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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to train as a teacher

86 replies

UnrealCity · 24/08/2025 17:02

I am thinking about training as a primary school teacher, I already have a degree so I would be applying for a pgce or similar. I spoke to a teacher friend about it who told me she regrets becoming a teacher and advised me to rethink. Is teaching really that bad? AIBU to think I could enjoy it? I have thought about secondary as well but I've always preferred working with younger children. I would also consider working in a special schooI. I've worked as a support worker for children with special needs for 7 years so I have plenty of experience working with children, and I have volunteered in a primary school, but that's obviously quite different than being a teacher.

OP posts:
Original poster
UnrealCity · 24/08/2025 17:29

WonderingWanda · 24/08/2025 17:24

What is it that is attracting you to teaching?

I'm sure you could do it but why do you think it will be a good job?

I've been teaching for 24 years and it is not the job I trained for any more. The only benefit left is the summer holidays and in 5 years time both my kids will be grown up and at Uni or their next steps so they won't be so much of a benefit to me and I am trying to keep going until then.

I was attracted to making a difference but I don't feel I can do that any more.

I like my current job working with children as a support worker but it's not very intellectually stimulating, I want to carry on working with children but in a more challenging role and I suppose teaching was the obvious choice. I also had some really lovely primary school teachers myself who really made a difference to me as a child. I did wonder if working as a special school teacher would be better in a way as the classes are so much smaller, and I do have plenty of experience working with children with sen.

OP posts:
WonderingWanda · 24/08/2025 17:24

What is it that is attracting you to teaching?

I'm sure you could do it but why do you think it will be a good job?

I've been teaching for 24 years and it is not the job I trained for any more. The only benefit left is the summer holidays and in 5 years time both my kids will be grown up and at Uni or their next steps so they won't be so much of a benefit to me and I am trying to keep going until then.

I was attracted to making a difference but I don't feel I can do that any more.

StrongandNorthern · 24/08/2025 17:20

If you want a life outside work - DON'T.

WombatStewForTea · 24/08/2025 17:20

Depends on your school and head.
Mine are great and I love my job but it's intense, full on and often tear inducing

ButterfliesSkies · 24/08/2025 17:18

A lot of it will depend on the school you work at. I’m about to go into my 5th year of teaching primary and I absolutely love the job and can’t imagine doing anything else BUT there are a significant number of challenges, so you should be aware it can be an extremely hard job.

youlied · 24/08/2025 17:17

job is a nightmare, i left due to burnout and stress and I had been teaching for a number of years. Ridiculous workload, unsupportive leadership with ever increasing demands and daily extreme challenging behaviour. Don’t do it.

Wishihadanalgorithm · 24/08/2025 17:15

I’m going to say do it because we have a massive shortage of teachers and need people to train and be enthusiastic and care about our young people.

As a teacher of 25+ years experience, I would advise you to rethink: teaching can be the best job in the world but. with average length of service only being 5 years, don’t expect it to be your career for life.

Parksinyork · 24/08/2025 17:14

There is a reason why 1/3 of new teachers leave within 3 years.

SpanThatWorld · 24/08/2025 17:09

I trained 35 years ago. I had a love/hate relationship for years but got out 8 years ago and hell freezes over before I go back.

It has the potential to be a wonderful job but the systems in the UK are not conducive to a sensible work-life balance.

SillyMeeee · 24/08/2025 17:05

If you want to be overworked and underpaid forge ahead. Ask me how I know.

Ablondiebutagoody · 24/08/2025 17:04

No, no, no, no. Worst thing I ever did. Cost a fortune to train and the job is a nightmare. I volunteered previously too.

Edit: I also ignored people who advised me not to. I thought "it can't be that bad". It really is that bad. Probably worse.