WWYD - failing school

[michelehu]

I joined my current school a year ago and was instantly shocked by the low expectations and poor attainment. Stuck it out and have done what little I could in a school with a general culture of low expectations and I'm sorry to say in order to get any work completed and the curriculum followed at pace, I've probably also lowered my expectations which I feel awful about.

Every time I raised my concerns I was told it was because they were a covid cohort and to keep doing what I'm doing. I've only taught a few years including covid. It has been very difficult to get the children anywhere near where I would like or expect them to be, and now an external agency has absolutely damned us and told us we're inadequate and failing. I'm so frustrated as I've been unhappy since I started and knew my own standards were slipping from where I came from (outstanding NQT in an outstanding school). I've been very naive and should have followed my gut but now don't know what to do. We're due Ofsted and I've known all along this isn't the school for me and I've become a worse teacher rather than better, and now I'm terrified we're going to get a terrible Ofsted. I wish I could start afresh but I know I can't jump ship now as everyone within the school locality would think badly of me, although I'm sure they already do now! WWYD in the same situation?

Start applying for jobs in other schools. You have until half -term.

Or, grit your teeth, look on the bright side, think about improving one thing and apply for a step up the ladder in a years time…

As a Supply Teacher I would say absolutely COVID has made children more immature.. and primary. In some schools they have got over it but not all…it seems to partly depend how strict the social distancing was.

Concentrate on what role you would like in 3 years time and an interim responsibility to get you there. Then a small 1 year step you could do in your current school if you can’t get out. Then you have a goal and an end to your current misery in sight.

Do start start drafting applications. Maybe invest in a career coach.

Don’t let your current school stop your career.

Good luck

Thank you so much, I was expecting a much harsher comment but this was so helpful. I think I need to just get my head down and do what I know is good and not focus on anyone else. Hopefully in the next year I'll be in a more stable position and can consider moving elsewhere. Thank you again!

You blame a culture of "low expectations" for everything and yet you say this:

I'm sorry to say in order to get any work completed and the curriculum followed at pace, I've probably also lowered my expectations which I feel awful about.

What made you have to lower your expectations too?

Was it the behaviour? Family situation of the kids? Low starting point?

Because it's easy to be "outstanding" in a school where well supported children from stable families behave well, listen and draw on good home experiences.
Much harder in a school in a very different sort of catchment.

You have two options here I think, look for another job in a school similar to your first school, nothing wrong with that option ...
Or
Embrace the challenge and become part of the solution for this school.

You may feel like a worse teacher now because the children are making you really work for the results but in the long term it might actually make you better and give you the inner resources to work with every sort of child you meet.

Move on. It's not jumping ship; it is preserving your sanity. Sometimes you and your school simply may not be a 'good fit.' This appears to be a popular phrase right now. However, it is true. Move on without guilt and hold your head high. You did all you could/are doing all you can!