Weighing up a return

[Aggieisback1]

I left my middle management post in a London private school a year ago. I was at the end of my tether and well on the way to a heart attack or breakdown. I absolutely hated the way the parents treated the staff, the unsupportive SLT and above all the competitive, selfish and uncollegiate approach of 90% of my colleagues. I realise this is not the case in every school.

Anyway I have now relocated taken some time off and managed on private tutoring plus invested some money in high yielding property which gives me a passive income just about enough to live ok on. I know I am lucky to be in this position but my God I paid for it with the destruction of my quality of life before.

Being self employed is good in many ways but I find it terribly isolating. I didn't mind teaching before becoming a HOD and when I was in a school where the colleagues were nice (before SLT ruined it)
I am wondering whether to look at non HOD full/part time jobs in a non London (property price issue) location or forget teaching altogether. I have prior business experience and wouldn't mind doing up and reselling some properties for a living if I found a way around the isolation.
My ex colleagues all say the school has got even more unbearable since I left.On a side note HOW has it come to this that so many teachers are having their health and work enjoyment utterly destroyed..and do the private school parents some (note not all) of whom act with such unreasonableness and entitlement towards teachers ever question the effect of their actions on those entrusted teaching their offspring?

[Mistressiggi]

If you did some supply in the location you are interested in it can be a way to discover if you like the ethos of a school before looking for permanent work there.

[Lowdoorinthewal1]

I think if you get well out of London you will find it easier. The expectation and pressure in the system in London is insane.

Try a rural boarding school.