Older teacher and promotion

[veryverytiredmummy]

Thinking about going into teaching after a career at the criminal bar. I'm 46. Would the age be a disadvantage when it comes to promotion? I'm interested in having a career not just a job.

I started at 32 and became a deputy head at 49. There are lots of mature NQTs.

Have you spent any time recently in schools? Before you even consider changing career, I would suggest spending time in a state school of your preferred age group (at least a couple of weeks, or a day a week for a few months).

thefishwhocouldwish.
But do they get overlooked for promotion?
Littlefish
Yes. Loved it.

No age won't really matter. You're usually on a pay scale anyway so age won't affect your pay. To be honest though there was an internal promotion at my school and no one would apply for it. The extra work is not worth the pay difference

I don’t know, tbh.

You’d be an NQT at about 48, I’m guessing? I mean, theoretically it’s possible. But you’d have to move pretty speedily up the ranks

What have you in mind? Headteacher?

Not in my experience, no. If you have the right skills and experience, you have as much chance as anyone else. I've just secured my first international post and age didn't come into it.

I started at 29 and became a head within 6 years. I had had a very high flying career post uni. I took a 70% pay cut to be a teacher.

If you are male and catholic then head within 5 years at primary is very realistic.

There is a massive headteacher shortage and so it is much easier now that it has ever been. It is harder to get a post as a deputy but in reality you don't need that to be a head, an assistant head would be as good.

Not male and not Catholic.

It's not so much that I have head in mind more that career development is important to me. I've been involved with management of my chambers over the last few years and really enjoyed that.
Also salary is important to me long term (although obviously I'd perhaps be aiming at something else if it were the only consideration!).
Like all criminal barristers I'm used to putting in long hours and working for free (all the management stuff is unpaid as is a fair amount of my day to day work). It would be nice to get a salary increase for taking on responsibility.

But you will start on £24k? As a primary head you will earn less than £70k probably (most are in £60ks range). £100k maximum as an exec head in a MAT maybe.

I still work in education and earn about £120k but my role is very niche and there is no possible role after this one.

Much much harder to get progression in a secondary school.

I would do ITT through a MAT and then your prospects for rapid promotion would probably be better.

Harder to get progression in a secondary school? How?

Where are you based? If London then chances of promotion are rapid. Age no factor.

Primary or secondary? How fast you can rise through the ranks seems to vary because secondary schools are larger so often there are more middle management steps to fill. Also, what subject? At secondary that will dictate your opportunities more than age I’ve found.

I know someone who was in a VERY similar situation to you. She is now a primary HT at got there within about 10 years of qualifying. Was appointed AHT as an internal promotion then a different school appointed her as a maternity cover HT from which she moved on to a permanent HT role.
Talent and leadership skills are appreciated as long as you choose your school (and HT) carefully - look for schools with a track record of promotion from within.

Harder to get progression in a secondary school? How?

Much, much harder to get to be a head.

Much more money, though. I know secondary HODs on the same money as primary Heads.

Much more money, though. I know secondary HODs on the same money as primary Heads.

I don't disagree. Depends what role you want though. Most HODs teach and most primary heads don't.

Youngest Head I have appointed was 27. Oldest in their early 60s.

You do not! tattoo.

Or at least I find that difficult to believe. I'm UPS3 and a HoD on a TLR and earn about £43,000 a year, after 30 years of teaching. Tell me which secondary schools are offering £70,000 for ANY Head of Dept?

Calm down!

A primary head who is on £70,000 is a rare breed. It depends on the size of the primary school, and how many staff are employed as I’m sure you know. There will be plenty of primary heads on around £43,000 in small schools with mixed classes.

I work in a medium size primary school of approximately 320 children. Our HT earns about 70K, I'm a senior teacher and on the leaders team (there are 3 of us, rather than a Deputy Head) and I earn approximately 37k after 20 years teaching.

A primary head who is on £70,000 is a rare breed. It depends on the size of the primary school, and how many staff are employed as I’m sure you know. There will be plenty of primary heads on around £43,000 in small schools with mixed classes.

Really? I appoint dozens each year and don't know a single one on less than £54k (L14 giving a L14-18 range for group 1) . I refuse to go to advert on less than that this days as we won't get a viable field.

A primary deputy on L10 is on £49k and some deputies are on much more. An AHT would typically be L6-10, so starting at £44.5K. Some are on 4 which is £42.5ish- never seen lower. I know plenty of primary deputies on L16 which is £57kish

I do a lot of HTPM across the country and in the £60k range is the norm regardless of school size. Group 1 max is £58.5ish, Group 2 max is £64ish and group 3 £68ish. £70k is top end but not unusual. Most I have recruited for a single primary was mid £90s but that was exceptional.

Where are heads on £43K?

Tell me which secondary schools are offering £70,000 for ANY Head of Dept?

I know of maths teachers with no responsibility on £50k+. So I would guess maths?