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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be a teacher who is now looking for a career as a barrister or a solicitor

180 replies

Amammai · 18/01/2025 22:44

I’m posting from a point of the complete unknown.

Would a move from being a primary school teacher (18 years experience) to a solicitor or barrister be a completely ridiculous move?

An Instagram recruitment post from the CPS caught my eye and I’m now down a rabbit hole of research. Something about these roles has really caught my interest and I think this could be a potential career pathway for me.

There are many aspects of teaching I still love but after 18 years, I am questioning how much more I can give to the role.

So, has anyone trained as a solicitor or barrister at a ‘later point’ (I’m 40!) Would the move from teaching be doable? Am I kidding myself I could actually do it??

OP posts:
UpThePole · 18/01/2025 23:05

On the basis you don’t know whether it’s a solicitor or barrister that you want to be, YABU.

The roles of solicitors and barristers are not very similar, particularly if you’re not in a contentious practice area.

It’s a bit like saying you want to be in education but aren’t sure if you want to be an academic at a university or a frontline teacher in a school. Different jobs, different skill sets.

Also the CPS is horribly underfunded, generally fails to attract the best people as a result and overall is not considered a great place to work.

Original poster
Amammai · 18/01/2025 23:04

The holidays are definitely a sticking point as we don’t have much family support around us. We would need to rely on holiday clubs and I do love the extra time I get with my two children.

I am happy to work hard and put in extra hours, I just find with teaching at the moment feels relentless without the same job satisfaction I previously felt.

Many children and families just don’t really seem to care about education and this is hugely demoralising. Trying to engage children who really do not care, even at such a young age whilst feeling the pressure of ofsted etc is beyond exhausting.

For context, I am a good teacher. I consistently receive very good feedback on observations etc. I work hard and do everything I can to make learning enjoyable for the children in my class.

I’ve been craving a change for a while, I just wondered if this was a new direction I could possibly succeed in.

Teaching has a way of sucking you in so you don’t believe you can ever be anything else!

OP posts:
diyisnotmyforte · 18/01/2025 23:03

Tho got it OP! Also as a lawyer or barrister of course you'd earn quite a lot more than a teacher salary!

madamweb · 18/01/2025 22:57

Just to add..,. I know someone who went through the CPS process after being attracted by the advert, got through interview, did the first week in the job and immediately quit having discovered the job in reality was quite different from the advert.

I don't want to crush your dreams but would recommend a lot of research/work experience before making any decision

I don't think it's terrible to think to retrain at 40 in principle though, you've got plenty of career left

madamweb · 18/01/2025 22:51

What are you envisaging the job will be like?

What do you think it will offer that teaching doesn't?

Do you have any legal qualifications or will you be looking at an apprenticeship/university study?

Do you have children? If so have you thought about the much shorter holidays? The workload and salary will be very similar I imagine

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