Return to teaching, full time, in Y6?

[linzimummy]

I currently teach part time in a job share in lower KS2. I have 1.5 days off to look after my kids who are 2 & 4. I have been offered full time from Sept in Y6. I am considering it as we need the money & I would love to do Y6 & I am thinking its a good career move as I would eventually like to move in to leadership.

However, I am concerned about the increased workload & particularly the marking & assessment pressures of Y6.

I guess I am asking how other full time teacher mums manage? And how doable is the workload of Y6 with little ones at home?

My eldest will be at the school I teach and my youngest already goes to nursery 3.5 days so he will extend to 5 full days. He will be 3 by then.

I would like to do it - for me - but I can't decide if this is going to be detrimental to my family & the time we have together.

Would love thoughts of other mummy's and any teacher mums esp. Y6.

[QueenofLouisiana]

I teach yr5, I work full time but 1 day a week is management time. I mark until quite late each night, 9.45 isn't unusual. I know my yr6 colleague works later hours than me.

However, I'd rather that than younger children! EYFS and KS1 have my utmost respect.

[cariadlet]

I work full time (KS1 so can't comment on the marking workload for Year 6) and in some ways it was easy when my dd was small.

When she was little I could get home, do her tea/bath/bed routine and then start my planning and marking etc once she was in bed). As she's got older, her bedtime has got later and I find that I'm working later and later into the evening.

[Minispringroll]

I'm in Y6 at the moment, but I'm moving down to LKS2 for two terms. (Back in Y6 next year...) For me, it's a bit of a break and I'm really looking forward to it. Don't get me wrong. I really like teaching Year 6, but it's relentless and the workload at my current school is insane. (I do about 70-80 hours a week. Have taught Y6 at other schools before and it's never been this manic. Still usually about 50-60 hours per week...) We don't have children, yet and I guess, I'd have to be more organised and strict with myself, if we did. At my previous school, the head would kindly keep you out of Y6 if you were pregnant or had small children.

Have a chat with your school's current Y6 teacher to find out how much they have to do and how they cope. It really depends on the school.

[spanieleyes]

Haven't you heard? Year 6 teachers are all too lazy/thick to teach the new curriculum or simply can't be bothered. Children in Year 6 are either over prepared for SATs or not prepared enough, they spend too much time on trying to teach the basics or don't spend enough! They are crammed to bursting before SATS and then sit around doing nothing for 2 months.
Who'd be a year 6 teacher

[ohthegoats]

I did 7 years in year 6, and have gone back after mat leave to a year 4/5 class (with significant behavioural problems I should add)... I know for sure that I couldn't do the year 6 workload and thought processes this year. I'm too sleep deprived. I don't think I can get away with slacking off this year, but the pressure definitely isn't as great.

[buildalegohouse]

I moved to year 6 for the first time in September after returning back from maternity leave. I absolutely love it but the pressures are immense. 3 days a week I put DD to bed and then get up to to a couple of hours marking/prep.
This weekend I spent 5 hours marking and assessing independent writing

[TeenAndTween]

spaniel My DD's y6 teacher is lovely, and doing a great job (albeit under difficult circumstances).

[linzimummy]

Thank you for your replies. I've spoken to our Y6 teachers and from the sounds of it, the workload is fairly similar to what I do now. I am really lucky to have a brilliant Head and Deputy who are really supportive. I'm going to give it a go!