Story 74

Age: 27

Teaching Experience: 2-4 years

Contract Type: Casual Supply (through calls, emails, teacherbooker etc)

Completed probationary year august 2021 to June 2022. Interviewed at supply pool interviews and scored 11/12. After several months of waiting on an outcome. I was told I was unsuccessful for a job.

Got a call late August 2022 to be offered a fixed term position for one year. Went to the school. It was quite a bouncy class and very tricky. Unfortunately I didn’t feel I was getting support as a newly qualified teacher after probationary year. It took a toll on my mental health.

I got medical support and was given a sick line to reset myself. Returned after 2 weeks and was determined to keep going and trying and was also put on a support plan. This made me doubt my abilities in being able to teach and if I was even a good teacher. Confidence was knocked.

Was then given a 4 week notice period because of a census report stating the school was over staffed and the scenario is “last in, first out.”Was offered another school from HR to which I accepted but was expected to leave the school with one day notice.

Headteacher at the time refused because of handover required and reports needing done. Lost that opportunity.

Got to the last day of my 4 week notice. Luckily got another school. Went there and didn’t continue with my support plan. Restored my faith in my ability to teach.Again completed the supply pool interviews. Scored only 8/12 so I knew there was no chance of a job giving what had happened the year prior. Again took a toll on my mental health, was angry, hurt and upset with myself.

Was added to the supply list. Again luckily I got some work from 30/8/23 to October break before I went on maternity leave. Again luckily because I had completed one year service through my fixed term I got maternity pay. Completed KIT days in the school I was in before maternity.Seeked advice on continuous service because it was made known if two years service was completed unbroken you could apply for permanency at your local authority. Received an email to say because I didn’t have work between 14.08.23-29.08.23 my service was restarted on the day I started work which was 30.08.23.

My service was restarted because of ONE day!!

A headteacher had kept in touch with me because she was aware of a position going in her school beginning August 2024. HR had told her previously she could have whoever she wants. Hence why contact was made. So a provisional offer was on the table. I still spent time applying for the proposed pool interviews this year which then got cancelled and called off due to lack of job opportunities.The provisional offer on the table was then taken off of the hands of the headteacher to give to a permanent supply member of staff.

I then decided I couldn’t handle the uncertainty of supply with now 3 children and a mortgage so have returned to my previous role of an early years practitioner in the private sector where I am being paid just above national minimum wage. However to even get to this it has taken roughly 45 applications and 7 interviews later to then be offered a job.

The way it makes me feel is angry and hurt because I feel I put my family through so much to become a teacher and thought I was going to be able to give them a good life and now it just feels like it’s been a waste of time. I put so much time and energy into become a teacher and now it’s like the goal is so far out of reach.

This has had the biggest effect on my mental health. It has impacted my home life massively.

I have written to the local MP and put a complaint in to the local authority over unfair recruitment…Someone who qualified the same year as me was kept “under the wing” of a headteacher for two years through PEF money and now has a permanent contract so the recruitment in my eyes is unfair.

Also the council were only seeking out denominational only staff this year and I’ve since found out that non denominational staff chanced their luck with it and still received interviews despite the fact it said in black and white catholic training certificate must be provided.

Again unfair recruitment!!

I also worked for the council I am on the supply list for before doing my teaching degree as an early years practitioner for one year. It just makes me feel that loyalty isn’t getting me anywhere.

I review my story and know I have been lucky to have even got some work but now in my new role I just feel like I’m constantly having an inner battle with myself 🙁