Advice needed

[StupidMe1400]

Been working in schools in various administrative roles. Recently moved to a small primary school which at interview appeared the perfect role so I was happy when I was offered the role. However on starting there was absolutely no handover. The previous person in the role didn’t leave anything, no passwords, logins, processes. I’m expected to hit the ground running but I’m sinking. Basic admin rules aren’t followed eg: staff don’t sign in and out, teachers don’t complete the registers so it’s left to me. I have raised this and SLT agree with me but nothing seems to be done about it. I dread going to work, when I get home/all weekend all I think about is work. I don’t know what to do, I don’t want to work in schools anymore. I can’t just quit as I’ve got bills to pay. What would you do in my situation? I can’t even think straight and life is too short to hate the job I do.

1. Diarise
2. Union rep
3. Board of governors

OR leave

You mentioned that you've raised this with SLT and they agree but haven't done anything about it. Could YOU do something about it? If you put together a solid plan for putting these missing processes in place, would you have SLT's support to raise at next staff meeting and make clear this is how it should be done from now on?

Decide which thing is giving you the biggest headache and tackle that first.

Even if you still want to leave, it would give you some great examples of being proactive, leading change, improving processes etc. to use in future job interviews.

If I leave without a role to go to, how do I explain the gap in my employment and why I left without it looking like I'm
bad mouthing them.

Re the staff meetings, I’m not involved, just teaching staff and SLT. Apparently it’s always been like this. SLT have spoken to staff and sent emails but they still don’t complete the registers. I’ve not known this in a school before - I thought it was a legal requirement that teachers take the class registers.