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Original poster

To retrain as a teacher at (just turned) 50?

571 replies

MyPearlCrow · 14/02/2025 08:47

Just that really. I was a solicitor/partner in a law firm for my first career but burned out /got bored and cynical, so gave it up. luckily we can afford for me not to work which I realise is such a privilege.

I volunteer in a primary school now several days a week and essentially do an unpaid TA role. Here, TAs here are essentially teachers without all the planning/prep/responsibility, as in they actively teach the curriculum to small groups of children. They are highly skilled.

I have considered being a TA. I have been offered a paid role at my current school. But I’m still considering my options and it’s desperately badly paid. And all the TAs here are technically over qualified (all degree educated, or ex teachers, but don’t want the ridiculous workload of a teacher; entry requirement for TA role in England is just passes in gcse English maths and science) but they are paid peanuts. But it’s such a rewarding role and I love it. I think I could really add value.

Complete honesty here: I also realise that I’m used to running the show, in my old job. I suspect that in time I would want to make my own decisions on how to deal with my class, rather than carry out someone else’s instructions. I can already see ways I would want change up the teaching/approach for some children who are struggling. I am acutely aware that teachers just don’t have time to individualise the curriculum for 30 kids though, so I’m aware I might be looking at this from the 6-8 kids I currently take responsibility for in lessons and the ability to do this with a whole class might be much more limited.

i really love being with kids, I value education, I’m a good ‘teacher’ - as in I love to explain things simply and differently to children (or in my old role, to adults too).

Teachers - am I mad? I know too well how hard the job is these days. The primary curriculum here is crazy complicated. The breadth of ability and need is jaw dropping. But I truly believe in state education being a passport to a better life and would love to be part of that.

or do I just take the TA role, qualify up as much as I can in TA courses and accept I’ll be minimum wage forever but trying to make a difference?

important point: I have kids, so want to work part time. And train part time too. I know there are options for this but it will be competitive (I have top grades academically which I think might help). If I do a part time pgce, could I do my first year as a newly qualified teacher part time or is that not an option?

I don’t underestimate what a massive, difficult, demanding and at times (currently) desperately frustrating role teaching is. Am I too old for such a huge challenge? I’d love some wisdom from teachers and ex teachers please.

OP posts:
BishyBarnyBee · 14/02/2025 10:17

Haven't voted as there are strong arguments both ways.

I did it at 47 after a successful professional career in local government and taught for 15 years before retiring last year. I have no regrets. I can look back and feel I made a difference to some children with very challenging lives. Eventually, I found roles which allowed me to be creative and develop engaging lesson plans, first for my own class (in SEMH SEN) and then for a small, progressive MAT.

Along the way there were really tough times. The biggest shock is how little autonomy you have at first, and how your prior experience counts for nothing once you are in the classroom. The demands while you train are exhausting and it takes years to begin to feel you are getting on top of it. There are so many aspects to juggle and as soon as you start getting the hang of it, the goal posts change and new expectations kick in and there is something else to fit in.

Working in SEN gave me more scope for creativity and working to meet individual needs, but the behaviour was truly challenging and I ended up leaving after a serious injury left me feeling unsafe in the classroom.

I was idealistic, passionate and committed. I worked very long hours and it was highly stressful, but generally very rewarding. A small number of people find ways to do the minimum and not get stressed, but that's incredibly rare. And it doesn't sound like that's what you want anyway.

Basically, everyone I knew in teaching told me not to do it. I thought I knew what I was letting myself in for but actually had no idea how bad it could be. But I have no regrets because in the end, I did make a difference for those 15 years, and that's what I wanted from work. I also have no regrets about stopping though!

If you want to PM me I'm happy to chat about it.

VickyEadieofThigh · 14/02/2025 10:16

MyPearlCrow · 14/02/2025 10:07

I’m looking at primary. I wouldn’t want to teach law to teenagers, even if I could.

how does the curriculum change, if that’s not a stupid question?

Show quote history

Each new government changes the national curriculum. The new Labour government is currently looking at yet another massive overhaul.

terracelane23 · 14/02/2025 10:15

I left after 20 years and wouldn't go back. I listened to a bbc sounds podcast this week about retraining as a teacher in later life. It was based around the teach now programme. It's called "could do better". Worth a listen.

alwaysdeleteyourcookies · 14/02/2025 10:11

biscuitsandbooks · 14/02/2025 09:31

@MyPearlCrow you don't have to commit to the hell of teaching in order to give something back, though.

Quite. There are other ways.

Also, as a lawyer, I am more than happy to stick my head above the parapet and say when things are shit. Teachers where I am currently do not do this - they don’t feel able to rock the boat.

