To want to train as a teacher

Difficult to generalise, as you say it very much depends on individual needs. I’ve known some pmld be very violent, some with no warning. Where I was, on the school side we also had 1:1 and 2:1, rarely a 3:1. It’s why I preferred SEN in special schools rather than mainstream, there were physically more adults around in a crisis, and team working is real. But everywhere is cost cutting, minimal staffing levels and gaslighting / bullying to make you accept it.

And mainstream primary. Not sure if that is what you meant.

Do not do it. I lasted 10 years, 2 of which were off on (different) maternity leave.
Out of my cohort of 30 only 2 still teach.

I've been a primary teacher for nearly 30 years, 27 in the same lovely school.

The job is so very different nowadays than it was when I started, but I still wouldn't do anything else.

@DancingsquirrelsI think a lot of teachers if they get a good school stay there! I can't vouch for primary but in secondary it is hard to recruit. When I first started teaching there would be loads of applications - whittled down to a few for interview. More recently for a job at my old place (my job as I am moving on) there were 6 applicants (English) of which 2 were overseas teachers without the correct qualifications, one had been out of teaching a few years and three were trainees. One trainee turned up in jeans and trainers and was sent away almost instantly. One got the job - but in an ideal world they would have sent them away too but know that supply can be a nightmare. They made the comment in the staff room that they were looking forward to a much easier time when they were teaching rather than training. Hmmm.
I wanted to move on to nearer to home, applied for three jobs and was offered interviews at them all. First interview got the job and UP3 without question - which is no longer a guarantee. Supply agencies are crying out for teachers.

Before long there will be a crisis.

I’m in my 10th year. I have never found it too bad (apart from the parents were a nightmare in the private school I worked at), but since going back into state, it’s been fine. Obviously there have been issues such as poor behaviour and less than supportive SLT, but i do think every job must have its bad bits. It’s also not flexible in any way - if you need a day off/time off during term time it’s a nightmare!
It’s not easy, but I’m not sure many careers are. It really does depend on the school you work for though. Good luck.

Primary mainstream is very much oversubscribed in my area and you won’t get a job in teaching if you don’t have family or socialise with teachers a lot. Skills don’t count for anything. Plenty of TA jobs going because it’s low pay for the workload: try it is my advice. You can always go back to support!

SEN schools are always looking for staff. With a background in support you could get a Ta job in SEN schools relatively easily. Consider though, you must know the kids: how will they respond to being told what to do every day? There’s a high turnover of staff because most get fed up of being beaten up every day, again for low pay.

I never considered secondary as a female who got sexual harassment from lads back in primary school. Teachers are now reporting regular bad and worsening behaviour on secondaries, including sexism . You might be ok with that coming from SEN, you might not. It might be ok if you have a girls school locally.

There is a reason why teaching and health/ social is mostly women workers (with men at the top naturally). Women do shit work for low pay that men don’t even notice and still aren’t noticing as it fails with more women leaving. In summary I’d give it a try - you can always go back to support, it’s the other strongly female profession - but if I had more years ahead of me now I’d look at trades or driving or rail for now.

I thought it was only certain subjects eg Maths that have a shortage? Where i live i believe its difficult for primary teachers to find jobs

There are 3 half terms, one in February, one in May and one in October. So you get13. Plus a bank holiday for May Day.

Depends totally on your school/SLT and as such I would always urge anyone who feels dissatisfied with teaching to try another school first (especially if they have only ever worked long-term in 1 school).
I have been teaching for 17 years and love it, so I would always say it’s worth training as it is so fulfilling if it does happen to suit you. Even if it doesn’t, I would say it provides valuable transferable skills.

Be aware that if you work in special schools, some children can be violent, either deliberately or because of their needs. Teachers can end of injured/ needing hospital treatment. Small class size does not change some things. I’m surprised no one else has brought this up. This applies to primary age range too.

Do Music, not English! English teachers' marking loads are insane.

Early days! I’m guessing she’s relatively young too? Teaching is a massively ageist profession and older teachers are actively bullied out. Kids also give older teachers a harder time as well.
Let’s see if she still feels that way in a few years time as she progresses up the pay scale and starts being bullied because she’s too expensive!

Fuck no! Teaching is utterly shit at the moment.

@greengreyblue - I get 8 weeks in the summer- 3 for Christmas and Easter and three half terms. Two of the half terms are a week and a half each. Independent school.

I agree that it depends on the school.

My daughter has now been teaching for 3 years (secondary). Her school is well run, workloads are not unmanageable, and the SLT is very supportive. She absolutely loves it.

I think if you’ve worked in a school and you have Sen experience you’re well informed, I would do on the job training like teach first where you get paid to do it.
a lot of teachers can’t cope due to send children but you’d be ok

H yeah forgot May but that’s still only 13 not 17.

You mean one per term or three per year, no?

You sure you’re not forgetting one of the half terms? Usually one in Oct, Feb, late May. Three per term (autumn, spring, summer).

To counteract all the negativity, one of my oldest friends retrained as a teacher a few years ago and loves it.

He had had very stressful jobs in finance and marketing, had to commute and felt he was missing out on his kids growing up.

The training was obviously challenging but he says the job itself is no where near as stressful as his 20 plus years in commercial roles, he loves getting to know the kids and loves the long holidays.

It wouldn't be for me but he absolutely loves it.

I thought state school teachers in England get 13 weeks off per year? We are supposed to have directed time of 1265 hours over 39 weeks. 6 weeks off over summer, 2 each for Christmas and Easter and 3 1 week half terms.

Sen school - yes, a million times yes!
Mainstream - no, theres to many children with sen needs and not enough support for you as a teacher to deal with their needs & teach the rest of the class.

Where do you teach? In England?

Only teachers in private schools in England tend to have that many weeks off.