Good on ya,' tiggersmum Anyone who can focus on the positive deserves a

Thank you cazzie. It just makes me so cross that some people seem to think they have the right to undermine other peoples self confidence and self esteem. I am also a firm believer that what goes round, comes round.

And I've got a sneeky feeling that when things do come round and bit her in the old proverbial 'butt' you will (like all of us) will undoubtably feel sorry for her cause we all know what it feels like to be humiliated (and in essence defeated). Trouble is she'll probably pick up quicker than we would and start the process all over again on some other poor soul.

If anyone has read any postings I've put on I hope that they would have got a general sense that I enjoy my job. Well, I'm sorry to say not anymore.

Since, I've been back I've been sensing an undercurrent of something that isn't nice and its been aimed at me. I thought I had left this sort of behaviour behind when I left full-time education as a teenager.

I only had limited contact with this member of staff last year. I didn't even go into the classroom with them, so I can't understand what I have done that is causing them to blank me at any opportunity - the turning away when you walk in the staffroom, not saying hello anymore etc.

If that wasn't bad enough, I had another member of the school team be exceedingly dismissive towards me, to the extent of being darn right rude - say it as I see it sort of person, which is another way of saying having no manners.

In all the years I have been working I have never come across anything like this.

So, the questions are - stick it out? or move on?

Well daisycat only you can decide cause your the one going through it!

Personally I'd stick it out. They are the one's with the issues, you're doing your job. After a while they will probable focus their attention on some other poor soul. If this doesn't appeal, try the direct approach, 'Have I done something to offend...etc' or ' Have you got a problem with how I work...' If this doesn't work try asking someone if they have any ideas what's going on.
Think long and hard before you jack your job in cause you've worked
bl*!dy hard to get there! Why should you go!

Thanks Cazzie, you're right. I have thought about it and decided to give it a chance as I've never had this problem before in the six years I've been doing the job. I know that some of the staff are under a lot of pressure this term and changes are afoot. I'm going to keep my headdown, get on with my job, chat with the other TAs and the teachers I work with, - who I do have very good working relationship with.

I think what really bugs me is the intrege and political manouevring thats going on, it ends up that the element of trust goes and the working together - ECM etc.

At my place they score brownie points (who is HTs' pet this week). The bitching is all behind backs. It is laughable. They get people into bother to make themselves look good.

Well, another day done and can't say it is improving. I can only think that there is so much change that everyone is worried about their positions and as such can't wait to point out other people who they think aren't doing the job, even if its nothing to do with them. Faculties seem to be watching other faculties and trying to score points etc. Not a nice atmosphere to be working in.

As OH said go in, do your job and come home. Don't get involved. So I'm not going to 'get involved', so why is it me that walks round the corner and finds a child bunking out of class - can't ignore it, so then I deal with it and then I believe I'm being seen as over stepping my position of a lowely TA. So, I shall go to my faculty, have my tea breaks and lunch there and go home. Thereby not getting involved.

Hard to do I know but the best policy!!!

Oh dear not a good start for you.The other thing to do is point out the positives in people.If you start it others may follow.I have had times when I have felt like leaving and make my self scarce at lunchtimes for a while until it blows over.Go for a walk, nip to a local cafe with another TA, find a quiet corner.If nothing else it makes you feel protected and out of the unpleasantness.

It is getting better. I do wonder if everyone is stressed in the first few weeks after the summer break. Went to meeting and member of staff there so I was a bit wary, just sat and listened and only spoke when called upon, they even acknowledged I was right in my observations. Phew, looks as if its getting better thank goodness.