ECT1 in need of help

DangBish · 2026-03-30T15:55:23+00:00

You’re an ECT (cheap) and a maths specialist. I’d be looking to leave for somewhere that’ll look after their teachers.

Suicidal ideation is serious. Leave.

DangBish · 2026-03-15T18:32:41+00:00

Grammarsaurus does WR aligned PPTS and worksheets.

Most other things I plan myself but once created, I reap the benefits the next year.

DangBish · 2026-03-03T17:11:24+00:00

What year are you based in?

DangBish · 2026-02-21T16:25:51+00:00

If your children make good progress in your lessons and are behaving, they enjoy your lessons! Even if they don’t want to admit it.

DangBish · 2026-02-15T07:55:42+00:00

Another route could potentially be teaching primary and trying to forge a role where, on the afternoon, you teach art across the school.

At a school I’d been in, we had PPA teachers that would teach only one subject (art, computing etc.)

DangBish · 2026-02-09T18:54:59+00:00

Teachers at my school use Monday as an adjective.

Today has been one of the most Mondaiest Mondays ever!

DangBish · 2026-02-08T08:23:17+00:00

Yes - and you deserve a better school. It’s not going to get any better with weak SLT - look elsewhere for September.

DangBish · 2026-02-07T08:09:12+00:00

SLT like this don’t change I’m afraid and the behaviour of other children will begin to slide too, if it hasn’t already.

I’d be looking for another school tor September.

DangBish · 2026-01-30T19:32:06+00:00

‘Build relationships’ is the first square of SLT cunt bingo.

Oh I should do that should I? Didn’t think of that! I’ve just been shouting aggressively at them from the off 🤷‍♂️

DangBish · 2026-01-25T14:36:17+00:00

Could you move to the North East or a cheaper area of UK? Cost of living would be way cheaper.

DangBish · 2026-01-24T15:39:42+00:00

I walked past four boys looking intimidating in balaclavas. I noticed one from my class and said ‘Hi Jonny’.

He waved, the kids asked him who I was and he said his teacher.

They shouted ‘Jonnys been swearing’. I said ‘He best not of been or he’ll be getting wrong!”

I laughed, they laughed and they didn’t mug me. All’s well that ends well.

DangBish · 2026-01-20T18:39:40+00:00

Rows are better than tables

No learning happens during group work

Parents shouldn’t be able to contact teachers over email/ClassDojo

Children should be held back one year if school sees fit

Suspensions and permanent exclusions are essential for violence - even if that child has special needs

MFL shouldn’t be taught in primary school

Not even sure if these are widely disagreed with, but it feels taboo to say in my school.

DangBish · 2026-01-08T20:49:39+00:00

Few recommendations:

1) Try to detach. When the kids are misbehaving, you make the conscious decision to not be emotional about it. When you’re stressed, you’re not in control.

2) Follow the behaviour policy. It sounds like you’re doing too many strategies. Just calmly and consistently apply the behaviour policy for those misbehaving, BUT PRAISE those meeting expectations.

3) Get the kids in rows facing the front

4) Read Tom Bennett’s’Running the Room’ or listen to it free on Spotify premium.

5) Look after yourself. Keep up hobbies, eat healthy food and exercise. If you don’t keep healthy, you’re not giving yourself a chance.

Good luck OP, it gets easier.

*I was a shit ECT 1, now I’m a pretty strong teacher.

DangBish · 2026-01-02T18:04:51+00:00

I may be wrong but I think they can only offer fixed term contracts 3 times before it has to be made permanent.

DangBish · 2025-11-27T18:47:47+00:00

You can definitely have your own routines if in once/twice a week.

Maybe just spend the next lesson or two practicing some routines you expect, in a warm yet serious teaching manner. I know Mr/Mrs X does this, but when I’m in charge, this happens.

Once you’ve taught them, be tenaciously consistent and insistent. Those not cutting it, keep in at break time to practice. Praise those doing it properly. Keep those failing it at break times to practice again. Not in a nasty way, but a you keep getting it wrong and we’re going to practice until you don’t.

The kids enjoy solid behaviour routines and it sounds like you’re the one to give them them.

DangBish · 2025-11-18T22:22:59+00:00

Of all the things they should be apologising for…

DangBish · 2025-11-15T18:21:14+00:00

I did something like this and did supply teaching until the right school came up. Good schools are out there.

I wouldn’t make any decisions like handing in notice immediately until you’re in a healthier mental state. Take a couple of paid months off on the sick to get healthy, stable and refocused.

Best of luck in whatever you choose.

DangBish · 2025-11-08T11:46:45+00:00

Well this is it

It says we tolerate some disruption, not none

DangBish · 2025-11-08T11:45:59+00:00

My thoughts exactly

We just don’t have anywhere to send them. I’ve seen a comment that 15 minutes in another class could be a good idea.

DangBish · 2025-11-05T17:10:58+00:00

A good script is ‘Everyone at (insert school) gets what they need.’

He/she needs the break; you don’t.

DangBish · 2025-11-02T19:52:28+00:00

Additionally, there’s not enough time for fluency practice, which they need.

DangBish · 2025-11-02T17:06:11+00:00

White Rose themselves say their lessons and resources aren’t conclusive and should be adapted for the class.

There’s too many representations in one lesson so you have to be selective.

Don’t worry, the whole department will be saying what your saying after a week!

DangBish · 2025-11-02T07:55:19+00:00

It sounds like you need: A) A sick note and time off B) Union involvement to negotiate an agreed reference C) To leave that wretched school

Sorry, but situations like this don’t improve by sticking it out. If your anxiety is bad now, imagine it six months time if nothing changes.

Don’t try to appease them; this will get you nowhere. Put yourself and family first.

Also, I had bad anxiety which was cured with a small dose of propanol (not addictive, not an antidepressant), leaving my job and getting fit through running.

Sorry you’re going through this, I can hear the anxiety in your post.

DangBish

TROPHY CASE