Anyone from HE to FE?

[familyfarm]

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone has moved from lecturing in HE to FE? I've been considering such a move because what I presume may be a more child friendly working patterns, with school holidays off. I'm an ECR btw.

Has anyone here got any experience of working in FE?

[gillybeanz]

I worked in FE and hardly saw the dc, especially holidays.
This was just my experience though.
Holidays were booked the same as any other job and we worked through holidays either planning, internally verifying (which we had to be there for)
prepping for following year.
Our HOD expected us in full time even if we only actually worked pt, irrespective of whether contracted or hourly paid on contact with students.
It wasn't worth it for us, we ended up better off me not working and tax credits.
contracts are few and far between and due to cuts you don't even always get to teach your subject, depending on what it is.
I say for working hours and terms and conditions if you have a job in HE hold on to it, because many in FE would swop in a heart beat.

Others may have different experiences though, this was only mine and those who worked at similar colleges in our area.

[familyfarm]

Thanks for sharing your experience gilly! I'm surprised FE requires so much work ..

[gillybeanz]

family

You could get a reasonably good college, they aren't all the same.
I suppose I was just saying watch out for this, and especially the lack of contracts.
I was hourly paid on contact with the students, so anything else I wasn't even paid for.
All the planning, extra days for paperwork, parents evening, planning etc, I got nothing.
What is your subject though? If you are adaptable and able to teach other subjects you may find it easier and could find more flexible work.
Certainly have a look what's about, just bare in mind that generally speaking the terms and conditions are not as good as HE.

[FoggyBottom]

I had a PhD student who also worked in FE. What they were asked for, on a piddling salary, seemed awfully exploitative. But if you don't want to do research why is anyone an academic except for that? then maybe FE is a better fit than HE.

[familyfarm]

Thank you both!

I enjoy research and lecturing, but I want something part- time, with some flexibility. I thought FE might be more accommodating

[BombadierFritz]

Fe is a thousand times harder and more stressful. I dont know anyone who moved fe to he then back again - we are all thanking our lucky stars every day to have escaped fe.

[FoggyBottom]

And FE pay - if my PhD student was anything to go by - is rubbish. Worse than just being a teacher.

Investigate a part-time appointment at your university - I know several people who are on .67 or .5 FTE contracts