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NQT giving in resignation and would like some advice about notice etc

Last post 05/02/12 at 13:33 by James_Williams, 8 replies
Post started by King_fisher on 19/04/10 at 16:22

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  • King_fisher avatar
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    Posted by: King_fisher 19/04/2010 at 16:22
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     Dear James and all who read this, 

     I am an NQT who is currently signed off by the doctor for stress and depression.  I have completed 2 terms and failed both, due to a number of reasons caused by stress of work, long hours, an unhelpful mentor, personal circumstances and family issues.  I have decided after much thought and with immense relief to hand in my resignation.  However,  I do not know the protocol for this and wonder how much notice I have to give?  I have heard of 'early release' from a contract and wonder what this is?  How would I go about asking for this?  Do I need to contact my Union first?

     As I said before, I am currently signed off sick  - should I send in my letter of resignation to the Headteacher or wait to meet with the induction tutor  - even if I have already made up my mind?  I obviously am thinking about the students too and the quicker I can get the ball rolling then I believe the better off we will all be as well as for my own peace of mind too.  As I really feel that I cannot make any positive steps to make myself feel better until I get on with this.

     

    I would really really really apreciate any ideas/comments/thoughts on this.

     

    Thanks!

     

     
  • PinkRuby avatar
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    Posted by: PinkRuby 19/04/2010 at 16:32
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     I think you should contact your union regional office and get them to support you - you need to negotiate with your school, rather than just hand in your resignation, to give you the best chance o securing employment in another school should you decide to apply for other posts.

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    Posted by: Sillow 19/04/2010 at 19:37
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    Just remember, you can't fail until the very end of your NQT year. It's entirely possible to be flagged as needing more support in terms 1 and 2 and then pass term 3. The school should be giving extra support and specific objectives for observations to help you to meet the standards.
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    Posted by: jubilee 19/04/2010 at 21:07
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    You MUST contact your Union for advice a.s.a.p.

    Normally they would negotiate an early release for you, so that you left before they could make a final verdict on your Induction.  If you don't complete the third Induction term, they can't Fail you overall and you'd be free to start term 3 again elsewhere.

    You also need to consider whether it's possible to hand in your notice in the normal way (by 31st May) to leave officially at the end of August. This supposes that you stay on sick leave and have more than 30 days off in total in your Induction year.  In such circumstancs, they would be unable to sign off your Induction. 

    If you wanted to have a final go at turning things around and felt able to return to work, you could then seek an early release if the school continued to say that you were not on target to meet the standards.  You might also go back on  paid sick leave as you acquire a new, longer, entitlement for a new absence after 1st or 6th April. 

    Let the Union guide you and get their advice on the exact wording of any resignation letter.
  • James_Williams avatar
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    Posted by: James_Williams 19/04/2010 at 23:19
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    Hi

    Sorry that you are off ill. You must get specialist advice and help from your union. Contact them and explain your circumstances. Your union rep can help to negotiate an early release from your contract if that is the best way forward for you.

    Any decisions you make must be in your interests as well as the school's and the pupils'. You are important and so is your health and welfare. You need objective advice. Do this now.

    James
  • axm088 avatar
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    Posted by: axm088 20/04/2010 at 19:20
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    I was able to negotiate an early release from my contract while signed off with stress and depression. I knew my mental health was suffering during my NQT year, and wanted to do what was best for the children I was teaching (and my sanity). I spoke to Teacher Support Network first for support, and then contacted my union for advice. You need to speak to your local union rep if you have decided to leave teaching, as they may have had dealings with your school before and can explain the different options available to you. My local union rep offered to sit in on any meetings with the headteacher, if needed. I decided against a meeting and rang the headteacher instead. I explained I felt that I was unable to come back to the school and complete my induction year there due to the stress/anxiety. He realised I wanted an early release from my contract and accepted my notice with immediate effect. I had to write a letter to the governors confirming my request for early release, and they agreed to this a few days later. The school were able to get a permanent replacement for me, and stopped having pay for me and a supply teacher! I have been able to take some time out, get my weekends/evenings back and still have the option of returning to teaching at a later date. Good luck, and hope you feel better soon!
  • pelagie avatar
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    Posted by: pelagie 01/02/2012 at 20:09
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     Hi all and it's good to hear people in similar situations as mine.

    Thank you axm088 for your reasuring post. 

    I am an NQT and I've been off on stress for 2 consecutive periods of 2 weeks. The school I work at is challenging and has had the better of me.

    The principal has requested a meeting tomorrow morning, I'm hoping to negotiate my resignation with immediate effect. 

    I completed my first term and the induction coordinator ticked the ' Normal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} This NQT is making limited progress towards meeting the induction standards.'

    I'm hoping that the school will grant me an extension for finishing my induction at a later stage, in a different school.  

    Is there a chance that the school could refuse to grant me the 1st term?  Altough the report is on the LEA website, the principal and the induction coordinator have not signed it off.

    My biggest fear is that the school refuses my resignation with immediate effect. As I feel unable to face 3 months of resignation period I would end up being signed off for longer, surely that can't be the best option for the children, the school or myself... 

    I have contacted my Union rep who would not hear of my decision to resign and gave me advise on seeking help from the school. I did that and the school did offer to help but I feel it's too late now. I'm terrified of going back into my classroom and teach the same kids again after such a long period of absence. My confidence has dissapeared and I feel unable to cope with the school's daily demands.

    I would appreciate any advice on that.

     
  • theedudicator avatar
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    Posted by: theedudicator 02/02/2012 at 10:47
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    I left during my NQT year, and I had problems at home and mental health issues to. I didn't resign though, and you shouldn't either. Follow that union advice and do not resign, really it's the best thing to do. If you are really very ill you shouldn't be going back in anyway, and should be off sick, so no need to worry about teaching the same kids.

    It's important you don't resign for as it gives you the best chance of getting back into things in the future, and it forces the unsupportive school you're in to pick up it's own mess rather than you just roll over and leave. Message me if you want any more advice, I like helping people out as it happened to me as well.
  • James_Williams avatar
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    Posted by: James_Williams 05/02/2012 at 13:33
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     Rather than try to get through this on your own, you must seek help and advice and take note of what that advice is. Your union can help and the school should also involve occupational health as it may well be that with proper support you can make a return to the classroom. You must also talk to your GP and take advice from him/her.

    James

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