Dear Sara

I am an NQT at a special school. I am very unhappy in my current role, and fear that the standards that U have to work on depend on other people, and so are partially out of my control. I need to develop my relationships with the LSPs in my class, which is proving quite difficult. I feel quite out of my depth, as I simply do not know how to teach my class, and feel as though I'm constantly under scrutiny by my class team. They all have years of experience with the children, yet one of them seems to expect me to know precisely what to do at all times. One of my colleagues completed her NQT last year, and we have discussed the situation. Although she has struggled with the issues of managing a team, she had the benefit of her LSPs leading the majority of lessons during her first term. This enabled her to learn from them, and feel more confident in facilitating their methods. My team do not lead any lessons (aside from PE), and look at me as 'the teacher' and therefore don't even offer to lead for me. If I was in a mainstream setting with one member of support staff, I would not anticipate such support - but given the situation, I feel I should be supported more.

As it stands, I want to leave. However, I am worried of the implications of this, especially with regard to my NQT year. I completed my first term successfully, but fear that I will be 'at risk' unless things drastically improve with one member of staff. It seems unfair that the conduct of one woman will ruin my chances of being a success. I want to return to mainstream asap.

I was offered a position at a mainstream school, but was given very little time to decide - I anticipated I would have at least 24 hours, but this was not the case. I felt that I would need a break (even one working day would've helped!) before changing schools. It was also only a fixed term contract, so was concerned that I would have to be dealing with a hectic situation. Having to look for a new post as soon as I started at a new school would have been a nightmare!

As it stands, my LEA advisor and Union rep believe that I have chosen to stay because I want to - but actually, it's because I didn't want the option that was offered. The pressure was immense, and I feel that it was unfair to expect me to make the decision so quickly. Everyone is focused on my revised goals for the term, but I simply do not believe I am in the right place anymore. I am concerned that I am specialising too early, and it will be tremendously difficult to move to mainstream if I leave the situation as it stands - if I fail my second term, I feel that no other employer will consider me (that is the impression I have been given by my LEA advisor).

In an ideal world, I would hand in my notice and take time to visit schools and apply for jobs. I would take supply work for the remainder of the academic year, and pray that I would be accepted by another school for September. However, I do not have the support of my family - they would perceive that I had failed.

Any advice you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

dragonfly

 

I am an NQT at a special school. I am very unhappy in my current role, and fear that the standards that U have to work on depend on other people, and so are partially out of my control. I need to develop my relationships with the LSPs in my class, which is proving quite difficult. I feel quite out of my depth, as I simply do not know how to teach my class, and feel as though I'm constantly under scrutiny by my class team. They all have years of experience with the children, yet one of them seems to expect me to know precisely what to do at all times. One of my colleagues completed her NQT last year, and we have discussed the situation. Although she has struggled with the issues of managing a team, she had the benefit of her LSPs leading the majority of lessons during her first term. This enabled her to learn from them, and feel more confident in facilitating their methods. My team do not lead any lessons (aside from PE), and look at me as 'the teacher' and therefore don't even offer to lead for me. If I was in a mainstream setting with one member of support staff, I would not anticipate such support - but given the situation, I feel I should be supported more.

As it stands, I want to leave. However, I am worried of the implications of this, especially with regard to my NQT year. I completed my first term successfully, but fear that I will be 'at risk' unless things drastically improve with one member of staff. It seems unfair that the conduct of one woman will ruin my chances of being a success. I want to return to mainstream asap.

I was offered a position at a mainstream school, but was given very little time to decide - I anticipated I would have at least 24 hours, but this was not the case. I felt that I would need a break (even one working day would've helped!) before changing schools. It was also only a fixed term contract, so was concerned that I would have to be dealing with a hectic situation. Having to look for a new post as soon as I started at a new school would have been a nightmare!

As it stands, my LEA advisor and Union rep believe that I have chosen to stay because I want to - but actually, it's because I didn't want the option that was offered. The pressure was immense, and I feel that it was unfair to expect me to make the decision so quickly. Everyone is focused on my revised goals for the term, but I simply do not believe I am in the right place anymore. I am concerned that I am specialising too early, and it will be tremendously difficult to move to mainstream if I leave the situation as it stands - if I fail my second term, I feel that no other employer will consider me (that is the impression I have been given by my LEA advisor).

In an ideal world, I would hand in my notice and take time to visit schools and apply for jobs. I would take supply work for the remainder of the academic year, and pray that I would be accepted by another school for September. However, I do not have the support of my family - they would perceive that I had failed.

Any advice you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

dragonfly

 

Just replied on your other thread x

 

My!! I have just read your post, and find myself in a very similar situation!
I'm an NQT in a special school, and I want to move to mainstream! I have similar issue with TAs.
I'm also in a Year 9 class, when I trained in reception and Yr 2.
I know you posted this message ages ago, but I wondered how you are getting on now? Did you move back to mainstream? Did you have a problem finding a job having done part of your NQT year in a special school?
Any help gratefully appreciated!
Emzie361