How do I hang on?

Estrella10 · 2022-07-07T16:49:18+00:00

Hi, I started at my new school, a non-selective mixed school in April after years of working in very good selective single-sex schools. The behaviour is awful and most of the kids hate my subject. I applied for two jobs before half-term but didn't get either so I am stuck for the time being, in the vain hope that something comes up next term so I can leave at Christmas. Today I was do close to tears in my lesson and really wanted to walk out. Someone suggested that I get signed off with stress for thecrest of the term but I have never done this before in 18 years of teaching, and I am reluctant to go down that path. The end of term still feels a very long way off, let alone Christmas or next July! Almost every lesson is awful. Does anyone have any advice, as I am hanging on by my fingernails at the moment. The situation is having a negative effect on me and my family.

Meredusoleil · 07/07/2022 20:19

I'm sorry you're in this situation, but unfortunately it's becoming more and more common in the state sector 😐

What subject do you teach and why did you leave your previous school?

After 18 years of teaching, you may want to brush up on your behaviour management skills if things are not going how you want.

Or maybe try a different approach to delivering your lessons if possible?

hmyh23 · 08/07/2022 19:43

Is your subject languages? As an MFL teacher I feel increasingly demoralised, and I teach in a relatively 'nice' school.

Meredusoleil · 08/07/2022 20:09

hmyh23 · 08/07/2022 19:43

Is your subject languages? As an MFL teacher I feel increasingly demoralised, and I teach in a relatively 'nice' school.

Ironically, that's what my subject was before I left secondary teaching!

Original poster

Estrella10 · 08/07/2022 20:31

Yes it is MFL! The students don't see the value in learning a language. I just get told all the time how pointless it is, how they are never going to use it and how much they hate it 😔

OP posts:

Original poster

Estrella10 · 08/07/2022 20:36

I left my last school because I decided yo retrain as a social worker, started the course and placement and then changed my mind for lots of reasons.
I have been trying to work on my behaviour management skills, doing lots of reading and sticking like glue to school behaviour policy, but I've not seen a huge improvement. It is widely acknowledged that the students behaviour is poor.

OP posts:

Meredusoleil · 08/07/2022 21:30

Estrella10 · 08/07/2022 20:36

I left my last school because I decided yo retrain as a social worker, started the course and placement and then changed my mind for lots of reasons.
I have been trying to work on my behaviour management skills, doing lots of reading and sticking like glue to school behaviour policy, but I've not seen a huge improvement. It is widely acknowledged that the students behaviour is poor.

I feel your pain OP. That was one of the main reasons why I left secondary teaching. It was wearing me down so much. Makes you worry about the future generations when you see how poor some of these teenagers' behaviour is 😏

Would your old school not have you back again? It's sounds like that could have been better behaviour wise at least? I know several staff have left and are now coming back to my dd2's school!

Meredusoleil · 08/07/2022 21:31

Estrella10 · 08/07/2022 20:36

I left my last school because I decided yo retrain as a social worker, started the course and placement and then changed my mind for lots of reasons.
I have been trying to work on my behaviour management skills, doing lots of reading and sticking like glue to school behaviour policy, but I've not seen a huge improvement. It is widely acknowledged that the students behaviour is poor.

I feel your pain OP. That was one of the main reasons why I left secondary teaching. It was wearing me down so much. Makes you worry about the future generations when you see how poor some of these teenagers' behaviour is 😏

Would your old school not have you back again? It's sounds like that could have been better behaviour wise at least? I know several staff have left and are now coming back to my dd2's school!

2reefsin30knots · 09/07/2022 16:20

TBH this is why teachers in comps roll their eyes when they are told they are going to be 'helped' by the staff from the local grammar school.

It's a totally different kettle of fish.

Do you have some colleagues who are really effective with the cohort? Go and watch them as much as you can and see how they structure their lessons and what sort of activities work for the kids then replicate as much as you can.

cherrypiepie · 11/07/2022 22:06

If you can You need to coast and just get through to the end of term. Posters, text books and videos in language. Contain the behaviour. Is this possible. I'm having to do this with one if my classes.

It's so hard I teach two subjects and behaviour is noticibly worse in one than the other and the only variable is the subject.

In September it will be easier as a mid year start is tricky. Job hunt new seating plans no inherited classes and a fresh start

Original poster

Estrella10 · 12/07/2022 17:03

Yep, I am clearly not good enough to cut it at that school. I don't know who I was kidding. I can't have a positive impact there. I will take your advice and observe others but the subject I teach is a big
part of the problem.

OP posts:

Original poster

Estrella10 · 12/07/2022 17:06

Thank you, I am trying to contain the behaviour until the end of term. Tried some posters and mini project work today but it went down as badly as everything else. They just don't want to do anything. I am ticking off the classes & days left until the holidays.

OP posts:

Meredusoleil · 12/07/2022 17:33

Estrella10 · 12/07/2022 17:06

Thank you, I am trying to contain the behaviour until the end of term. Tried some posters and mini project work today but it went down as badly as everything else. They just don't want to do anything. I am ticking off the classes & days left until the holidays.

I'm so sorry for you, but I know exactly how you feel. MFL is just not valued in England unfortunately 😏

hmyh23 · 12/07/2022 20:48

It's unbelievably draining teaching MFL and dealing with all the negativity and often a lack of support from parents. Much worse at my school since we moved to mixed ability. At least in sets we could take it more steadily with the lower sets and work in more culture etc which kept them more engaged. Now with mixed ability we have to plough on with teaching quite high level grammar to y9 for the kids who will continue to gcse in the same class as kids who can hardly read and are just totally disengaged. I can't see myself doing this job for much longer to be frank.

Bien22 · 14/07/2022 06:42

What a shame that mfl isn’t appreciated in your new school, op. I really feel for you as counting down lessons is awful. Can you ask for more support from someone sympathetic within the school (assuming there is someone) i appreciate this depends on the culture of your school. I recently asked for a colleague who I knew was strong on behaviour management to come in to observe a particularly challenging group. He was shocked by how disrespectful they were to me but helped me to have the confidence to put in a few strategies and it has improved, even if it will never be great. It’s really hard if the students have decided to take against the subject. Would parents support you?
Not long until holidays, op, and if it carries on, look for something else. You shouldn’t have to feel like this. 💐
I feel sorry for those kids who are so narrow-minded.