Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Quitting career to do PGCE?

140 replies

DisneyLady1 · 01/07/2023 08:22

Hi Mumsnetters,

I'm at a crossroads, and unsure what to do. Thought I'd post on here to see if anyone has any nuggets of advice!

I've been lucky to get a place on a PGCE course teaching English at high school level, starting in a few months. It's something I've always dreamed of doing, but was advised by other teachers I know to do something different (at least initially).

After having DC1 I now feel is a good time to take the plunge, as I'm not getting any younger!! There is never a good time to do something like this (I find) and I am lucky to have savings to fall back on for the year of study.

I do have some worries though!

Worry one: Is PGCE compatible with a child in nursery? I would hate to get through the year and feel as if I'd missed out on his development and like an absent mother. I know some people unfortunately don't have any options when it comes to this, but my current job have kindly agreed to let me work part time. I've heard horror stories about the PGCE but understand that people maybe only share them on here if they've gone through a bad experience. I do work in a high pressure business and have done for 15 years, so I am excellent at prioritising and doing just enough to get by.

Worry two: Is teaching as hard as people say it is? I read horrendous accounts on here, but my friends and family who are high school teachers all say it's not actually that bad, and they don't seem to be working all evenings/weekends/holidays like I hear some people do. What's the truth? I loved my experiences teaching, but work experience can only show you so much as you don't have the accountability/targets etc that real full time teachers would.

Worry three: I'll be quitting a solid and stable career with a decent salary for the unknown. I like my current job, it is satisfying... but I just don't feel as if it has much meaning to me. I think that's why it is low stress, because it doesn't actually matter in the grand scheme of things! I'd like to do something that matters to me, but I know this will bring other stresses too, and my salary will be cut by more than 60% to do this.

So it's a question of following my passion and the unknown vs. sticking with a stable, yet perhaps less exciting career.

Thanks for reading my rant and any advice you might offer!

OP posts:
Honeyandwine · 01/07/2023 08:27

I think your first worry is the most relevant and most real. I'm a teacher with children who are young. I've missed all their firsts because I'm full time. Don't get ti go to sports days, nativity plays or stay and plays etc. But I do get the whole 6 weeks with them soon and all the other holidays. DH is incredible at going to all events.

It is stressful but as are many jobs. DH works in a stressful field too- lots of jobs are. It is rewarding and every day is different. Secondary will have behaviour management issues to contend with so be prepared for that but generally I think teaching is a fantastic career. Good pension, holidays (and I make a point not to work one day and then have the rest completely off), reasonable pay and incredibly rewarding.

Original poster
DisneyLady1 · 01/07/2023 08:37

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply - really kind of you! Yes, agreed about the nativity plays/sports days etc. Luckily our parents live nearby so we would be in a position to ensure that someone from the family could attend those events. Would be gutted if it wasn't me, but understand you can't have it all either.

Yes I am expecting lots of behaviour management to do, which was my experience when to my work experience too - it's crazy how much energy this takes up. But, as you say, the good times do make up for it.

OP posts:
Archeron · 01/07/2023 08:39

Personally I think you’re mad. Teachers are striking repeatedly because their job is so terrible and underpaid. You work evenings and weekends and it destroys your life. Teachers are actively trying to get out into alternative jobs.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Jobs
Original poster
DisneyLady1 · 01/07/2023 08:41

Thanks for your response @Archeron ! What subject/level did you teach at? I'm a bit conflicted because my mum loves her career as a teacher, and most definitely doesn't work evenings and weekends. She maybe does 1 Sunday afternoon every few weeks and that's it. She was also HoD, so had additional responsibilities.

OP posts:
Singleandproud · 01/07/2023 08:43

I wouldnt advise anyone to go into teaching, especially with young children. It's a nightmare when your children are ill, it's likely youll miss most if not all of their sports day and Christmas productions. You get the school holidays off but actually taking a holiday dure that time is extortionate.

Stay in your current, more flexible job and volunteer at a youth group in the evenings. Could be a cadet group, brownies/ scouts, a sports club, a youth group, young carers etc.
It will get you out of an evening and give your life (more) meaning

Qilin · 01/07/2023 08:46

DisneyLady1 · 01/07/2023 08:41

Thanks for your response @Archeron ! What subject/level did you teach at? I'm a bit conflicted because my mum loves her career as a teacher, and most definitely doesn't work evenings and weekends. She maybe does 1 Sunday afternoon every few weeks and that's it. She was also HoD, so had additional responsibilities.

When does she do her marking, planning, reports, etc? PPA is only half a day, so maybe 2.5-3 hours, once a week.
Interested as I don't really know any teachers - primary or secondary - who can fit that into their school week these days.

cansu · 01/07/2023 08:47

Cutting your salary by this much when you have a good job that is low stress fir teaching which is high stress and shit money is bonkers tbh. No teaching is not family friendly. You will not get time off easily to see your kid's special events and people will be difficult if he is sick and you need time off.

Original poster
DisneyLady1 · 01/07/2023 08:48

@Qilin over her lunch break, and before she gets home - she does an hour or two once school is over, but still home by 18:30 - much earlier than my office job.

OP posts:
cansu · 01/07/2023 08:50

I have met other people like you in teaching. They tend to leave within the first five years.

Tryingtryingandtrying · 01/07/2023 08:50

I agree with above. You would be utterly mad. You'll be doing 60 plus hour weeks.

Archeron · 01/07/2023 08:51

DisneyLady1 · 01/07/2023 08:41

Thanks for your response @Archeron ! What subject/level did you teach at? I'm a bit conflicted because my mum loves her career as a teacher, and most definitely doesn't work evenings and weekends. She maybe does 1 Sunday afternoon every few weeks and that's it. She was also HoD, so had additional responsibilities.

