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Help! Should I quit and do supply? Or am I mad to risk it?

56 replies

Hulababy · 23/02/2004 15:36

I know this isn't going back to work but it is work-related.

As many of you know I am teacher of ICT at a secondary school. I teach part time (60%) 3 days a week. I have been teaching now for 7.5 years, and I am at the top of the main pay scale. The school I work at is not a good school and may infact finally fail its OFSTED this half term - it is currently in serious weaknesses.

I used to love teaching but now I feel so fed up, stressed and upset with it all and don't know what to do. I go back tomorrow after half term and can already feel myself getting worked up about it. The children on the whole are poorly behaved (in all classes, not just mine), there seems little respect from children and parents for education, senior management feedback/support seems limited at times, discpline policies are no longer working and since being in serious weaknesses things seem to be getting worse again (they did improve briefly at the start). So what should I do?

DD is at a great nursery near school and loves it. She is 22 months and not due to start school (near home) until September 2006. I had hoped that I could stick this school out until then and then come and do either part time (not many pt jobs about though) or supply teaching in and around Sheffield. But now I don't think I can stick it out. To make matters worse my very supportive HoD has told nme that he has no intention of staying beyond this year as he is so demorialised with it and he is looking elsewhere all the time.

Dh is a well paid solicitor, and we are financial well off. But I don't want to not work - I want to be able to maintain our currennt life style and we need to keep saving for DD's school fees.

Should I risk it all and quit this summer, and start supply early? My friend does primary supply near here and is never short of jobs, and certainly there seems to be no shortage of supply jobs from speaking to other people.

But is it too much of a risk? Is it worth moving DD to a new nursery? Would she settle okay? Would I get her into a nursery which was good? What happens if people aren't telling me the truth and I get less than 3 days work lots of times? Oh, what should I do?

This has gotten quite long and I am starting to feel horrible again about it all, so going to stop now. Not sure what to do or what I expect anyone to be able to do or help. I just need to sort this out in my head I guess.

What would you do?

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jampot · 23/02/2004 15:49

Hi Hulababy - my MIL was a deputy head for many years in an inner city Birmingham school. Like you she became demoralised (she also didn't get on with the head). In the end she quit her job and did supply work - she was never out of a job and earned huge amounts.
There is a mum at school who is a teacher and she approached the schools in the area which she would like to do supply at(I think 3) and she also has been kept very busy. Why don't you try and do that at the schools close by to your dd's nursery? Also no agency fee is a huge benefit to already stretched school budgets! Good Luck

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Hulababy · 23/02/2004 15:51

Thanks Jampot. That is pretty reassuring believe me

I may consider asking schools near home rather than nursery though - going direct to schools sounds good; didn't know you could do that. My current school is close to nursery and I really don't fancy having to do supply there I think I need to come back to Sheffield full stop if I do the supply route.

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BadHair · 23/02/2004 15:59

Hulababy, my friend is a primary teacher and did part time supply teaching after her ds was born. Like Jampots mil she's never been out of work and earns very nearly the same as she did full time.
Personally, I think that if your current job is causing you so much stress you should get out of it. If you find that supply teaching is not working out, you could always go back to a permanent school.
Why not leave dd in her current nursery, and if you find it a struggle to get her there, then look for something nearer. I wouldn't worry about it at this stage.
I hope you're able to sort this out. I know from personal experience that there's nothing worse than feeling trapped in a job.

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aloha · 23/02/2004 16:01

Leave! It will be best thing you ever did and you will be amazed you didn't do it earlier. Of course you will get lots of work. You've got nothing to lose and as you say, your dh can look after things will you build up your work. If you dd loves her nursery (lucky you, ds hates his - nightmare) then keep her there and see how it goes. Everything will be fine! Good luck

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Hulababy · 23/02/2004 16:05

Thanks guys. I think deep down I know I have to leave; just wanted to know I wasn't mad in doing it. The stress from this job is really aggrevating my heart problem recently and I can only see it getting worse.

But I will have to move DD. Nursery is a good 40-50 minutes drive away, espeically in morning traffic. If I do leave then I do have to move her too. She is very good though and maybe she will be fine. Shall have a good idea after this week anyway. Both her nursery nurse teachers from her room have left this half term so she gets two new girls this week anyway. And I suppose at this age she will make new firnds quickly.

