Career in Teaching - But which year??

[AlwaysTheMummy]

After a lot of soul searching and looking at past threads on mn, I am currently doing a degree to become a primary school teacher.

But I have no idea which year/age to teach.

Can anyone give me some idea about teaching different ages so that I can make a decision.

And of course, if you want to add anything else which you think might be helpful - even if it's bad news - that would be great.

Thanks in advance xx

[AbbeyA]

Which ones have you worked with? The big difference is between Key Stage 1 and 2. Reception and Year 1 are lovely but hard work (I think they are the most difficult)and you have to allow forever to get changed for PE! You have to help with buttons, shoes etc and can spend ages finding which child has put on the wrong pair of trousers!
Further up they can do much more for themselves but by year 6 can become big fish in a small pond! I prefer year 3 or 4 but that is just personal choice.

[juneybean]

I personally would feel under a lot of pressure in Year 2 or 6 because of SATs! I'd worry my kiddies would get poor marks

[HonorMatopoeia]

I can recommend Year 4. Old enough to have a bit of a laugh with but they know when to stop. Also, no major SAT's pressure.

[clam]

Well, most schools move staff around every couple of years, if they possibly can, to vary everyone's experience and so you don't get stale. So you're unlikely to be choosing one year-group to commit to for life.

[clam]

I've taught every year group from Year 2 to Year 6 (dipping a toe - very briefly - into Year 1) and you soon find your comfort zone. For me it is definitely Yrs 5 & 6, but I have many friends and colleagues who shudder at the thought. Personally I can't cope with being tapped and prodded by the younger ones - but they do love you, however grumpy you get, which is very humbling.

[billybass]

I have taught nursery,year4, year5 and all secondary.Workload is awful in every group!Kids are always great though!You will have to move around whether in primary or secondary.This gives you all round experience and a wide knowledge of the curriculum.Good luck