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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask ex teachers for advice?

63 replies

desperateteacher · 01/10/2024 16:04

I am a very experienced teacher looking to exit the profession. I detest it. There was a time not too long ago when I felt I was doing a good job and had clear career progression, but the last six months I have been bullied mercilessly and my confidence is at rock bottom. That, combined with the state of education (no budget for necessities in schools - I’m talking glue sticks, exercise books and supply teachers to cover, erosion of time to fulfill the extensive requirements of the role and an increasing number of SEND needs) and I’m looking to get out. My question is what can I do?

I’m after practical advice and pointers; I’m well aware what transferable skills we have, but where do I find these jobs? Has anyone left the classroom successfully and what did you do? I’d love some success stories to stop me spiralling! And without meaning to offend, I’m not really after stories of ECTs leaving the profession and starting again, because I’m nearly 40 with a salary of nearly 50k!

OP posts:
Rocknrollstar · 01/10/2024 18:17

I was already tutoring for the OU while teaching and I got a job working on staff development at the OU and this led to a post at a London University in a central unit working across the uni, among other things,providing staff development for the academics.

EnolaAlone · 01/10/2024 18:13

Applications for HMRC's Tax Specialist Programme 2025 are now open. We have a lot of ex teachers. I spoke to two last week who had both been in teaching 20 years. I also have two other ex teachers in my team. Lots of transferable skills.

Original poster
desperateteacher · 01/10/2024 18:12

ComfortandHappiness · 01/10/2024 18:09

What does the civil service actually DO? It’s always recommended, but I never understand what their actual work is!

No idea but it seems to be hugely flexible with great benefits and I imagine way less stressful than my job! I wish I’d gone into it originally 🤣

OP posts:
ComfortandHappiness · 01/10/2024 18:09

What does the civil service actually DO? It’s always recommended, but I never understand what their actual work is!

Gigglebert · 01/10/2024 17:58

desperateteacher · 01/10/2024 17:54

This sounds brilliant! How did you get into this?

I guess what I want to know is:

Are people just lucky in spotting a great role?

Do they trawl job websites and apply for anything and everything (difficult when you have a job and family & limited time)?

Do they make the leap then find the role or vice versa?

I’m ambitious and hardworking and I’ve always had a plan. I’m really struggling with the lack of plan currently!

Show quote history

An element of luck, yes, I only applied for one job and I was lucky that a friend worked for the company and knew it was coming up. It was advertised on LinkedIn and various job sites as well as their own website (my friend got a referral bonus for passing it on) I'd have a think about what locations/companies work for you and get any friends who work there to keep their eyes open for you. What I've learned is that in business it's not what you know but who you know...

redwinechocolateandsnacks · 01/10/2024 17:55

There is a Facebook group - life after teaching, exit the classroom and thrive. Is worth looking at. I went from secondary to FE - it is easier and I moved into teaching adults which I enjoy. I am now 64 and semi retired - I don't think I would be still teaching if I had stayed in secondary.

Original poster
desperateteacher · 01/10/2024 17:54

Gigglebert · 01/10/2024 17:51

I was a science teacher for the best part of 15 years, left teaching in 2022 and moved into a large corporation who were setting up a new division to capture knowledge, essentially working with subject experts from the company to create learning materials. Was a 40k starting salary and wfh 2-3 days a week. Did really well, worked with lots of senior people and got my face known while building a reputation for being a general all round good egg. This year I've moved into business change and I'd have to say that my education skills align pretty perfectly. I'd have struggled to move straight to that role but it's been an easy transition as I'd already built the corporate.

This sounds brilliant! How did you get into this?

I guess what I want to know is:

Are people just lucky in spotting a great role?

Do they trawl job websites and apply for anything and everything (difficult when you have a job and family & limited time)?

Do they make the leap then find the role or vice versa?

I’m ambitious and hardworking and I’ve always had a plan. I’m really struggling with the lack of plan currently!

OP posts:
Gigglebert · 01/10/2024 17:51

I was a science teacher for the best part of 15 years, left teaching in 2022 and moved into a large corporation who were setting up a new division to capture knowledge, essentially working with subject experts from the company to create learning materials. Was a 40k starting salary and wfh 2-3 days a week. Did really well, worked with lots of senior people and got my face known while building a reputation for being a general all round good egg. This year I've moved into business change and I'd have to say that my education skills align pretty perfectly. I'd have struggled to move straight to that role but it's been an easy transition as I'd already built the corporate.

MollyButton · 01/10/2024 17:44

Lots in the Civil Service - look on the Civil Service jobs website. There are YouTube videos on how to apply.
Exam boards - keep trawling their websites and don't forget the Cambridge International one.
There are lots of charities, museums etc that need "education officers".

LouH5 · 01/10/2024 17:39

A close friend of mine left teaching to work for the council, being a minute taker at safeguarding meetings. Took a pay cut from £45k to £30k but is much happier, has a far better work life balance and finds the new job so interesting!

Techno56 · 01/10/2024 17:37

I work with loads of ex teachers in the SEND department of my city council.

I'm not entirely sure it's any less stressful but it is different..

oustedbymymate · 01/10/2024 17:35

Left at Xmas. 12 years teaching. HOD UPS3.

