Need to escape the classroom

When I left teaching (part time) it was for a full time WFH role (charity). I was earning more but working more hours. I also have 3 DC but mine were all at school (only needed childcare for the youngest). I also didn't work for a few years when the DC were small but DH had a job where he could do overtime.

Right. I stand corrected - I missed that

It's 3 because they are at school, nursery and childminder. This will be a bit easier when my middle child goes to school in 2025. We have a brilliant cleaner who does make things a lot easier. Yes I think we need to look at distribution of jobs tonight. Thank you

I'm sorry to say this but, if you move jobs, you'll not necessarily be happier in the new role. It could be more hours for less money and in an insecure Contract. And who knows if your new colleagues would be any less of a problem than your pupils are. I'd encourage you to investigate before you decide. Upthread, I suggested you could maybe apply for a Career Break for a few months to help you clear your head. I'd just suggest in kindness, try not to throw the baby out with the bath water - the grass isn't always greener. Your children will grow up before you know it (and you'll think fondly on the times they were wee, believe me).

I was in a similar position, also tried the EP route but couldn't get on the course. I left teaching on when I was on about £1300 for 2.5 days a week. I now work for a charity, 4 days a week 9-3 and earn £1000 a month. Totally worth leaving teaching for!

Once they’re all in school you won’t recognise yourself. It will get much much easier.

I would recommend looking at getting involved with ECTs and mentoring and ITT. It’s a way out of the classroom but using the skills you have.

I'm in a similar position. 2 days a week and 2 children under 4. I really want to leave the classroom but am aware there aren't really any other jobs I can do 2 days a week on a similar salary. I'm planning to stick it out until both children are at school and then change career - I'll be able to take an effective paycut as I'll be able to work more days then. I'm planning to use the time once the youngest is at preschool to do some training or useful volunteer work for experience. Obviously there are still a few years to stick things out in the classroom but I figure I can stick it out for a couple of years knowing there's an end in sight!

Anyone saying that they don't understand why you are so stressed clearly has no clue what it's like.

I was in your position. Although my DH isn't a teacher, he works in a job that carries an equal emotional toll and which involves lots of evenings/weekends. When my youngest started school I decided to go up to 3 days to see how we'd manage and to see if teaching was something I wanted to make my career out of.

I didn't even last the year.

I quit in April 2022 to join my dad in his business and hope to qualify as a chartered accountant in March next year.

I say get out. It's the best thing I ever did for my family.

To be honest working 2 days a week should be easy compared to most mum's who need to work full time .Plus you won't get another job with all the school holidays off .

I suspect you're not going to find so
something with the same money, 2 days a week, with equivalent holidays.

So are you prepared to compromise?

I don't think OP said she had a cleaner. People suggested it could help.

It’s tricky with young kids. Life’s busy and it feels like there’s no time. I think if you quit then the chance of finding a similar level of pay for the same hours is virtually nil.

Im a nurse. I work 2 x 12 hour days. I get more take home pay than you (slightly) but work more hours. Childcare for 12 hour days is hard so DH does drop off and pick up. I can’t make the nativity if it’s one of my work days unless I swap shifts and then I’d lose the childcare. I have to work in the holidays. I like my job though.

Having said that there seem to be a lot of people ‘working from home’ now who do drop off and pick up every day. No idea what they do!

This is why many stick with pt teaching although it's stressful - to earn a similar wage most jobs with a transferable skill set would require more hours and in most jobs there is an element of pressure whatever the role. Your husband would presumably still have the school holidays so.that may make your decision easier.
I teach 0.5 and make it work by having rest of the week structured 1 morning to complete school admin/planning to make work days easier, 1 day for housework/batch cooking and 1 day for life admin, appointments etc. It's all about balance and with 3 young children there are no easy options. I stay in teaching not because I love it but I would need to work full time in another role, pay for holiday childcare and wouldn't have time for all of the above!

Why?!

I think the only way you stand a chance of getting a decent salary out of teaching is by not limiting yourself to term times.

I'm sorry you're finding it hard, I have 3 children so know how hard it can be when trying to get to work in the morning! I work 4 days a week and have 1 day at home with my 3 yr old. I think having 3 days off should be enough time for housework and shopping? I struggle to see why the husband who works full time should do more? Unless he really is doing absolutely nothing to help out!

I'm a little confused 🤔 so you work 2 days, have 5 days off, you don't work from home, you have a cleaner, you have 3 kids, your DH is a teacher too and you're struggling getting the children out the door the 2 mornings you're working? Or is it you're struggling working in a school ?

You want a similar job with same hours , holidays and pay but surely this still means you're getting the kids out ?

OP how is your relationship with DH? On paper, I’m struggling to understand how somebody who is working a well paid job 2 days a week, with a cleaner and a husband who earns a good salary is finding things so tough. Does your husband do his fair share of childcare, admin etc?

FWIW as a single mum for many years, there were times when I just could not make the school plays etc. Try not to beat yourself up too much about that.

If you switch jobs you might make the nativity but you’ll lose out on all the holidays…

If both of you work term time only and you have a cleaner how bad can it be?? Could you get another day at nursery / childminder for you to do your planning/ marking / have some headspace?

think of the pension you’re building up etc. long term vs short term!

What is your role within the school? Are you job sharing, PPA cover, are you class based or in a support role?

Have you tried talking to your line manager to see how your role and responsibilities could be mitigated, even if it means a temporary reduction of hours/ pay.

Schools are losing teachers at a rate of knots, and your SMT might prefer to be flexible and keep you on for say a year /18 months until your kids are a bit older and you feel better able to get back into the swing of it, rather than lose you altogether. I appreciate this is harder for schools to do these days because of finances, but in the long term a good experienced teacher is an asset, and they might find a way to do it. No harm in asking.

Minimum contracts in our local NHS Trust is three days or 22.5 hours. Im not sure if that's standard.