Tough School

manda · #1 (**permalink**) 30-04-2008, 05:24 PM

I've just been asked by my agency to do two days cover at a "tough school" (their words) Now I'm really worried.
Has anyone got any
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s or suggestions to help me through the day?

NuttySupplier · #2 (**permalink**) 30-04-2008, 05:30 PM

Bottle of water in your bag, alongside the paracetamol and chocolate!

Which key stage?
Arrive in plenty of time, ask the other staff about the school and the behaviour policy, learn the names of the people you can send naughty kids to and befriend any support staff you will have.

Make sure you have something nice planned for the two evenings, something to look forward to!!

ruby_tuesday · #3 (**permalink**) 30-04-2008, 06:45 PM

Alternatively, you could just say no!

Sorry, probably not very helpful! But if you're worried, don't put yourself through it.

manda · #4 (**permalink**) 30-04-2008, 06:54 PM

its ks3 & ks4 Nutty, thanks for the advice.

Ruby thanks for your reply, i thought about saying no but i need the money.

NuttySupplier · #5 (**permalink**) 30-04-2008, 06:59 PM

Never done past Y7, but...

Don't try and be too
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, too down with it, too over confident, too friendly, just be firm, fair and don't ask 'please could you sit down', just expect! Make sure you stick to your guns, and if things aren't going your way, make sure you aren't afraid to get help from other members of staff. If you do a day and don't want to do the second day, don't, you can get a good enough wage from wor
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at Tesco!!!

manda · #6 (**permalink**) 01-05-2008, 06:15 AM

Thanks for those
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s and suggestions nutty, I' beinning to wish that i had said no, but anyway I'll see how it goes and let you all know later

manda · #7 (**permalink**) 01-05-2008, 05:06 PM

I've had the worst morning I ever thought possible, 3 classes of disruptive, rude totally disrespectful 12 and 13 year olds.
When I first got there I was told the classes were fine, some of the better ones apparently, only to be told later that they were a nightmare by someone else.
I got a teaching assistant who took over and talked over the top of me everytime i tried to speak to the class. In my ind if the TA doesn't respect you there is no way the kids will.
I followed the school's behavioiur policy, which did nothing. In fact by 12 I had such a bad headache I came home, rang the agency, told them I wasn't going back to that school and that I wanted to just do TA work as I dont feel that I am ready to cover lessons in a school this challenging.
The only high point today was tal
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to the agency, they were so supportive it really cheered me up. They were brilliant with me, kept telling me not to worry and saying that they would sort some TA work out for me tomorrow.

I hope things get better now. I feel really low, like I've given up.

NuttySupplier · #8 (**permalink**) 01-05-2008, 05:49 PM

You've not given up though, you've just stood your ground and not accepted what we shouldn't have to accept! I have the highest regard for anyone who can walk into a secondary school as a supply teacher, nerves of steel - I hate just ta
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my KS2 kids there to see the Christmas show etc! I also wish I could walk out of somewhere when I'd had enough. I walked out of school today spectacularly as I'd had enough - it was about 5:40pm though, and no-one was around to see!
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Just don't ever go to that school again, not even on TA work! And did you take my advice and have something nice planned for tonight?? Hope so.
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ruby_tuesday · #9 (**permalink**) 01-05-2008, 07:05 PM

Really sorry to hear you've had such a tough day. Don't let that put you off teaching though, you are a qualified teacher not a TA. I know you probablly need the money but only accept bookings for schools you are not worried about going to work in. As Nutty said, Tesco always need staff. I'm not saying don't teach, but maybe have a fall back option to bring in some money until you have built up a bank of schools you enjoy going to work in and where you get some respect.

As Nutty said, do something nice and treat yourself. And well done for walking away, absolutely right. You don't have to put up with that.

manda · #10 (**permalink**) 01-05-2008, 08:37 PM

Thanks Nutty, Trust me I will never be going there again for any reason.

Ruby, I'm not a qualified teacher yet, thats partly why I'm annoyed, the agency knew that I didn't have much experience and they still sent me to a school they knew was going to be bad!

Anyway by doing the TA work I'll be able to watch and learn how the teacher handles behaviour problem, i think it'll be good for me in the long run. It wont put me off teaching though I just need a bit more experience and loads of training!

To finish the day off nicely though I had a lovely long
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and my husband cooked the tea and of course a big bar of chocolate!

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