Hi all,
Using this as a place for a rant and support (academically). Very little teacher turnover because the kids are very well behaved (selective school) so little opportunity to progress. I had done so much extra work to try to increase my experience but whenever small internal secondments come up, they have a pre-requisite of 5 or 7 years teaching experience as a minimum (I have 4 years, 3 if you include mat leave and 2 if you include covid).
Anyway, not great for progression so I didn't want to stay for long anyway.
Last year I had a very difficult pregnancy. signed off work for sickness and then there were issues that eventually resulted in a premature baby. Before my baby was born, I was having lots of last minutes appointments or scheduled scans that showed issues so I needed to remain in hospital for hours. This resulted in A LOT of cover needed. It was awful. I was sat crying in maternity units, unsure if my baby was ok, while emailing my cover work for the lesson I was supposed to be back for. The guilt was immense. I ended up needing to go and get monitored every morning resulting in being late to work (I had to set cover for P1) and often I needed to stay longer. I was always thankful in the emails I sent to whoever was covering. Thankfully, it was exam season so teachers had a clearer timetable so it meant that my subject teachers could give the students a proper lesson rather than just a normal cover lesson.
So the situation made me feel super guilty. Then (while in hospital), my head teacher called me up and told me she has had complaints from staff that I need to be more appreciative. I was shocked! lost for works. I didn't know what else I could do!? Lots and lots of tears, my last few weeks before mat leave started (last summer holidays) were awful!
During my mat leave, I struggled to not think about that phone call and it really affected me. I decided to apply for a new job for September (a promotion which I got!). While off on maternity, I suffered from PND and was put on medication and I am still being seen by the post-natal mental health team. Because I am moving schools in September, I have to return to my current school earlier than I want to because of the 13 week rule so I don't pay back my maternity pay. My contact with the mental health team has said they don't feel I should go back to work and that I can get signed off sick, however I don't know how this works with the 13 week rule (we can't afford to pay back my maternity pay).
So I've been back for 3 days and I hate it. I'm avoiding everyone as I don't know what members in the department complained about me. They were also annoyed that I'm coming back and leaving (I am very big shortage subject). Thankfully I don't have a super busy timetable.
I know its just a few weeks for this last half-term but I honestly feel that I was treated so badly! I know everyone tried and it was a lot of pressure on the department, but there was nothing I could do.