Well that was a shitty week

[VorpalSword]

Week previously had 2 late nights, a parents evening and a trip that took a lot longer than expected (total of 7hrs driving)

Year 11 had been having mocks, so some gain when they were out but nothing useful. My subject had the last exam, so I had 3 classes to mark in 4 days - deadline missed but it was extended to today (lucky me!). No expectations reduced, obviously!

I work in a boarding school so used to long weeks and working 6 days a week (I do 9 to 3:30 on Saturdays) but this has nearly broken me. I’ve added everything up and it is nearly 70 hours.

Next week it looking equally shitty, I am some how supposed to do tests (and mark!) and then write year 9 and year 13 reports plus a year 11 parents evening which is a full 5 hours! Fortunately (maybe) I don’t have lessons that afternoon so can start the calls at 2pm, and I have given myself 20 minutes to grab tea so finish at 8.30.

I’ve asked for an appointment with the head this week - not sure what I am going to say, I actually love my job but this is breaking me!

"Hi

I'm really struggling to manage everything that's expected. I'm trying my best to fit things into the time available, but it's not very realistic. I'm worried this is going to affect my health. Is there any chance we can review deadlines to allow some head room?"

Feel for you. Same issue here.

It looks as this is down to very poor planning from SMT. The turn around marking time is ridiculous. You should have had the same amount of time as colleagues. When it comes to reports I am a firm believer in "cut and paste" remembering to change names and he/she. 5 hours for a parents evening is excessive. The most I have had to do is 3 hrs. Talk to colleagues and see how they feel.

It is incredibly shitty planning. But SMT don’t feel the fall out of it, regular teachers and HoDs are really feeling the strain.

I know the Christmas holidays are soon, benefits of boarding school we get 3weeks, and because I have 3 year 11 classes I will have a reduced load in June. Just not sure I can keep going till then.

As close as I am in just saying fuck it and hand in my notice there are lots of reason to stick it out until summer 2027. So I woo be sensible in meeting with the head.

You should have at least a couple of weeks to mark mocks. Parents evenings shouldn't happen at the same time as report writing (or mock marking!).

This is totally unreasonable in terms of workload. Can you talk to your line manager about 'pinch points'? I'm guessing there's no union rep, but is there some sort of staff wellbeing person?

I spoke to the head about how ridiculous the pinch point is this year. But not sure that has much of an impact.

The staff wellbeing person knows but doesn’t seem bothered by it.

I’m going to stick it out for 18 months while keeping my eye open for other options.

And the shit keeps coming!

I’ve just been told that the grade boundaries have changed and I need to renter the data and then tell parents at parents evening their child got a lower grade that we told them! Not sure when as I have no time to do this.

Marked year 13 tests - they did not do well! Not marked year 10 or written reports.

I am trying really hard to hold it together but it is getting more and more difficult, starting to see physical signs of stress - struggling to focus my eyes to read, feeling queasy and dizzy. Before anyone suggests going off with stress I will still be expected to do everything so it is just delaying/ making it more stressful.

I'm sorry I don't have much advice, but you sound in a horrid place and haven't had any replies. I hope you're okay. Have you had your meeting with the head? You need to spell out how many hours you're working. It's not acceptable for the salary level!

Thank you. Yesterday was shit piling on shit, but I have wonderful colleagues who covered 2 of my lessons today which gave me time to catch up. By noon tomorrow I should have all my reports done and dusted.

its Friday and I’m curled up on the sofa with a dog and a plan for domino’s tonight. Going to worry about next week, next week!

Lovely day today with lovely students. Also managed to catch up so all reports and data drops have been met.

I am giving myself the luxury of a day off tomorrow and I’m sure work will be better next week.

Cripes, I was confused for a second as forgot you work Saturdays too. It's no wonder you're burning out. But I'm pleased you've had a better day. Hope next week is better and you have a restful Christmas break when it comes.

Term has now ended. I need this break as i’m exhausted. I had several occasions of feeling panic rising, finding it hard to breathe, blurred vision. So I think it might take a while to get the knotted feeling from my stomach to go away. At least I have nearly 3 weeks off.

Just checked my email and a huge sense of relief. A student who has been acting up (putting it very mildly, never thought I would be bullied by a 14 year old).

SLT reassured me it would be dealt with, but didn’t feel much trust. However, it has been sorted and he has been moved out of my class. That is a massive relief. Hopefully the term will ahead will be much better,

Do you have a working time agreement? We have that in Scotland which defines exactly what your out of class time can be allocated to

Not in a private school no. In state school under then yes you have a certain amount of directed time.

Anything goes in independent. This term is looking a lot better spread out though some the decisions seem really daft (parents evening coming up when we had reports the last week of term so nothing new to say).

Sounds awful. Are you looking for another job? You wouldn't know what to do with all your free time if you moved somewhere else!!

I want to stick it out for 18 months. Then family circumstances make a change more interesting.

It isn’t always bad there are lots of positives about the school and I like working in a boarding school. Just SLT sometimes forget the workload implications.