Or maybe they've been teaching long enough to have realised it rarely changes anything.

holly1483 · 14/02/2025 10:10

I had a career change and finished studying at 39. I have never been happier at work than teaching (primary). It's hard hard work, exhausting, but so rewarding on many levels.

I have had interesting jobs before (third sector) but love every day now. Go for it!!

(I will add I don't teach in the UK where it sounds a lot more micromanaged / broken system / there's OFSTED / much tighter rules on uniform, term time holidays, kids wearing ties and blazers and starting when they're just 4).

Original poster
MyPearlCrow · 14/02/2025 10:07

saraclara · 14/02/2025 09:56

It takes longer to plan a lesson than it does to deliver it. Sometimes far longer.

If you're a high school teacher you'll probably have a bank of lesson plans and resources up to a point. As a primary teacher that's less likely. The topics change regularly and with any change to the year group that you teach in. And lessons are much more differentiated for different levels of ability. I could easily spend a morning on planning and resourcing a single one hour lesson. Then there's the assessment...

I’m looking at primary. I wouldn’t want to teach law to teenagers, even if I could.

how does the curriculum change, if that’s not a stupid question?

OP posts:
Blackkittenfluff · 14/02/2025 10:03

Don't do it.
I'm 51 and trying to leave teaching.
Started when I was 40.
I really regret getting into teaching.

Yuja · 14/02/2025 10:02

I taught for 12 years - enjoyed a lot about it but was exhausted at 37!! I've changed careers out of teaching now and whilst the hours and pressure are just as long, it is less exhausting because I am not 'performing' all day. I wouldn't go into it at 50 tbh, but if you really want to the professional certainly needs you!

Spudalot · 14/02/2025 10:01

Pleasedontputthatthere · 14/02/2025 09:46

The replies here are very negative, I say go for it! What have you got to lose, you retrain, it doesn't work out and you leave. You would be in the same position as you are now but you will have tried. I think your reasons are valid. I have the same background as you and I would do it in a heartbeat if money permitted.

But you aren’t a teacher so cannot comprehend what it’s like. There’s a reason the replies are so negative!

Original poster
MyPearlCrow · 14/02/2025 10:00

TwatOnAHotTinRoof · 14/02/2025 09:57

But teachers all have different experiences OP. You won't get a balanced view on here.

Hoping a range of views will create that balance?

OP posts:
Original poster
MyPearlCrow · 14/02/2025 10:00

BigSilly · 14/02/2025 09:57

As the class teacher you can't just ' do what you want' in the classroom.You must follow school policy and otherwise SLT will have views on what and how you do things. You will not be party to much of the information about the children, especially those with special needs /trauma which restrict what you can do with them. Dealing with parents looking for reasons to litigate

Thats interesting - as a teacher I wouldn’t get all the information about my student? Why not? No DP issues for class teacher to have full disclosure on information relevant to teaching and learning?

OP posts:
BigSilly · 14/02/2025 09:57

As the class teacher you can't just ' do what you want' in the classroom.You must follow school policy and otherwise SLT will have views on what and how you do things. You will not be party to much of the information about the children, especially those with special needs /trauma which restrict what you can do with them. Dealing with parents looking for reasons to litigate

TwatOnAHotTinRoof · 14/02/2025 09:57

But teachers all have different experiences OP. You won't get a balanced view on here.

saraclara · 14/02/2025 09:56

It takes longer to plan a lesson than it does to deliver it. Sometimes far longer.

If you're a high school teacher you'll probably have a bank of lesson plans and resources up to a point. As a primary teacher that's less likely. The topics change regularly and with any change to the year group that you teach in. And lessons are much more differentiated for different levels of ability. I could easily spend a morning on planning and resourcing a single one hour lesson. Then there's the assessment...

Original poster
MyPearlCrow · 14/02/2025 09:56

Checkhov · 14/02/2025 09:33

Another ex teacher here. Despite what most are saying, if your heart is set on it, then do it OP. An old seasoned cynic here saying you'll find out the hard way what we're talking about.

I don’t want to learn ‘the hard way’ - that’s why I’m looking for insight from the experts?

OP posts:
tropicalroses · 14/02/2025 09:56

Best teacher I had at school had been a CEO of massive London firm, retired at 45 and became a teacher at 48. He was reserved entirely for teaching the A-level classes, and absolutely brilliant. We actually had a few like that in my school and they were incredibly valuable.

I'd say give it a go.

Original poster
MyPearlCrow · 14/02/2025 09:54

saraclara · 14/02/2025 09:46

Do you think having a strong, mature voice from the inside would help stave off some of those expectations or is that cloud cuckoo land?

