Why does education have such a bitchy environment

[Cruisem]

I have been in my new role as a ta and midday for 6 months and ive realised the school is incredibly bitchy its awfully toxic to work at. Everyone moans /slags off about each other. The headteacher is no where to be seen and is resigning in a few weeks. Theres been numerous incidents with the staff resulting in displinarys. No one knows anything about the day or what's happening.
The deputy head comes across nice as anything to parents but is arrogant, rude and just awful to be in the same room as. Please reassure me surely not all schools are like this? This is my first role in a school so I've nothing to compare it to

They aren’t .

but all schools are intense, busy places where people get stressed.

As term goes on people get more tired and the atmosphere can suffer.

I have always found them very hierarchical places. Not ideal.

I agree. I've found some school environments have lots of cliques and groups if they worked together a long time. Plus it's such a stressful job it can go one of two ways. People support each other through the stressful times, or people get very competitive and take their anger out on colleagues. Teaching really affects people's mental health.

I forgot to say, other schools have been lovely! It really depends on the atmosphere and ethos of the school. They aren't all like that.

Not all schools are like that! There's plenty of stuff that's not great about working in schools at the moment, but my colleagues are bloody great.

I am a department lead and refuse to buy cards/gifts for two staff leaving this term. They are a pair of bullies hiding behind their crocodile tears. Not to derail you but I feel this is a reasonable way to respond to toxic people.