Been teaching for over 20 years. This year I have a very low ability LKS2 class with several SEND and EAL children. One child has an EHCP and attends in school mainstream plus provision during the morning…. But is in class every afternoon with 1 hr support on one afternoon and 1 hr support on another afternoon. (Currently a supply ta as position was not filled in summer.
My class and another class share 1 Ta in the morning so I get approximately 45 mins support each day. Yet one of the other classes which are much better in both ability and behaviour have a full time ta in the morning? TA’s work doing interventions during the afternoon.
Behaviour is atrocious and I spent most of my time fighting fires rather than teaching. I also struggle to find any cover to use the bathroom mainly during afternoon (tend to send a sensible child to find somebody.)
I feel completely worn out and drained and have been to management twice now but nothing has happened. I spoke again tonight and they said they will pop in to speak to the children and stay in for a while….this makes me more anxious and it’s pointless because they are bound to be good with assistant head popping in! Feel totally unsupported and I had a burning feeling I my chest this afternoon alongside the daily headache. I am going to be seeking advice from my union.