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Original poster

Should I train to be a teacher or move for a £60K paid job?

267 replies

Arthurlager · 27/03/2013 13:48

I have a dilemma and would welcome opinions.

I am 39, have 3 DC, 11, 9, 6. I have a place on a teacher training course in September. It will mean no income for a year then a starting salary of £21K. And fab holidays of course. Things are already very tight financially. Just to keep my options open I have applied for, and got through to the last stage for, a job paying a starting salary of £60K, final salary pension, bonus scheme etc.

If I am offered the job, it would mean moving house to a part of the country I have always liked, moving schools etc, something I have never done before. But of course it is F/T so I would need a childminder or nanny as we have no family there.

So...what would you choose?

OP posts:
TheNebulousBoojum · 30/03/2013 13:59

Well, it would work if the same criteria were applied to us as we have to follow with the children.
You know, SMART targets, self-esteem, consistency, three stars and a wish?
All that positive thinking and enthusiasm and love we pour out from a dry well.

Viviennemary · 30/03/2013 14:00

Go for the £60K job. Loads of teachers hate their job. Don't touch it with a barge pole.

orangeandlemons · 30/03/2013 14:02

For instance, my Y11's have been finishing off coursework ( I teach a practical subject) basically they came in and got on with it. We didn't have learning objectives, starters etc and all the rest of the outstanding lesson guff. We just got on with it, as we had no time for the above.

Once the fear of being of smt coming in had gone, I really relaxed and got into it, ...and built up fantastic relationships with the kids. We had a great time, a real laugh, yet they were working their socks off. Isn't this how it should be, rather than being crippled by all the stuff that should go on in an outstanding lesson all the time? And the kids are sick of it. They told me that it was great to just come and and do one thing without being distracted and constantly changing tasks all the time

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mizu · 30/03/2013 14:15

I haven't read all the messages on here but do agree with Belle and Nebulous. I too love my job as a language teacher in an FE college - I really enjoy being in the class - and have been teaching for 17 years BUT the pay is dire. If i was full time I wouldn't earn much more than £26,000 a year.

It is a real struggle to make ends meet.

Also agree with the horrendous paperwork, constantly shifting government plans, expectations to always work more hours than you can..........our department started a new course for learners this year - development time for the course which had no scheme of work, no materials, nothing? Zero. No time to talk to or discuss anything with any other members of my team as we are all so busy.

And half terms and hols are like coming up for air - when the prep for the following term has been done.

Go for the other job.

Original poster
Arthurlager · 30/03/2013 23:01

Why is teaching still such a popular career choice? Negative issues in teaching get a lot of news coverage. Yet it still seems really competitive to get a training place. Unless you want to teach secondary physics.

OP posts:
BackforGood · 30/03/2013 23:16

Because a lot of people have a rather rosie eyed view of what it's actually like.
Don't get me wrong, I taught for 21 years - it's been a great job, really rewardig in so many ways,but, it grinds you down after a while. I don't know anyone in teaching who is over 40 who wouldn't get out like a shot if they could - says something I think. Also, I don't know the recent figures, but I know that for years and years, the % of techers who have left within 5 years of starting teaching, is incredibly high. All teachers want to do is to be able to get on and teach, but sadly, that takes up such a small % of their time and energy.

TheNebulousBoojum · 31/03/2013 08:32

'Why is teaching still such a popular career choice?'

Because it looks good on paper, because entrants believe they will get the chance to share a love of learning, because a lot of people think children are fascinating and exciting to work with.
Then after 5 years, with first-hand experience, up to 50% have dropped out, gone part time or otherwise adjusted their choice.

Arisbottle · 31/03/2013 12:40

I am not sure that it is such a popular career, especially amongst some of the strongest graduates. When I left university I wanted to go into teaching and was persuaded out of it by just about everyone I knew. When I finally went into teaching people thought I was mad because it was seen as a second rate career.

ShipwreckedAndComatose · 31/03/2013 13:20

I've always thought it was seen by some as a safe bet...and so is a barometer for ecomonic times.

Original poster
Arthurlager · 31/03/2013 21:05

Still waiting for someone on 60k to say they wish they could retrain as a teacher! This has been useful thanks for all your responses.

OP posts:
TeamEdward · 31/03/2013 21:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Arisbottle · 31/03/2013 21:39

I was on a similar amount of money and did retrain as a teacher .

chicaguapa · 31/03/2013 22:11

As was DH and he did too. I think that most highly paid jobs are so because you'd not do them otherwise. DH was bored rigid and was desperate to become a teacher, in spite of the low salary. Jobs like these are done because they're a vocation. They don't need to throw money at it for people to want to do teach/ nurse/ police etc. They'll do it anyway, as is demonstrated at the moment.

Original poster
Arthurlager · 31/03/2013 22:17

Good points. So no regrets Arisbottle? What age were you when you retrained? What did you do before?

OP posts:
Arisbottle · 31/03/2013 22:28

I worked in retail before, started as a buyer. Good salary but on the road a lot and seeing little of the children. Went into teaching just after turning 30.

I have had moments where I have wondered if I have done the right thing. But it is certainly more family friendly than my previous job. I think if you want to earn money and you are good at teaching, in secondary it can be relatively easy to climb the greasy pole.

greenfolder · 01/04/2013 18:21

I have just left a 2 year pgce course in FE. I went in with my eyes wide open. I left and went back to industry because of the lack of prospects, 1980s management style and endless scrutiny. The endless lack of basic resources and fighting for them just depressed me. Never seen more bizarre behaviour or politics in any business I have ever worked in. I reckon there's a book in it though!

greenfolder · 01/04/2013 20:27

Honestly, I swear there was never a printer or photocopier that worked and at best a 50 per cent chance of any type of technology working. It drove me insane!

Arisbottle · 01/04/2013 21:02

I think the problem is certain badly run schools rather than teaching as a whole.

Having said that I am always using up all the coloured ink at home!

breatheslowly · 01/04/2013 21:31

I found that we were all taking part in endless initiatives which turned out to be one of the many deputies' National Professional Qualification for Headship projects. Many of the deputies went on to be heads elsewhere. They did a good job while deputy which was a strength for the school but these reinventing the wheel initiatives were designed to drive you mad.

IHeartKingThistle · 02/04/2013 00:54

Nope, I think the technology/printer/photocopier problems are nationwide! Because most good IT people don't work in schools, they're earning much better money elsewhere!

I'm generalising, but it's a valid point!

IHeartKingThistle · 02/04/2013 00:55

Sorry about all the exclamation marks!!!!!!!

greenfolder · 02/04/2013 10:20

Seriously if you are used to working in a commercial environment or self employed it will piss you off big time.

Arisbottle · 02/04/2013 11:21

It may piss you off big time . It may not.

greenfolder · 02/04/2013 11:23

Seriously if you are used to working in a commercial environment or self employed it will piss you off big time.

Arisbottle · 02/04/2013 12:57

I did work in a big commercial environment . It doesn't piss me off. It may do, it may not