What would you think if your adult child wanted to become a primary school teacher ?

[SwanWings]

Really smart, still in uni, it's that adult dc life and their choice, but I probably worry it could lead to a hard life, low pay, too many demanding parents, unrealistic expectations from the schools, being inspected alot.

Just wondering what you'd think if was adult child considering this
Of course we will support dc regardless and of course its a valuable job indeed

@Fifthtimelucky Er? No, in all probability, she would not be earning more in either of those careers. Only if she got an exceptional job in London. Absolutely not elsewhere at 24. As she didn’t want to be a lawyer (it took DD 3 years to qualify as a barrister post a 4 year degree) she’s got quick promotion. DD earnt nothing until 25. DD does earn way more now but vast numbers of law graduates and barrister trainees never get a law job at all. Most teachers who train DO get a job, a fantastic pension and, believe it or not, decent enough working hours. City law firms spit out around 20% of trainees - very few fail the teaching probation year. These careers are very different and a tiny % of law grads or law conversion grads earn the big money. I’ve no idea why people think these high salaries are universally available. They absolutely are not. Teaching is a great career when compared to not getting your law or finance career off the ground at all.

I'd be really concerned for their future mental and physical well-being. I'm a retired primary school teacher and would not recommend teaching as a career to anyone I cared for!

I’d think, good choice. She’ll always be able to find work, and not just all over the U.K., either. And what with AI taking over so many jobs, IMO it’s a particularly sensible choice now.

From a retired teacher it's a awful job nowadays. Parents don't value education so they don't value teachers. I loved it years ago but very few teachers last that long as they burn out. It's a no from me

I would wish them well and support them as much as I can.
It's a good profession. I know several people who work in primary schools and yes it's hard but I can't think of a profession that isn't.

Depends where you teach it can be good pay and its a highly rewarding if challenging job. Permanent vacancies are difficult to find in many areas I have friends that are excellent teachers who cannot get jobs in our city that go beyond a year.
The job has changed there are many expectations to fix societal problems, endless paperwork and support of learners with additional needs is mentally and physically exhausting. I would recommend volunteeeing in a school for a while before committing.

Most people dont have lifelong careers now, so it seems like a good first career.

@MeetMeOnTheCorner Apologies, I wasn’t intending to suggest that all lawyers (or those working in finance) would necessarily be on high salaries, but that seems to be where the big money is if you can get a job in a Magic Circle firm.

As I’ve said, I think teaching is pretty well paid and, as you say, the pension is excellent. The issue I think is that teacher pay is not good for those who remain as classroom teachers - and that’s more common in primary than secondary.

My teacher daughter is 26 by the way, not 24. But I still think she’s doing well and I know she is ambitious to progress further.

If they are good enough to get on the scheme, do secondaty TeachFirst. Can always leave after two years if they don’t like it.
Avoid primary unless they really do want to change nappies and deal with ridiculously high levels of ‘SEN’ and entitled parents.

Having been a primary school teacher for 31 years (retired at 55), I would strongly discourage any child of mine to go into it.
It’s relentless, keeps you awake at night and nothing you do is ever enough. Also the crisis in SEND is making it impossible.

Teachers aren't low paid.
I would be encouraging her, she'll get a great pension if she stays the distance and of course the holidays are great if/when she becomes a mum.

I would think i hope they don't turn into a massive whinge bag

Depends if it's something they really want to do or if it's something they're just considering because they're not really sure what to do. If it's the latter I'd be seriously discouraging them tbh.

I think it’s a respectable profession and they wil have the opportunity to influence a lot of lives really positively. Good for them!

My friend has worked his way to Executive Head with good pay and a fab pension. He hasn’t taught regularly for a few years, was a non teaching deputy for quite a while. It doesn’t have to be awful.

One of the issues with primary teaching is that the progression available is a world away from the initial role, such that many have no interest in it. I think it's interesting there are so many proud parents of this thread with 'ambitious' children who are now senior leaders of some sort. Whilst this is an achievement, it's also a job role very many classroom teachers have absolutely no interest in and that's one of the reasons career progression can be tricky. I know plenty of excellent teachers who could have progressed if they wanted but many have chosen to stay classroom based.

One that doesn’t have such a low salary ceiling.

I don’t see the point of actively pursuing a path that dramatically restricts your life choices.

You must have very low salary expectations to suggest this is the case.

Teaching is relatively low pajd in London/SE England.

Its relatively a lot higher paid in other oarts of the UK.

My adult DD has just finished her first year as a Primary school teacher.

It is not always easy-she is at a very challenging school but she has absolutely loved it. She loves the difference she can make and has found it very rewarding and very very difficult and can't wait to get back to her classroom next year.

I am very proud of her-we all think she was always meant to be a teacher!

I would think it’s a really hard, really important job. I’d be proud

I’d be very pleased. It’s not low paid at all and it a worthwhile job.

As a PP said, if they genuinely want to teach, then they should absolutely go for it, as regret isn't good. If they're just considering it as they're not sure what to do, then no, don't do it.

For me, the holidays are generally a positive. Although I can't take days whenever I want, I do like knowing when they are and not have to fight to book them like in other jobs I've had.

Pay is OK, but feels much better away from London. I've worked in London, the fringe and now about a mile into 'the rest of England', so earn the same as someone hundreds of miles away, but my mortgage is likely to be much larger, so the pay doesn't feel amazing for over twenty years' experience.

Be aware that it can be very difficult to leave a teaching job and go into another career due to the notice periods, which can be up to 7 months in England.

In many schools I've worked in, the bullying from management has been horrendous. Perhaps it's like it in other sectors, although not any I've worked in.

As for the positives, yes, the kids can be great. If you're secondary, you will hopefully be able to teach a subject you're passionate about (although not always the case).

Would I encourage my DC to teach? No, not unless they really wanted to do it. But there are many other careers I would discourage them from too. I'd be happy if they were happy.

This is literally what my adult dc is doing - PGCE starts in September.
I think it's great - as much as teachers like to complain, they really are not badly paid. I am a qualified teacher and I do a mix of teaching and HLTA work (supply) and I think that no job is perfect. Everyone works hard and every career has its advantages and disadvantages. Many careers require long hours and involve pressure (have another child who is an accountant).
It's a beautiful thing, to be able to foster a love of learning, and to introduce young people to all sorts of interesting topics. I'm really happy for my dc that they will get to do this.

As a bonus, teachers never have to work at Christmas!

@Greenfingers37And yet you had the huge benefit of being able to retire at 55! What a luxury. The government put a lot into your pension (well us tax payers) and you have worked significantly less than many others in the country.