I taught science to 16yo boys. You will find that older teachers often like their jobs because they started back when it was an easy enjoyable job, and now they’ve been promoted past all the shit. You also have to bear in mind that some teachers are crap and aren’t doing their job properly, and that’s why they’re not working evenings and weekends. I knew a number of teachers who didn’t do their share and it created extra work for me.

Original poster
DisneyLady1 · 01/07/2023 08:51

To add to this, she is very experienced - more than 25 years, so maybe that's the reason why. Perhaps planning doesn't take as much time any more. @Qilin

OP posts:
theresnolimits · 01/07/2023 08:52

Ex teacher here. Started training when my children were in primary. I think it works better if you can work part time and there’s much more flex for that now

I’d trade the school holidays with the children for the odd school assembly any day - it can be covered by partner and GPs and some are in the evening anyway as teachers aren’t the only parents who can’t get time off. These end by secondary school anyway. I also had fab colleagues who would cover the odd lesson for me if they had a free (PPA) and I would do the same for them.

I say go for it. Yes there are many teachers leaving but there are equally many staying. I hate to say this but as a local/ second salary it’s not bad - def better than a lot of office jobs. You work hard but there are other jobs that are the same.

You’ll find out quickly if it’s for you and if you don’t try it you’ll always wonder.

Tryingtryingandtrying · 01/07/2023 08:53

Plus children get more expensive as they get older! 60% cut in salary will have impact on your whole life, property, holiday, potential to have more children if you want them

ContractQuestion · 01/07/2023 08:55

A huge percentage leave teaching within the first 5 years. I so wish I could go back to the stage you are at and retrain as something more flexible, more family friendly.

I truly wouldn't do it now. So many threads on getting out of teaching once you feel trapped at 40.

Have you looked at mental health nurse, occupational therapist, or educational psychology (depends if you have psych background.) Or something closer to your degree?

Pgce year is intense. You are in school by day and study in the evening.

Actual teaching allows no flexibility to see kids in school which gets harder later into primary.

Unless you're going down a private route for the children (early start/late finish/no expectation of mum into see work/assemblies)

Original poster
DisneyLady1 · 01/07/2023 08:55

@theresnolimits I agree with that trade off too. With my office job, as a part timer I will only have 3 weeks a year off. Once Christmas is out of the way that's hardly anything. We'd be bound to school holidays anyway with my son as he goes into school etc.

Would much rather be able to enjoy the holidays with him than packing him off to a summer school just when the weather is starting to get nice etc.

OP posts:
Amblesidebadger · 01/07/2023 08:56

What subject does your mum teach?
I was looking at moving into becoming an English teacher away from primary but have reconsidered due to the crazy English marking. 5 lessons a day = up to 150 books. Even if you don't mark everything, the workload is insane with only 3 x 50 minute lessons free.

Whinge · 01/07/2023 08:58

I've been lucky to get a place on a PGCE course teaching English at high school level

This made me chuckle as where I live they're accepting pretty much anyone on to the course in the hopes that a few make it to the end.

OP I think you would be mad to give up a secure, well paid and flexible job with a young child. Your mum's experience doesn't reflect that of the many teachers I know, and most of those with children are only holding on because they're part time or they have no one else to cover the holidays.

DanglingMod · 01/07/2023 08:59

You would be absolutely insane to consider teaching if it meant that much of a salary cut! Try teaching for more money than you're on now, sure, but for less money? Lose lose.

Original poster
DisneyLady1 · 01/07/2023 09:01

As an aside, I'm sad to see all these difficult accounts of teaching! It is really a shame at how the govt have decimated the profession. Makes you wonder what the future will hold if it's not working for the teachers (or the students for that matter!)...

OP posts:
WhatHaveIDone21 · 01/07/2023 09:01

I've been teaching for many years but I'm primary not secondary. I also had a different career before teaching and left it to go back to do a PGCE.

The first couple of years were very intense and I was working long hours and at the weekend. I didn't have children then and I think it would have been very difficult especially if they were young. I was still early in my career when I did have my DDs and I remember working late in to the night - I would stay in school till 4.30 then come home and spend time with DD/make tea/do bath and bed. Then have to start work again after she had gone to bed.

It is easier now they are older and I have more experience as things do take less time. But a PP is right in that many teachers are unhappy with the conditions at the moment and the scrutiny we are constantly under. I was lucky as my DDs went to the school I teach at so I didn't miss sports days etc but DD1 has just started secondary school and already I have missed many things. It is not at all flexible and illness/appointments are normally covered by grandparents.

I think I would wait until your child is a little bit older because the first few years will definitely be hard. But ultimately it is your decision and as long as you go into it knowing there is a high workload then you should be okay. I'm off to a school event now - will be there most of the day so just another example of the life of a teacher Grin

Original poster
DisneyLady1 · 01/07/2023 09:02

@Amblesidebadger she teaches DT, so a very practical subject. Perhaps there's less marking as a result (although lots of coursework!)

OP posts:
Original poster
DisneyLady1 · 01/07/2023 09:05

Thanks for your account @WhatHaveIDone21 it does sound intense to do that all with young children too - good luck on the school event today!

In my current job I will need to be working after DC is in bed too - it is more flexible but long days all the same (hunched in front of a laptop, which I despise!)

OP posts:
anatasia · 01/07/2023 09:06

Teaching can be a wonderful job but the stress can also break you. I've seen colleagues destroyed by the job and their health broken. Is it worth it? I don't know. If it's possible maybe arrange some work experience for yourself?

Original poster
DisneyLady1 · 01/07/2023 09:06

One option would be to postpone until DC is older as you say @WhatHaveIDone21 . Also would love to have DC2 soonish, so that's to take into account too.

OP posts: