Quitting teaching

[Goblinita]

I’m fed up of teaching, fed up of SLT, fed up of workload. What other options are there for someone who’s got a background in teaching????

In FE we never get pay rises, it's an absolute crime.

FE seems to be completely different to schools. Less holiday and much less pay.

I absolutely love what I do but we find it hard to recruit due to poor pay.

Just feeling down - I’m a teacher at 54 & on supply since 2016. I get very long term blocks in primary but also secondary as science trained. I’ve been feeling recently that i would like to get out of this supply hamster wheel and leave teaching altogether, but I keep thinking I’m on the scrap heap and am unemployable. My. Confidence is shot. Looking at no experience needed jobs and still thinking I will never be needed. Haven’t worked now since end of summer term 23 as very little supply roles in. I feel like life has crumbled before my eyes. Any pointers ..

Start with what you want to do and feel motivated by. Rather than thinking that you’re washed up, think that you’ve got at least another 10 years to do something different, that is unless you are able to retire early. Anything here appeal? https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-a-skills-bootcamp

Thank smooththecat- i will look. I’ve got a first degree in biochemistry & 3 masters degrees in education / computing and maths & toxicology.

I would willingly retrain but I feel paralysed with fear and not knowing where to turn to. Thank you so much for replying and giving me a hand on the shoulder - we all need that sometime.

Well, seeing as you’ve already got masters in computing and maths, would a job in tech appeal? Teaching can really grind you down and I found that I lost touch with my curiosity and research interests (also did two higher degrees) because of the treadmill of education. A bootcamp might skill you up for a specific role in tech and would probably cover stuff that wouldn’t have been in your higher degrees, and your background would be in demand.

Oh I hope so, I can’t go on like this as it’s affecting my mental health now (constantly worrying and being tense ). Don’t know what I will do otherwise. Thank you so much.

@Teachone We've got three Learning Technologist/Learning Designer jobs going at Southampton Uni: jobs.soton.ac.uk/vacancies.aspx?cat=151&post=1 They're hybrid, so you wouldn't need to be on campus every day, so if you're in the south they might be feasible

Interesting thread. I'm 40 and am worried about the prospect of 27 more years in the classroom - I love my job but don't have it in me to do it for that much longer.

Good shout Cornish mum!

Would you consider tutoring? I switched from classroom Primary teaching to individual tutoring two years ago and have really found my niche. It's so rewarding going at the child's pace and seeing the progress they make. Most of the children I support have additional needs and need their confidence building. Other tutors focus more on exam prep and obviously there's lots of demand, especially in the core subjects.

juse been offered - although a trained teacher - an TA role. Pay much reduced to classroom teaching role but hopefully it will give me headspace to apply for other jobs if they want me ( outside teaching as well).

just feel absolutely lost.

Only via my supply agency -

Tutoring, definitely.

I'm so sorry you feel this way. Honestly, try tutoring. There are agencies seeking qualified tutors only and you can find jobs that are online only.

Exams officer