Picking a tree…

[Tunnocks34]

Secondary maths school with a TLR.

Last week I was out on a QA target plan (this isn’t an informal support plan but I imagine it is gearing up to it) after 5 years of outstanding QA and observations, because the 20 minute observation they saw lacked challenge, when I showed them I had challenge in my books, they stated it didn’t count because I had it labelled as challenge questions, so I obviously didn’t understand what challenge was.

Today when driving to work, I honestly considered driving my car into a tree so I didn’t have to go in. I need to leave - I have a feeling they are pushing me out as I am UPS 3. I have been applying for jobs. I wish I could take time off work for WRS but I am worried about what would happen in case of a reference.

This is just a vent I guess, been teaching for 12 years and never, ever experienced anything like this.

If you need time off, take it.
If they're "supporting" you, what form is that taking?

Not getting any support, other than an additional observation and I need to prove I am acting on their feedback.

Irrespective of reference, your health is more important. It is clear to me that you aren’t well enough to be at work. I would definitely recommend getting signed off by your GP until you are in a better frame of mind.

You sound very unwell. Please contact your doctor on Monday and get signed off on sick. ATM, you are not thinking clearly. You also need to contact your union on Monday. Bugger the reference; your health is more important and I doubt whether there's a teacher in the country who hasn't had time off with stress.

@Tunnocks34 I've been where you are. It was a wall rather than a tree.

That was 14 years ago. I got out of the school from hell and I got another teaching job. There is hope... but you need a break.

I’ve been there too, except like @MrsHamlet it was a wall (more of a cliff?) rather than a tree. Luckily, I walked into a colleague’s classroom, burst into tears, told her what I’d felt, and she marched me straight back to my car and told me to go home. I took a week off with ‘flu’, applied for another job and discovered it really was the school that was the problem, not me.

I credit that colleague with saving my life.

Take the time off. You can self-certify for the first week. If a week isn’t enough, see your GP and get signed off for longer.

Also call your union.