I'm now a business and development manager.

Places to look
Indeed
Work from home hub
Civil service
Did teach
Local council

Original poster
desperateteacher · 01/10/2024 17:35

FrippEnos · 01/10/2024 17:28

It’s also difficult to differentiate the teachers leaving under duress (capability procedures) and those who have simply had enough of the toxic environment that is education these days!

That would be because they are often linked.

You are right of course and I don’t think I explained myself very well. What I meant is that a lot of the posts I see seem to be fairly new teachers struggling with the standards, pace and workload, if that makes sense? I don’t struggle with any of these as such, but I am finding the problems in schools are worsening all the time. I was trying to explain to my husband how it’s a job where you can’t have an off day at all; there’s no day you can be feeling under the weather and drag yourself in, no day you can be feeling upset at all. In fact, I can’t even cope with doing anything in the evenings because my timetable is so tight each day that if I drop the ball even slightly, it all falls apart. Some days ‘dropping the ball’ might simply mean eating lunch!

OP posts:
Expectinglittlebean2024 · 01/10/2024 17:34

I took a large payout and worked in a university (pay was 20k). Then looked at the Civil Service, and went in at EO level (£26k), and then got promoted to HEO within 9 months. I'm now on £35k. You can definitely get out, but you might need to take a pay cut at first. I also tutored online on the side for a few hours a couple of nights a week. There is also the opportunity for further progression in the Civil Service.

Fantasmic143 · 01/10/2024 17:34

I was bullied out by a truly awful HOD at the end of 2011, got a part-time job at an exam board which I loved. I gradually increased my hours by luck and working really hard (though it was a breeze after teaching - a lot was confidential so couldn't bring it home!) and was FT by 2014.

I then applied for a G7 role in a very closely related Civil Service Arms Length Body on a wish and a prayer and have been doing that since 2016 and love it more and more each day. I make a difference for students but am several steps away from the chalk face. My exam board and teaching experience continue to be useful. I earn a really good salary, work from home 3 days a week and do nothing work related outside of work hours.

Good luck!

Salmoney · 01/10/2024 17:33

The civil service. My friend left teaching and now works largely from home for more money and is having her post grad qualification funded through work (she chose to do it, wasn't mandated). Worth a look.

MathsMum3 · 01/10/2024 17:29

What about moving into research/higher education? I am currently doing a part-time PhD supplemented by private tuition and exam marking, with some (albeit low paid) undergraduate/masters teaching. Then hopefully will get a faculty teaching post, or a post-doc position.

MissAustenTatious · 01/10/2024 17:29

I left teaching in September 2023 (after 35 years) and am into my second year as a school secretary and I love it - being at the heart of the school liaising with teachers: admin ,pupils, parents, LEA etc etc but having none of the reponsability.

FrippEnos · 01/10/2024 17:28

It’s also difficult to differentiate the teachers leaving under duress (capability procedures) and those who have simply had enough of the toxic environment that is education these days!

That would be because they are often linked.

Redlocks30 · 01/10/2024 17:28

desperateteacher · 01/10/2024 17:20

I have but unfortunately I find it fairly unhelpful in terms of practical advice as opposed to moaning! It’s also difficult to differentiate the teachers leaving under duress (capability procedures) and those who have simply had enough of the toxic environment that is education these days! Im
under no pressure from anyone but myself to leave this job - in fact my SLT would be horrified if I was honest with them about this!

Show quote history

Yes, I understand. My SLT know exactly how I feel but they are lovely and feel the same themselves! I think we all feel trapped by the salary.

That FB page videos pretty much just tells you to leave and do supply and tutoring and I don’t want to do either of those!

The civil service suggestions look interesting but the whole process seems so lengthy!

Neveragain35 · 01/10/2024 17:26

Have you ever done exam marking? Three people I know have left the profession recently, one writes material for an exam board, one works for an online education provider, and one works for a teacher coaching company. I have seen similar jobs advertised on LinkedIn.

Original poster
desperateteacher · 01/10/2024 17:20

Redlocks30 · 01/10/2024 17:14

You are not alone, I see posts like yours on a near daily basis on here

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5177317-to-not-want-to-teach?reply=138703683

Have you looked at the Exit the classroom and thrive Facebook group?

I have but unfortunately I find it fairly unhelpful in terms of practical advice as opposed to moaning! It’s also difficult to differentiate the teachers leaving under duress (capability procedures) and those who have simply had enough of the toxic environment that is education these days! Im
under no pressure from anyone but myself to leave this job - in fact my SLT would be horrified if I was honest with them about this!

OP posts:
Winter41 · 01/10/2024 17:17

My husband left and s self employed with a gardening franchise. He regrets it however and is back teaching part time in a college

I know of people who have gotten jobs in the civil service but I'm not sure what exactly they do. I also know someone who left and works for a company selling educational software

Original poster
desperateteacher · 01/10/2024 17:10

ToD101 · 01/10/2024 16:34

Peripatetic advisory teacher for your local county council?

This is not particularly easy to get into! Consultancy work would be the dream, but no roles available currently - at least where I’m searching!

OP posts: