New job

[Newsummernightsdream]

I m covering a maternity leave Have just been told there is a probation period to new job. Had. no idea this was a thing as I'm not an NQT. HOD is totally overbearing. Has tidied up my classroom . Has also arranged for colleagues to come into my lessons to 'help me'. Had my doubts about the school from the start . Kids are noisy and some are very rude. Have worked in tough schools before but feel like confidence is being drained. What would you do?

Please help

Were you not told about the probation period when you first started OP?
Have they raised concerns about your conduct previously?

How long is the job?
Was a probation period referred to either in conversation or writing?
Can you afford to leave?

No I wasn't, nothing was mentioned. Kids are tough and rude. Its mostly talking over me. Kids ignore me or argue back if challenged. I do try but it's hard to write names on the board when it's most of the class.

I just get made to feel that it's my fault. Kids are not responsible. Kids just shut up when SLT come into the room and then start talking again when they leave. HOD told me to talk over the kids when they are still talking but apparently that will shut the children up ,...

Depends on the lady who's off but probably six months more. There is a lot of cover at the moment

Is it right that supply will struggle with behaviour as the students know you are not there long term?

Probabtion periods are normal these days and you can make them work in your favour as the shortened notice period works both ways.

So if you're not happy, you can move on outside the normal 2-3 months' notice.

That aside, as a maternity cover you will always struggle in schools like this, where respect isn't embedded throughout the school. Not only are you new to the kids, who are used to cover and will test you over and over to see where your breaking point is, but they also know that there is a guaranteed point at which they will have their regular teacher back.

All you can do in the meantime is work with the behaviour system and stay consistent with it. Try to get as many kids on side as you can and try to work with parents on those that resist. You won't turn all of your classes around, but at least a few.

And form a little support group with other new members of staff, who will likely have similar issues.

Maternity cover is often 1 week notice anyway, in which case it doesn't make much difference if there is a probation period.

Temporary contract - read it. Is it Fixed Term or Supply?

Also, if you’re unhappy leave. Hand in your notice. Things will not get better. Look for another job.

I was on a 1 year Supply Maternity Cover. I didn’t walk out despite difficult situation . The school got rid of me anyway - I think they realised they needed less lessons covered than they thought.