Blindsided with ‘you might fail your probation’

[Laura2121]

Hello all,
I recently joined my current school, from the beginning of this term in September. Things are generally going well here, except for with a class I have been given which is a bottom-set year 9 class.
I have been a classroom teacher for 10 years, but have had limited experience with teaching bottom sets, as well as students with SEN.
Some students in one of these bottom sets need a TA in with them (for maths and sciences- I teach chemistry), however, due to timetabling issues, a TA couldn’t be attached to the chemistry lessons. Meaning I had to deal with the students without the necessary TA, and being new to teaching SEN as it was, I have found this to be a struggle.
I asked the school for support with this, and in lieu of a TA, they sent a member of SLT to sit in with this class for our weekly double lessons, while observing me.
Over the weeks, progress has been made, but yesterday in my end-of-term review meeting, I was told that I had not made enough progress with that class this term. They said that they are running out of giving me chances with this until they have to fail my probation.
This came as a shock to me, because the SLT member of staff who has observed me has seen progress, I have written evidence of this as well. There are a couple of targets ofcourse, especially in relation to catering for SEN students and issuing behaviour rewards/sanctions fairly, but progress has been made.
Behaviour from some of the students in the class used to be appalling, and over the weeks I have managed to get them on side mainly with a ‘name on the board’ system, rewarding good behaviour, which had motivated students to engage fully in lessons. But I was criticised for going too much the other way with this, to the point that I have been doing this “too much”.
I also have not been sanctioning poor behaviour as much as I ought to, again which is because I’m someone that believes in positive reinforcement rather than punishment. The few times that I have issued a sanction for poor behaviour, the student (s) has gone running to another member of staff and I have come under the spotlight myself. Also a couple of issues have been raised with another year 9 class recently, where I’ve had a couple of behavioural issues there too.
I am at a dead end because I have been putting a lot of effort into these classes, but to be told at the end of term that I might fail probation because not enough progress has been made with this, is very discouraging. Also the member of staff who made this conclusion, and asked my line manager to relay this information unto me in our end of term review meeting, has never once seen me teach these classes which were mentioned. She is a ‘helicopter’ member of staff in charge of new staff’s induction into the school.
This is all also in contrast to my other classes, where things are going really well. Great student progress, happy students, happy parents.
I just don’t feel I am cut out to do teach bottom sets and I would like this class taken off my teaching schedule and swapped for another one similar to the other ones I teach where things are going really well. I have asked the school if this might be possible. But if it isn’t, I am at a loss as to what to do?

To me this almost sounds like you are being punished for drawing too much attention to the inadequate resourcing of your class.

I would request a meeting with the slt that is observing you and ask if you are on track to fail probation. I would then implement every single suggestion they make in order to pass probation. If they say more sanctions one lesson then you do more sanctions the next lesson. If they then contradict themselves the next lesson, just agree with them and do it.

Once you have passed probation I'd consider looking for a different job. I don't think saying that you don't want to or can't teach the bottom sets is a viable move.

I would also consult your union to see if they have any useful advice.

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I echo the previous poster - you need to toe the line, implement any changes they suggest, grit your teeth and keep your head down until you pass probation, and then look to move to a more supportive school with a better culture of support for staff, better behaviour policies, and/or a less challenging cohort. It's not fair on the other teachers in your department to expect one of them to pick up a difficult class because you don't like teaching them, and realistically you are not going to get through a teaching career without having bottom sets - maybe you could consider a selective school in the future?

Issues like this tend to be teachers not seeing the bigger picture.

firstly have the confidence that as a science teacher you can go anywhere really - and are only limited by travel time. Recruitment is in crisis and it may just be that the school is not for you.

secondly - make sure all the additional things teacher ms get asked to do are done to the maximum. Are you on duty, visible at all times appropriately? Do you stand on your door as students come in visible in the corridor? Is all your data up to date? Are you setting homework properly? Is your marking up to date?

behaviour in my school is atrocious. Follow the system, and do your best but I think behaviour is at an all time low. I think teachers at my school are unfairly highlighted for struggling with behaviour - so I have no advice. Just try and create routines for calm - do now activity focus on student activity not teacher talk.

ask for specific actions and keep a record of you doing them. Don’t complain about doing them or compare yourself to other staff. Teaching is bloody hard and I feel it’s harder than it’s ever been for me just because of behaviour.

also all teachers are teachers of SEN! It’s not about identifying specific needs but making work accessible to all levels.