My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

The staffroom

Leaving teaching for school office job - is this madness?

51 replies

Grockle · 24/01/2014 10:09

I've been a teacher for 10 years. I work 4 days a week in a very difficult SEN school where I get hurt daily (bitten, kicked, scratched, neck injuries) because of lack of training, lack of support...

I also have chronic illnesses that mean I suffer chronic fatigue & so have several weeks off every year. My work situation doesn't help my health.

There is an office job coming up at the same school. 4 hours a day, 5 days a week... would I be mad to apply?

Would I regret leaving teaching?

Taking into account benefits, I'd lose £120 a month, I think. To only work 20 hours & be able to pick DS(8) up from school every day.

OP posts:
cowsarescary · 24/01/2014 10:14

No brainer. Do It!!!! (If you can afford it)

Cataline · 24/01/2014 10:19

I'd do it!!

Grockle · 24/01/2014 10:30

I'm really scared! I've always been a teacher! I've had enough now though.

No Ofsted to worry about, no planning, no observations and still school holidays.

Things will be tight but I think, for my health and sanity, I need to do this.

OP posts:
CalorHousewifeoftheYear · 24/01/2014 11:04

Sounds like a great plan!

flowery · 24/01/2014 11:05

Is it teaching, or teaching in this school that's problem? If it's this school in particular, might it be worth exploring other teaching jobs?

If teaching itself is the problem and you're comfortable leaving it, then this sounds like a good plan.

MothratheMighty · 24/01/2014 11:07

You'd be fantastic as office staff, you know the job from the other side, and the children and their families. How useful.
Go for it.

Grockle · 24/01/2014 14:11

I don't know - I think it is teaching in general, made worse by teaching in this school.

I'm exhausted, stressed & tired of jumping through hoops. Paperwork & pressure would be worse in a different school, I think.

OP posts:
AmIGoingMad · 24/01/2014 14:13

If I could afford it and that opportunity came up I'd jump at it!

Good luck whatever you decide!

Grockle · 24/01/2014 14:13

I've recalculated and I'd be more like £400 less a month, which makes more sense. And makes it seem silly to ditch a well-paid professional job. BUt I don't think I can continue it.

OP posts:
twentyten · 24/01/2014 14:14

Could you shadow someone in the role on your day off to see what you think of it? It sounds a great idea.You could always return to teaching or do some tutoring to bump up your salary.

MothratheMighty · 24/01/2014 14:16

It's silly to do a job that's harming your health, working 4 days a week.
If you can't manage to have that amount of salary drop, try another school. The paperwork and hoops will be there, but the physical aggression won't be.

MyNameIsKenAdams · 24/01/2014 14:16

Haha sounds like a bizarre stealth boast!!

MothratheMighty · 24/01/2014 14:17

How so Ken? Confused

AliceAirhead · 24/01/2014 14:20

Life's too damn short to do things that make you miserable. I left teaching in schools over 5 years ago and haven't regretted it for a second. Have done various part-time literacy teaching related jobs since - all of them a squillion times better than being a class teacher. When I speak to friends now who are still teaching I wince at the increasing pressure they're under. When my DD (12) recently mentioned being a teacher when she's older I tried my tactful best to put her off. Escape while you can!

Grockle · 24/01/2014 14:34

Grin Ken

escape while I can is what I feel. Life is too short. I don't see DS - I leave the house at 7.30, get home at 6 then work evenings and on my day off. DS eats breakfast and dinner at his childminders. I may as well not have a child at all for all I see him on my working days.

I am just SO scared of giving up my security. Job is 30 mins away as well so petrol would be an issue but I guess (since I'd be earning a lot less than I do now), if I like it, I could move to a more local school if something else comes up.

If I get an interview, I might ask if I can shadow but I hang out in the office a lot so I know roughly what goes on.

OP posts:
MyNameIsKenAdams · 24/01/2014 14:39

Because its a situation whereby the OP is in frankly an horrofic.sounding job and has been offered a wonderful one.

Grockle · 24/01/2014 14:42

Well, wonderful other than I'd be poor! BUt I'm at the stage where money doesn't matter,. I just need to be able to pay my mortgage and feed DS.

OP posts:
OddFodd · 24/01/2014 14:43

I'd work out finances using the Money Saving Expert budget calculator thingy. And don't forget about other benefits (although is there much of a pension left in teaching any more?)

As I get older though, I think life is far too short to do a job where the stresses outweigh the benefits. I'd rather have less money and more time.

tilliebob · 24/01/2014 14:46

Hello Grockle - I'm still reading that other thread you linked me too!

Wish the same opportunity would come up in my school - I'd probably jump at it! But then you know my feeling only glorious career these days too Wink

Shartibartfast · 24/01/2014 14:47

You need to do what's best for your well-being, but you need to be mindful of the finances and the terms of the new job. What are the pension arrangements for the admin post? Is it term time only, or will it involve work in school hols, in which case will you have childcare to arrange?

WeAreSix · 24/01/2014 14:48

I'm not a teacher but I chose my health and children over my career. I've recently tried giving it one last shot, but that just confirmed that I'd made the correct choice in the first place.

We are completely broke, but I see the DCs every day, take to school and pick up. The choice is yours, but if you can manage on less money I'd do it. Or start looking for something else because either way, you don't sound happy where you are.

Good luck!

Grockle · 24/01/2014 14:56

My pension is getting crappier and crappier & at this rate, I won't live long enough to actually get it. That's how it feels anyway.

Tillie, I hope you find something else. I'll see what the job description says then decide. It's term-time only, I have another small income which helps.

The relief and excitement I felt when someone mentioned this job coming up was huge & really made me feel like I must get out of teaching. The only downside is that my Headteacher may not be keen on employing me to do something else (I think she wants me out & has put pressure on me to leave)

OP posts:

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

BackforGood · 24/01/2014 14:57

What would concern me is that the management of the school don't sound great..."...lack of support..." so why would you want to apply for a job with the same management team ?

I don't blame you wanting to come out of that environment, but I think you'd have to think carefully about staying there. Is it possible to talk privaely to the member of staff who is leaving, and ask them the negatives about the job first ?
Or have you looked at vacancies in other schools ? I know when I came out of special school my experience was much sought after by mainstream schools... could you not look for a 3 day a week SENCo job or similar ?

AliceAirhead · 24/01/2014 15:06

It's utterly understandable to be wary and nervous of forsaking the security that your current position provides. But it's the things that we don't do that we often regret - e.g. taking opportunities when they come along. If there's any way, financially, you can manage on less and get out of your current job that's having such a negative effect on your physical and mental health (and family life), I think you really need to do it.

Don't mean to pry, but are you single parent? Do you have a partner who could support you through transition? If you find the school office job's unsuitable or not financially viable, are there any other aspects of education you could work in? I have a friend that turned to supply teaching after working in an horrendous primary. She really enjoyed the control and flexibility she had over where and when she worked and she's just taken up a permanent p/t position in one of the schools she worked for as it was such a lovely, well-run school. 'Better the devil you know' is a load of crap! There's a job out there with your name on it where you'll be valued and have time to spend with your DS. Have courage!

slug · 24/01/2014 15:20

Actually, as a teacher, especially one who has worked at the school, you are an attractive employment prospect. you know how the school functions already, know the key players, know how to arrange things to work best with the students and teaching staff and are used to the students, know their foibles and their parents.

The school would be daft not to take you on.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.