To be a bit confused and a bit annoyed that I earn less

[MrsKravitz]

As a senior lecturer at a University than an A level teacher.
Seriously considering changing.

Im not assuming they dont.

So what then makes your job more valuable (in your opinion)?

Maximum in my sixth form college for an A level teacher is £35,000. Surely you get more than that at a university?

School teachers may get more because of the other responsibilities which we have to do for nothing whilst they go up a grade but then in a school you'd be teaching 11-18 year olds, in all likelihood.

I do think a university lecturer should earn more - they should have a PhD, shouldn't they?

No it's not, Fontsnob! I have an MA but don't know anyone else with one.

I know my friend hasnt got a MA.
I think that there is s certain level of expertise .We are often called in to schools as "experts" and consultants to subject areas and have to maintain a vert high level of such in our fields.
I do feel that Im at a higher standard than when I was teaching in schools, yes.

Wouldnt people expect university lecturers to be at a fairly high levels of knowledge and skill? I would hope so.
I always considered my lecturers to be more so than my teachers (given I was once a student too).

Not saying teachers arent valuable but just surpised by how much.

atswin my mate gets £48K

yes we need PHDs..and teaching quals.

Yes it is, it isn't that way now. But there is a shift, especially with Gove on the case. As lecturing is shifting towards Phd's (as they aren't currently required) our school has already invested in MA's...before our training budget disappeared mind.

As I said, school scales are different. If I were in a school, I'd be paid for being Head of Subject, Subject Co-ordinator, Personal Tutor, etc. Those are all just parts of my job. £35,500 is the top of the lecturing scale.

However, I think the loss of money is worth it - I just teach AS and A2 classes.

Don't think a uni lecturer is 'worth' more than a reception teacher

If your friend gets that then their responsibility goes beyond the classroom, unless it isn't state education.

Yes , its a private school marian

I know plenty of uni lecturers without Phd's.

Is she an AST? That salary would suggest a significant TLR. It's more than I earn, and I am head of a core department.

Whats an ast basingstoke?

If your friend is a teacher on 48K then she/he will have masses of extra responsibilities. If you want that life then I repeat: go for it!

font its a prequisite in many places now

MrsKravitz - I genuinely didn't know that, sorry. When did that change?

I would expect a university lecturer to be paid more in recognition of the fact that they will have researched their subject area to a more in-depth level.

I'm not a teacher so I wouldn't know, but are there any extra responsibilities placed on A-level teachers because they are teaching the under-18s and therefore have a burden of care towards children, whereas all the students at uni are adults?

florence believe me I already have a huge amount of responsibility.

Don't forget you might find the subject more restricting as you have to stick to a national curriculum, which often seems completely unreasonable.

Also, you would have to teach about 23 hours per week, which I'm sure is different to university teaching.

Fontsnob, the government want people to enter teaching without even a teaching qualification. Good for your school if they can afford for you to take an MA - take them up on it!

Thats a good point re burden of care sunshine

You should probably go and work for AC Grayling then. You aren't comparing yourself with the majority of teachers here!

Thta's what I'm saying: if you honestly believe you're getting a raw deal, go back to school teaching. My point was just that you shouldn't expect massive salary without the additional responsibilities. And of course, as you get more management, you get less teaching time. Weigh up what you want. And then come back and tell us how you get on with bottom Year sevens on Friday afternoon.

You forget I have taught in schools, A levels (and one year 9 class)

Advanced skills teacher. But if she's private then anything goes really.