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AIBU?

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Original poster

Becoming a primary school teacher

111 replies

ToysRus56 · 22/05/2025 09:35

Hiya, I'm considering becoming an early years/ primary school teacher. I have two children 6 and 8, so I'm conscious life is busy as it is. But I'm stuck in a corporate job I hate. Everyone seems to warn me off it.... What are people's views? Both good and bad welcome...

OP posts:
GoldLash · 22/05/2025 10:50

Stick to your corporate job

the grass is definitely not greener

Goandygo · 22/05/2025 10:48

I was a primary school teacher for 20 years. I left about 7 years ago when it became an academy. Toxic environment, no room for creativity, one size fits all approach - ridiculous.
I don't think it's the lovely job it was. And I did love it - til I didn't.
But, all schools are different - I'd do some volunteering definitely, but even this might not show you what it's really like nowadays.
Best of luck.

Ablondiebutagoody · 22/05/2025 10:41

I trained in Y5 plus half a term in Y1. Taught in Y6. I quit after a year.

Original poster
ToysRus56 · 22/05/2025 10:31

what year do you teach @Ablondiebutagoody?

OP posts:
Ablondiebutagoody · 22/05/2025 10:25

People warned me off it too and I wish that I had listened. Awful, awful job. Workload is completely ridiculous so it's very stressful and you have no time for your own children. In school at 7:30 so they have to go to breakfast club. Leave about 5, pick them up from after school club, shove some dinner down them, rush them into bed, work till late. Repeat every fucking day. Plus at least half a day on Sunday.

I did some volunteering beforehand. It seemed great. Hanging out with kids, teaching them, guiding them, giving something back. But you don't really know what it's like until you are the teacher. Avoid at all costs.

If you need a break, better (and cheaper) just to take a year off.

Original poster
ToysRus56 · 22/05/2025 10:17

Thanks everyone - I'm going to get some TA experience. Just interested to hear people's perspectives. There seem to very few people that love it...

OP posts:
Fastingandhungry · 22/05/2025 10:07

Also look at how many vacancies there are, my daughter and her friends, recent graduates can find no posts.

CoffeeCantata · 22/05/2025 10:02

Volunteer or see if you can get a job as a TA and see how you get on.

Excellent advice.

CoffeeCantata · 22/05/2025 10:01

I agree with the previous poster. Do some research first.

I was originally a secondary English teacher but moved into museum education. After I had my children I wanted to work locally so re-trained for primary (I loved the idea of being able to teach all kinds of lovely, interesting subjects to my class). But the reality of the situation was that the curriculum was so crowded that I found myself rushing through lessons (ruled by the clock) and it was frustrating and miserable sometimes. So little time for creativity, and so much stupid testing and practising for tests when I was there. It was partly the result of the regime at that particular school, but even so - it wasn't the creative, stimulating, child-led environment I'd imagined.

I was good in the sense that I did what was required - I got all 'Excellents' in our Ofsted. But I knew it wasn't really education...it was rather depressing, and I left after 5 years.

FairHedgehog · 22/05/2025 10:01

Pros: none
Cons: Don't do it the kids are feral.

Bluevelvetsofa · 22/05/2025 09:43

Do you like to go to your children’s school events?
Are you able to spend evenings and weekends working?
Do you have after school care for your children?
Do you have any experience of being in a primary classroom?

Volunteer or see if you can get a job as a TA and see how you get on.