The dread…

[JulianCasa]

Anyone else got it?

3 form entry. My colleague is on long term sick as of tomorrow and I have a new starter ECT in the other class. I’m not even sure what I’m doing tomorrow myself and will have a supply (or TA. Who knows) relying on me. The dread has truly set in!!

I had similar for the entire Spring term. Plus a trainee. Exhausting. Do something nice for you today, and good luck 🤞

Oh gosh I just came in to start "the dread thread" yes me, I'm lying in bed still, feeling wretched.
It's going to be a tough and busy term ahead but honestly I like my job and know I'll be fine once I get there, it's just this bit that's hard isn't it?

Do you have any responsibility for the year group? Are you UPS/TLR? If not, surely to some extent the supply is not your problem?

I know from experience in secondary that constantly planning for classes other than your own is exhausting- and at least I didn't have to do it all day, every day! This isn't a sustainable way forwards. If this is the expectation, I'd be asking what the plan is long term, because it's not viable for you to do this all term.

If you're officially supporting the ECT (i.e. mentor etc) then you can't also be responsible for the supply day to day- and it's surely more important for you/the school that the ECT works out?

Anyway, hugely empathise, and I hope things go as well as they can.

My dread is that it's coming into BTEC exam/SV season which is going to mean loads of paperwork and stress!

Yep-have got the dread here, too. Being off on holiday and being able to properly switch off, relax and sleep and finally see straight makes me realise how much I don’t want to be working in schools any more.

Being able to actually stay up past 10 and spend time with my family is such a lovely way to live but I can’t manage it in term time.

It’s made me really question things long term sad well. Do I want to stay part time which is so better for my sanity but means my pension is going to be appalling, go full time which I think will almost certainly result in some sort of breakdown (and I won’t get UPS3 anywhere else, so would have to take a massive pay cut when I am actually relatively happy with my current workplace-it’s the whole education system I have a problem with), or leave.

Funding a new job is not quite as simple as it sounds, though!

@JulianCasa I'm sorry you're dreading tomorrow 😔 it sounds like a tough situation and I have had similar (albeit secondary, as a HoD) so I know how hard it can be when you are teaching your classes and also planning for others plus supporting covering/new staff.

I hope that you can do something nice today, even just for an hour or so.

More practically speaking, for today, just focus on what is absolutely essential for tomorrow. Are you planning for all 3 classes? Or is ECT planning their own? Is it possible, going forward for you and ECT to share planning to ease the load?

I saw a quote recently that struck a chord, it was along the lines of ' when you feel anxious, remember, one thing at a time, one hour at a time, one day at a time'. May be helpful to think that way for tomorrow.

Longer term, can you speak to the Head/another SLT member? It's not on for you to be shouldering all of the responsibilities- I would explain that while you are happy to help, you cannot do it all and ask how they can support you with the workload.

It's really tough at the moment, remember to be kind to yourself!

I always find this board so supportive and kind 🥰❤️ thank you all.

I’m currently running a bath. DH has taken the little one out to the park and shops so I can bath and wash my hair.

@Postapocalypticcowgirl
I am on UPS yeah, so it is fair enough that I’m expected to guide people but I’m absolutely going to ask for some help from an assistant head. Im not responsible for the year group, no. In fact I’m new to the key stage altogether this year!

I’m in a SATs year too so hardly as much pressure as secondary school exams but my first year of doing that and potentially being moderated and that’s making me super nervy about this term too!

We share planning between us, I will be taking on a bit extra to cover the sick colleague but ECT will be doing some too so it’s not all on me!

@Appuskidu im so sorry. It’s awful to feel this way isn’t it? So hard to find a job for a similar pay, we’d have to start at the bottom of a scale again. I tried PT but found it horrendous and went back to FT pretty quickly. Just too hard to keep up when someone else is teaching your class for 2 days.

Aw thanks again all, good luck tomorrow xxx

The very best of luck to you all. I just couldn’t do it anymore and resigned so from tomorrow I will be officially unemployed. Terrifying but better than the thought of having to go back.

You know what is best for you. All will be fine in the end. Small steps.👏

I hope today wasn't as bad as you thought. (It was shit for me but that's another story).

Definitely ask for support.

I would also be wary of the school pushing too much on the ECT. Not to say you individually should be protecting them, but someone else should be supporting them too!

Anyway, solidarity, and I hope things get better soon.

Also, I think SATs can be just as much pressure from the school as exams for older students. And external moderation is so stressful!