My Abusive Ex

Chapter 11

There were difficulties at work too. Jane was still absent. It appeared she had some kind of auto immune disease and she lost all of her energy and became housebound. The hospital were trialling different medications, but each one took a while to kick and it was pretty much guess work for most of the time.

School got the dreaded OFSTED call and people were flying round like headless chickens. Books that weren't marked suddenly needed marking, files needed sorting, lesson plans needed to be written and perfect lessons needed planning for the following day. The sense of panic set in and people were openly talking about staying in school until 8pm.

I felt kind of guilty leaving at 4.30pm, but I had children at home and they take priority. I do my very best, I work hard and there's not much more I can do. But of course, this isn't my permanent job and so it doesn't impact me like it impacts everyone else.

As expected, everyone was in school bright and early the following day. The HOD had brought a table of food to try and create a positive atmosphere, but staff were really quite stressed.

David, who was now Acting Head of KS3, whilst Jane was absent, was such an organised person. Truly. But he was another one flapping. He's been up all night making and adapting PowerPoints and worksheets, but good enough he made everything available for us all, if we wanted it.

I had an inspector come through one of my Y7 lessons. He came in towards the end and only stayed about ten minutes. We were in the middle of a discussion and students were answering questions. I didn't think there was much he had seen as he literally walked in, sat down, stayed a while then up and left.

All observed teachers were invited in to one-on-one meetings with inspectors who had observed him. I can't tell you how shocked I was to see such a detailed and in-depth report from him. He must be a ninja inspector because in the short time he was there he managed to observe a number of books.

I must say he was highly complementary of the class and my teaching. He talked about the level the children were at and how my line of questioning far exceeded that level. He was impressed with the use of language and vocabulary used in my classroom and how well the students responded. He could see I set high expectations and how their work had improved over time. I was most proud when he commented on the positive relationship I had with my class. For me that's the most important aspect of teaching.

The teachers who were observed all had fantastic feedback, but the SLT of the school were absolutely hammered. When the Head Teacher called a whole school meeting following the two-day inspection, he advised us that the school's rating had dropped from Requires Improvement' to 'Inadequate'. And he was, with immediate effect, retiring.

Shock waves went about the school. Staff had worked so hard and if the inspection had been based on classroom practice, the rating would have improved to 'Good'. But those upstairs had not done their job and shock waves went through the community.

Some of our best students were pulled out and many parents were absolutely furious. Of course, they all blamed the teachers and some truly nasty emails were received by staff. The local education department quickly brought in a new management team and the hope was to calm the school community and begin building back up to a positive follow up report.

The Deputy Head, who had an office opposite my classroom, would walk up and down the corridors like he was counting steps. He looked particularly worried, I suppose he realised how vulnerable he was. I couldn't tell you if he was a nice guy, a good guy, a not so good guy, as I'd never had a conversation with him. Despite being at the school long term, he had no idea what my name was and would refer to me as 'the supply teacher'.

I didn't hold much hope for him, he was a little strange. He was the kind of person who those who knew him would say 'he lives on another planet', we used to laugh at stories the HOD would share about meetings she attended where he was present. He'd say the most absurd things in meetings and her jaw would drop open, we all wondered how on earth he managed to get promoted all the way to Deputy.