Work stress - how has it got worse?

[notthemayo]

Hi all,

Not entirely sure what I want from this thread - perhaps just to air frustrations in a forum where people understand and can empathise. I’m a second-year AHT (8 years in to teaching) and this year so far is just the pits. Kids leaving constantly, staff sickness off the scale, and the stress of my role (leading a key area for improvement) is just insane.

I had a panic attack in work recently for the first time and just don’t know what to do. The kids are lovely, but so apathetic - similar story with parents. And the attainment gap keeps widening no matter what we seem to do.

Not asking for miracle solutions as there are none(!) Just airing in case anyone is feeling the same (and selfishly hoping for a bit of support).

Thanks all.

I was just about to post a thread about workload, actually. I am extremely well-organised. Yet even I cannot keep up anymore. We're expected to do more and more each year (since when has evidence for access arrangements in dindividual subjects become a thing?) and are constantly bombarded with another 10min task, which in reality takes 30 at least, and for which no time is given.

I am a TLR holder but have one single extra free a week to do my task load in (unprotected, of course). My task load requires an extra 3-4 hours a week. On top of all the other admin, the pristine books asked for, live marking, not being able to use time when students do their exams (to look for evidence of access arrangement needs), having SLT who teach one tiny class a week (and usually top sets) proudly present their perfectly-marked books and tell us we have to do this for 5 classes of 30 a day, more and more parental contact, which seems to have exploded since Covid, more and more feral behaviour and student absences (for which we need to then find the time to provide catch up work), and my stress levels this year are higher than ever.

But I do what I can and sod the rest. If anyone wants to start an argument, they can. I document my work and working hours, and I am well over reasonable working time. If they want more, they can find me the time to do it in.

I'm sorry things are so tough 😔 I don't have much advice but plenty of solidarity!

I lead a core subject and my poor 2nd has been off ill for 4 weeks. Absolutely genuine and not their fault at all but the additional workload has been insane, on top of what was already a massive load. I've been trying to desperately spin so many plates.

Plus we have had one or two sporadic absences in the department, 2 colleagues struggling with family issues plus another 2 that I have concerns about so dealing with that as well.

It's been absolutely awful 😥

Oh gosh, sounds like we’re all having a rough time of it! I’m currently on SLT and desperately trying not to pass the pressure on to staff, but it’s so hard. I feel like so many of them see past the facade and see me struggling. I’ve no idea what I’m going to do in the longer term, but in the short term - at least half term is looming (only partially said sarcastically 😆)

Solidarity to you both and I hope things get easier soon.