We can't get supply". I don't think they even try and use me to save money. I feel so bad for the kids who are not getting the support they need.

I hear you!

I'm head of a large, core department in a secondary and we have had lots of staff absences since September.

Ended up giving up my only free today to teach an absent colleagues lesson as there was no cover available.

Staff absence is calming down at our school now thank god. May it continue.

Are having big trouble recruiting TAs though. Full time normal school hours and part time positions and very few applicants, not sure what’s going on out there, also having trouble with getting agency supply teachers.

Full time normal school hours and part time positions and very few applicants, not sure what’s going on out there

Cost of living is through the roof. Supermarkets, full time, is going to pay more than full time TA which is pro-rats to hours worked, The holidays are good for working parents but we are at the point where money needs to come first.

Hopefully TAs are wising up. No point in being paid £9.50 an hour to get shoved everywhere with no notice to cover teachers for weeks on end. End up being off with stress just like teachers!

Yes, I’ve always been able to live within my means as a TA, but it’s not going to be financially viable for much longer.

I know I can earn more in other roles (and have done so in the past) so I don’t think I’ll be in the job for too much longer.

TA wages are atrocious, it’s going to be very difficult for people to live on them much longer with living costs going through the roof

Yes same here, even when no staff off we're struggling with so many pupils with issues & not enough staff to deal with these things, as only teacher to each class of kids & so you cant leave rest of class to sort it out. There was a TA post advertised closing date last friday - no applicants!? I enjoy teaching but not when we're stretched to the limit! It's disheartening.

I find myself really upset at being pulled to support one child for example at the absolute expense of another due to staff sickness and SLT decisions.
I know hard for everyone to organise but so not right and if I was a parent of certain children I would not send them in if I knew what they were being sent to.
Very short of adults at the moment and absolutely soul-destroying.

I feel very low about it...
And, maybe I am not paid enough to care so much and be under such enormous pressure.
As you were!

I’m a qualified teacher and was looking at TA roles. I couldn’t believe the amount of stuff they were expecting someone to do for 17k a year. I mean, fuck off.

17k! I dream of 17k. Most full-time TAs will be getting 10-12k pro-rata.

Well this is in London.

And not pro rata I might add.

TAs need to say no! Clock up how many times you have done it, and tell the unions that it is a lot more than ‘in exceptional circumstances’

TA here, I was given a 6th form class and had to plan and teach - whilst they all had weekend jobs and were being paid more then I was.
I can't afford to stay.

TAs have been running our school all term due to teacher absences. They deserve a huge pay rise.
@PumpkinPie2016 I haven’t had a free since January! I’m also head of department but in a small independent school which has had huge amounts of covid absence. I’ve been pulled in to reach pretty much every subject and so many extra break duties. My job will feel so easy once things go back to normal…

Teach not reach!