I think I really need to sit down with DH and MAKE him realise just how bad things have got, don't I?

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tamum · 23/02/2004 16:07

Hulababy, I spent all my formative years with both parents feeling exactly as you describe. The cloud of gloom hanging over our house as the end of every school holiday approached was awful, believe me. In many ways you are so lucky- you have an alternative that means you can earn money and keep your hand in. You'll have your ear to the ground (I'm mixing my metaphors a bit here, it's beginning to sound like a game of Twister ) so you'll know if anything appealing comes up through your supply contacts. Definitely worth finding out if you can leave your dd where she is now.

Go for it!!!

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aloha · 23/02/2004 16:08

When you leave it will feel so fantastic you won't believe it! Good luck moving your dd - I think some children really love nursery as an institution and some don't - if she's happy where she is, I'm sure she'll be happy somewhere else, and it's only part time anyway.

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Hulababy · 23/02/2004 16:11

She only does nursery 2 days a week. The other day she goes to PIl so I need to speak to them and see if they would be okay with coming over to Sheffield to either pick her up or to spend the day here with her. They are pretty flexible though, and THB probably know how I am feeling more than most - I have my worse day of the week the day I go and pick DD up from them so they get my ranting and raving on a regular basis

I think I now need to do some research:

  1. local nurseries
  2. how I actually go about supply teaching???
  3. when I need to have made my decision by to ensure I don't miss the deadline for September if I do decide to go
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Twink · 23/02/2004 16:35

A friend's mum 'retired' from Primary teaching in the Barnsley area 2 years ago. She used to do 3 days a week but since starting supply work locally has NEVER been out of work, in fact quite the opposite & has often found she could do 5 days a week if she wanted.

Would Sheffield would come under the same LEA (or whatever they are called) ? I could always give her a ring if you've any questions.

Good luck, you know you are doing the right thing for you, your health & your family.

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hercules · 23/02/2004 16:47

Go for it.I'm going partime from Sept but will def do supply in a couple of years. Just think- no marking, reports, meetings, parents evenings, trips, tutor group, duty, paperwork, parents, assemblies etc etc etc

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Hulababy · 23/02/2004 16:50

The thought hercules .... I need a proper chat with DH; once our friend has left us tomorrow I guess.

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twiglett · 23/02/2004 18:25

message withdrawn

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popsycal · 23/02/2004 18:38

Oh Hula!
Come up north and we will do a job share!
My gut reaction for your situation is leave! But first talk to DH and discuss it all, as I am sure that you will anyway.

They are crying out for supply teachers - my only worry about supply is some of the dodgy schools that you get put into - but yours sounds hard going already so that might not be an issue!

There are lots of supply agencies - select is one. Some local authorties have a 'register' - worth ringing local education departments.

Give me a shout if you want to chat or moan - I have done it plenty in the past!

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sammac · 23/02/2004 18:46

Hulababy, when I left uni there were no jobs and I did supply for 2 years.

Good things are you see good schools where you think you would enjoy, and you know that if you're in a notso good one, then it's only for a short time. You may even find that you get offered long term in a place you like, and then who knows. And like everything else, you get better at it as you go along. Just make sure your supply bag is well stocked ( including your most essential thing- your mug!!)

Like popsy says, come up north, even tho' I'm further- we're 31st on the Glasgow list for a supply teacher to cover someone who's been off for 4 weeks. Like hello.... what about the children. They've been getting a bit of this one and that one.

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Mummysurfer · 23/02/2004 18:54

I'd check first that there will be enough supply for you. I do primary supply and in my authority there is very little. I know of one head who spent £84,000 on supply last fin. year but is aiming to spend nothing this year and he's pretty much on target. I know this varies greatly from one authority to another. But do double check.
Plus if your DD is only in nursery 3 days that limits your availability.

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Codandchips · 23/02/2004 19:01

H why do you think you wont get all the hassle supplying?

If you need the money you wont be able to pick and choose so much aand so you may have all the hassle you have at the moment PLUS supply teacher status in the eyes of hte kids.