Why do you think you'd be listened to any more then the strong, mature voices of the highly experienced teachers in their 50s who have been in the profession for decades? You sound quite arrogant. It's not like the profession isn't already full of strong mature voices. What makes you think that you'd be special?

Edited

I meant at NQ level, not more generally. Also, as a lawyer, I am more than happy to stick my head above the parapet and say when things are shit. Teachers where I am currently do not do this - they don’t feel able to rock the boat. Being adversarial is not for everyone and lawyers are honed in this as it’s a vital part of the job.

Not arrogant at all, that’s why I am asking for all the relevant information so I can make an informed decision. If I were arrogant I’d just think I could ace it and go for it. I am clearly not doing that and aware of all the issues, what I am asking for is the inside info only teachers can know.

OP posts:
Original poster
MyPearlCrow · 14/02/2025 09:48

Liguria · 14/02/2025 09:44

If you have 30 children in the class and teach 4 lessons a day, that’s 120 books to mark before you leave work, or in the evenings. Every day. That’s one consideration.

Show quote history

Marking I totally get, it’s the ongoing ‘planning’ I would love to know more about.

OP posts:
Redrock5 · 14/02/2025 09:48

Your background will have given you plenty of experience in managing workload and with direct knowledge of what you are signing up for I'd do it. TA roles will still be there if it doesn't work out.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 14/02/2025 09:47

Also, if you're nearly 50, don't underestimate how your energy levels can fall off a cliff as you get older. At 50 I thought I could keep doing my job forever. By 58 I had moved into another career which required less intense physical and mental input. I'm looking to retire permanently this year, at 65 because I just don't have the energy any more (not from teaching, I gave up working in the school at 56).

saraclara · 14/02/2025 09:46

Do you think having a strong, mature voice from the inside would help stave off some of those expectations or is that cloud cuckoo land?

Why do you think you'd be listened to any more then the strong, mature voices of the highly experienced teachers in their 50s who have been in the profession for decades? You sound quite arrogant. It's not like the profession isn't already full of strong mature voices. What makes you think that you'd be special?

Pleasedontputthatthere · 14/02/2025 09:46

The replies here are very negative, I say go for it! What have you got to lose, you retrain, it doesn't work out and you leave. You would be in the same position as you are now but you will have tried. I think your reasons are valid. I have the same background as you and I would do it in a heartbeat if money permitted.

Liguria · 14/02/2025 09:44

MyPearlCrow · 14/02/2025 09:39

I’m so sorry you feel like this. I get it.

can I ask a bit more please? Re planning: at the moment, all my year group’s classes are pre-planned and meticulously recorded in online files. Each week they are printed off and followed by all 3 teachers in that year group at the same time following identical timetables, to the minute. They share other stuff too, so one will do all the art lessons, one will do Spanish with all 3 classes, et . they share their skills and, in my mind, therefore share some of that behind the scenes work. I realise that level of cooperation might not happen elsewhere or in smaller schools.

To be clear, I am not for one minute minimising the workload because I completely apac a see and acknowledge it, but if the lessons are all done/planned for the year, as here, and leaving aside the time to set this up at first (which must be massive), genuine question: what else needs to be ‘planned’, year on year, if that makes sense? This is the sort of detail I’m so interested in, what goes on behind the scenes that ONLY a teacher would know and is utterly hidden to everyone else? It’s those things that will potentially come back to bite me more than the more ‘visible to the layperson’ stuff like dreadful behaviour, crazy curriculum/ expectations.

Show quote history

If you have 30 children in the class and teach 4 lessons a day, that’s 120 books to mark before you leave work, or in the evenings. Every day. That’s one consideration.

Wallabyone · 14/02/2025 09:43

Ex law here, retrained as a primary school teacher, loved it. Went into a leadership role, which I loved and felt ready for. Then had three children and after a few years, felt my job was incompatible with our family life. I left for 5 years and felt unsure of whether I wanted to ever go back. A very part time job came up, and now, a year later, I'm teaching almost full time.

I love the job. It's exhausting, it's not brilliantly paid, I work most evenings, planning and prepping (this is not my school's expectation but I need to do it in order to give them the best lessons I can).

I don't have any regrets, it is hard and I think the leadership of any school is key. In your situation, I would go for it.

Not2identifying · 14/02/2025 09:42

It sounds like being a TA is working for you but you wish you had a bit more agency. If I were you, I'd discuss that with the teacher. He or she may be able to give you more autonomy as long as you keep the same records they would and as long as they 'supervise' (know what you're doing and that it meets the required standard).

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