Please help :(

[Paellaella]

I just want out. I feel like I’ve hit my limit today. I can’t cope anymore and I want out.

I’ve scoured websites for jobs in my local area and none of them seem to be something I can do. Where can I look for reasonably paid (I’m on ups but happy to take a pay cut) jobs?

I think I would always need something with challenge but I just can’t cope with the demands of teaching anymore. I’m working 55-60hrs a week when I count it all up. And still not good enough for my SLT.

I have a 2 year old.

I can’t stand it anymore.

part time?

How long have you been there? Could you move schools first? Not all SLTs treat their staff so badly. I’ve been there and moving saved my career.

Just started there this year but been teaching for a good few years (trying to be vague with details sorry). Maybe I will try another school, I just feel I can’t bear to go through this again if you know what I mean? I don’t know if I trust that another school would be better.

On a temp contract so no option to go PT in this school. I was actually PT last year and found it really tough to manage. I guess it depends on your job share/situation though. I am in primary and I think PT can be a quite tough as you still need an overview of the whole week, I had 100% responsibility as my day off was covered by a TA.

I’m also Primary and found PT more challenging than Full time. Can you hand your notice in and do supply? I handed my notice in with nothing to go to and whilst it was nerve wracking it was a relief. It gave me the headspace to think about what I wanted plus I stopped caring what SLT thought.

I found another job easily and was really cautious about checking out their well-being policy and asked what turnover was like etc. I also asked the staff questions when I looked round and did my interview lesson.

Teachers are in short supply and you are interviewing them as well.

We’d ideally like to buy a house this year and ttc, not sure I’d get a mortgage on supply? I think this is partly why I feel so trapped as I need the security. Ahh, so hard! Maybe if I try another school and it’s still rubbish I could do supply though? I’m glad to hear you had a positive experience. Are you happy where you are now?

Ah yes that makes it difficult. If you don’t have a permanent contract and they are treating you badly I would only give minimum notice. This is on them not you. You can say that you didn’t have a permanent contract when you apply elsewhere.

Yes I’m really happy where I am now. There are schools out there that put staff well-being high on the agenda. Teaching shouldn’t be made harder by unsupportive SLT.

Do you think it's just the time of year.
The last couple of weeks have really hit me hard.
I feel like I'm drowning in my to do list!
Feeling anxious and I stayed late twice last week to try to make a decent dent but more and more comes along. I'm dreading each email / staff meeting.
Not sleeping great and now come down with a cold thanks to the kids sharing.
Also working more than 50 hours a week, with family commitments it's just not sustainable.

I'm looking ahead and keeping my fingers crossed. It has to get better, right?

If you’re looking to get a mortgage this year then supply really is not an option for you. Mortgage lenders will require you to have a stable and consistent income which supply teaching does not give.
Might be worth subscribing to job alerts for roles in your area? Bearing in mind that you have only a matter of weeks till the resignation deadline to leave at Easter - you may find your luck with a vacancy.
good luck!

In terms of alternative jobs, have you looked at remote working options? This can make it easier to match your salary.

Some people leaving teaching have success with civil service or local council jobs. You could also try looking for jobs with educational charities or in an education job within a charity- charityjob.co.uk is a good place to try for these?

Are you on the facebook group?

I get what you mean about not wanting to go through the same with another school. Last year I moved schools and I like my new school in a lot of ways, but this year things have been getting a lot worse. I've got to the point where I feel that if this school doesn't work out, then I don't see how I can find somewhere easier/better?

OP it is tough. I think even if yiu find somewhere that is better, the workload will not be significantly less. Time for a complete change perhaps?

What do you mean your SLT aren't happy? Good primary teachers are hard to replace at the moment. Is what your SLT asking reasonable? I'd argue if it can't be completed in 55 hours it's probably not. Don't let them fool you into thinking you're lucky to work for them; they likely need you more than you need them.