Coping with an extremely difficult class

[silentrabbit888]

I am a primary teacher and have taught some tricky classes but my current KS2 class are extremely difficult.

The overall behaviour is very poor and 30% of my class are SEN. I have children who trash the room and some have no diagnosis/support in place although they clearly need it. I have no permanent TA and no help before or after school. I'm going through a period where absolutely everything is being done by myself and I am finding it unbearable.

I feel as though I am not able to provide those who need it with the correct support as I am not an SEN teacher and cannot do it alone. Other children in the class need my support too but are unable to access it. I physically cannot work with a group and maintain behaviour during sessions.

I have raised my concerns but nothing has changed. I am wishing every minute of every day away at the moment.

I would like to seek your advice for any tips/pointers that might help!

Thank you so much

I have a feeling we must work at the same school! I guess that is the every day reality of Primary teaching in 2023.
I had a similar issue last year and I just had to survive every day. This year is easier because I don't have as much SEN so I can focus more on the behaviour side (which is still difficult, but manageable). What impacted me the most last year was other children in the class being constantly visibly afraid of the others' behaviour (they would even tell me they're scared, but there was nothing I could do). My classroom was trashed on a nearly daily basis I had to stop putting up displays below adult shoulder level.

My only advice is don't be hard on yourself and don't blame yourself. You're not the only one responsible. If you're not getting the support you need, make sure to log all serious incidents and make sure other staff (even though you said you don't have a regular TA, there might be others in the vicinity or temporary support) also log the incidents. That was there's a clear record of everything you're doing and no one can say you're enabling the behaviour, etc.

If you're not getting the support you need from SLT, leave at October half term. It's not worth the stress. Threaten it, tell them you are looking round some schools and so on. Honestly, get in a school where you are supported and where you aren't dealing with such stressful situations. Life is too short. Get out of there.

Any 'holding activities' you could through at the SEN/group bunch to keep them busy while you set the rest of the class off, then work with group for 5/10/15m whatever they can cope with, then toss them another holding activity while you loop back to the rest of the class?

It's not sustainable long term, you'll run yourself ragged.

Have a chat with other teaching colleagues if they can spare a TA or some support and organise it between yourselves if SLT aren't stepping up.

Then hand I'm your notice!

*throw

Do you work with me?!

Seriously though, last year, I had a class with 33% SEND plus ridiculous behaviours. I had to take the learning right back to basics and do a lot of mindfulness and PSHE alongside brain breaks. They just wouldn't cope otherwise. It was bloody hard and I'm so glad I didn't move up with that year group. I did two years with them and it almost made me leave teaching.

You can't keep a student who is trashing the room safe, and the rest of your class safe at the same time. If a student is regularly trashing your room, can you ask for a risk assessment for that student, explaining how they and the rest of the class can be kept safe.

If your SLT are even half decent, they may then realise the current situation is unsustainable and look for another solution. If it's still all put on you then it is probably time to hand in your notice.

Behaviour in a lot of primaries does sound insane at the moment and I don't know how you are supposed to manage!

I have this at the moment, 20 years of teaching and 5 weeks into the new term I’m ready to jack it in. The worst class I have ever taught for behaviour. They are off the scale. The noises, shouting out, silly gestures and rudeness is driving me mad. I also have no TA and am expected to just get on with it. There is a small group who are ruining it for everyone else which is really sad. I do brain breaks, restorative practice etc but when you’re dealing with children who simply don’t care you are fighting a losing battle. It’s unsustainable.

I'm finding this year the most difficult yet. I'm a cover teacher but have worked at the school for tears, so know all the children, staff and parents. So, not like regular supply.

@iluvsummer your class sound like most of mine. I honestly don't know how anyone is learning anything and every day is a slog. Their class teachers are feeling the same.

There is something very odd and worrying about a lot of children's behavior lately. They've lost respect for anyone but themselves and just can't cope with the normal school expectations.

I spent dinner time crying in the car not wanting to go back. The sheer lack of respect is astounding, they laugh in your face and answer back when you ask them to stop. SLT take the softly softly approach and almost make it feel like it’s your fault. They have historically been an awful class but nothing has been done about it and I can’t understand why. Parents are no help either they’re either like it at home or they think
their precious snowflakes can do no wrong.