I would give it up and be a sahm If I were you.. i did - best thing ever, give yourself a break!

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Hulababy · 23/02/2004 19:04

The type of school I get isn't an issue; my current school isn't good anyway!

I am pretty sure the supply work is there but I am going to phone some agencies and talk to them first. My friend regularly turns down jobs as she has so much offeredto her.

DD WILL have to move. I can't dsee the point in making such a big decision about this and then still have to drive DD over to Doncaster every day. Besides if she is in Sheffield too it gives me more freedom of where I can go. I am based right in the centre so can do all of Sheffield, into Rotherham and into Chesterfield.

I am also flexible with what I am willing to do. I have some experience of doing both primary (during my last school I did this once a week) and adult education (worked ina prison!), and I try to keep up to date with new schemes. I am willing do do training, and I have some experience with special needs ed too so can do supply there too. And I am willing to do supply for any subject, not just ICT.

I think I will phone some agencies for information, and get some details of local nurseries. Then me and Dh can sit down and work it out financially too.

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Codandchips · 23/02/2004 19:05

Ironic to have to work to save for a childs school fees really isnt it ?

woman over the road has gone back to work to pay for her son to go to a fee paying school and she hates it. Now the FINAL irony is(sorry off subject here) is that as her dh has been posted to the MOD ds will board at a school 2 miles away and WE (the tax payer are footing the bill!!)

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Codandchips · 23/02/2004 19:07

I am a governor and we are always looking for supply teachers we can noble as our own - may be worth sending your cv to schools you fancy and save them the money of the agencies.

you could do that in a flash

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Hulababy · 23/02/2004 19:09

Codandchips - I don't think I won't get hassle - but with supply I can walk away. And on top of the current hassle I won't have the same workload.

And, although I know it is very rewarding, being a SAH mum isn't the best solutoion for me either.

I may consider talking to my consultant about it too at my March appointment as my heart really can't deal with this extra stress.

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Moomin · 23/02/2004 19:10

It's something I've given a lot of thought to lately. In the end I've decided to stay put but that's mostly to with the fact that I love the school and the people I work with (except my HoD!).
If I were you I'd definitely jack it in at your present school. It would take huge changes and lots of time for the school to get better. I wouldn't worry too much about changing your dd's nursery either. You've given yourself plenty of time to get yourself and dd sorted for Sept, so take the plunge and get weaving!
When I was considering supply, my friend who's a Headteacher suggested to me that I choose a handful of schools that I knew had a good reputation and write them a letter and cv, well in advance of when you want to start. Most schools prefer employing supply themselves to cut their costs. You may even get short-term contracts this way as well, maybe even sometimes in your subject area. If this doesn't work, contact your local LEA, as some run their own agencies. Either way, you should definitely do it. Your quality of life will be so much better just not having to travel in, esp since you hate what's at the end of the journey.
BTW, we changed our dd's childcare last Sept when she was just 2 (2 days a week, like you) and she didn't look back. They're very adaptable at this age. Good luck!

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Codandchips · 23/02/2004 19:11

what do you think of the self promotion route? you could testt he waters fist...

Get the league tables and work down!!

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Hulababy · 23/02/2004 19:12

I know codandchips but DD's education is planned now for many reasons as it is. That is non-negotiable as far as we are concerned.

Don't get me wrong, financially I could give up and stay at home but it isn't what I want. It means giving up to much which I don't want to do.

And ultimately I want to teach in some way. And keep my skills going.

I hadn't thought of contacting schools directly but it has been mentioned twice now so I will look into that bit too.

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Moomin · 23/02/2004 19:13

Hulababy - our posts crossed. You MUST think about your health first. Be proactive about reducing your stress by not only changing your work situation but maybe trying some alternative stress-busting as well (massage, reflexology, acupuncture, etc.) I'm doing the 2nd one at the moment to help beat stess at work and help me conceive - maybe chat to your consultant about what would be suitable with your condition.

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Codandchips · 23/02/2004 19:13

you could get a cosy number - at the (then) gm school I was at they had certain regulars who came on the days that suited them and were very at home.(own mug and all!)

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