Any teachers/school staff here?

[Mzhill]

Just wondering what your job is like?

Since I’ve had my son I’ve considered working in a school, working hours and it would work around my son in school. It seems to be rewarding

it doesn’t have to necessarily be teaching but anyone who works in a school, is it really rewarding? Or not really

I'm a non-teaching pastoral lead. I love my job, the days fly by but emotionally it is hard.

No day is the same. Even after 16 years of doing it I've still dealt with, this half term, two extremely crazy things I've never dealt with before that left me unable to sleep for days.

Like I said, I love it but I don't think working in schools is for everyone.

Oh, and I'm paid 8-4. Last week I did 7:30-6 every day.

I commute so unless there’s a dept meeting I leave on the dot of four most days.

I'm a TA. The kids are great. Everything else isn't, especially the evermore increasing expectations. Just because I can do it, doesn't mean I should.

I love it and in some ways it's family friendly - the holidays obviously, but also the fact that it's very easy to do it part time.

What I do find a strain is the early starts and the occasional late finishes. You're obviously not going to be able to drop your own kids at school at 8.30 on the days you work and altho you may be able to leave at 4, you will have more work to do.

Secondary school: there are some magical moments in teaching, and very little beats a good lesson with a lovely receptive class. But equally there are days when some of them are in a vile mood after a row with their mum/ boyfriend/girlfriend or best mate, and they are hellbent on wrecking your efforts, usually successfully.The admin, prepping, report writing and marking are time-consuming and soul-destroying. You really do need stamina.

I’m in a secondary school in a role which straddles both teaching staff and support staff. Holidays are great and family friendly, but term time is not. Yes the school day starts at 08.45 but staff meetings (twice weekly min) are 08.20. Our day ends at 16.00 but again there’s a half termly rota for homework club until 17.30 and the expectation to run at least one enrichment either giving up lunch or after school each week. Also many after school meetings, parent meetings and of course parents’ evenings (we have 1 min each half term) until 20.00.

Having moved from Higher Education to secondary I can say that it is INTENSE. Your time is never your own - break duty, lunch duty, put on cover in a ‘free’, running clubs, catch up classes for exam years - and you are essentially doing an office job with the amount of email traffic and admin (reports, parent comms, organising trips, writing letters, data, policies, lesson plans, marking etc) PLUS you have to bring your A-game when you stand in front of the kids each day and perform your best. Don’t forget the accountability with exam results and to OFSTED!! I can’t believe I used to be able to block out ‘admin time’ in my diary!! And actually have the time to meet people to properly plan and collaborate…

Oh and there is also no money so be prepared to buy your own resources.

I do, however, love being in a school environment. I find it very rewarding and always look forward to going in!

I’m a HLTA I’m stressed every single day. It’s fast paced and full on all the time.

when I’m away I miss the kids and talk about them alll the time.

I consider my colleagues family as well. So the stress is all worth it for me.