What do I want to do in September!

[fluffycloudx]

Hi

currently having a bit of an existential crisis! 25F, currently an ECT2. For context I have worked with children since I was 16/17 and worked so hard to become a teacher! However this last few months I am struggling with whether I want to stay in the job.

the workload is a lot, but I cope with the planning etc quite well at the moment as I’ve been teaching the same year group for 3 years so can just adapt plans. I love actually teaching, but I feel like I spend the day fighting fires, managing multiple high need children and trying to cope with all the extra demands from other adults! My school has quite a high level of behavioural need , and it can be frustrating having so much dedicated to these children and less to give to the rest of the class! The morale at my school is low, lots of staff are not happiest, and I feel like leaders are constantly nitpicking.

i want to get my ECT finsihed which will hopefully be end of this year
and trying to decide if I want to try another school, or another job altogether

anyone in a similar boat?

Get your ECT qualification if you can, then leave in the summer. Do supply for a bit and take it from there?

I don’t think I’d like supply tbf want soemthing on a permanent contraxt
im debating either finding a teaching role in another school and hoping the climate there is better, or looking for soemthing maybe a WFH or youth support services role
I think teaxhing would be my best option pay wise plus the holidays are a bonus! I know the grass isn’t always greener but I’d hope there’d be some schools where you can teach more happily, unless it’s the whole system! Change freaks me out but I don’t want to stay at this school and be miserable

I remember being given the advice to never quit teaching if you've only tried one school. All schools are so different to each other. Try to identify what it is that you don't like about your school (is it the behavioural needs themselves, or how SLT manage them for example) and specifically look for a school that will be different. I find larger schools easier to work in than smaller schools as you can share planning and don't have to wear as many hats. It sounds like you're really committed to working with children, and it would be a shame to give teaching up before you've tried more than one school. Good luck!

I would say, try another school before giving up, if you enjoy the actual teaching.

I loved my previous school for a good few years but then various changes and SLT becoming rather ineffective made it difficult. I moved schools 2.5 years ago and really like my current school - there are ups and downs but there always will be, overall though, its a good school with a strong and visible SLT.

Good luck!