Would I BU to train as a primary teacher?

[Chocolateorangegoblin]

I am currently a SAHM and thinking of options for re training. Would it be a bad idea to train as a primary teacher?

I have always wanted to do it but I've heard so many horror stories about having to work 60/70 hours a week and it being really stressful and not enjoyable.

So any primary teachers out there can you tell me what your job is like? Or anyone training to be a teacher are you enjoying it? Thank you.

My experience is definitely that I don't work as hard in the independent sector Harry, & I have lots more time to actually, well, teach, but of course it's not an absolute. My day is similar to yours but smaller classes & less admin make ALL the difference. Plus as a lone parent us all trogging in together means I'm not trying to spread myself between three schools simultaneously at 3pm.

Agree about parental pressure though...

rollonthesummer - I applied for various jobs via TES international, got shortlisted for all but a couple wouldn't advance my application as I have 3dc.

Then a colleague mentioned to her sister (then HOD here) that I was looking & I was Skype'd & hired.

It's been an upheaval, definitely, big culture shock. But brilliant - we live in school provided accommodation on a very naice compound, bussed in & out to school.

Tax free salary with free housing & assorted perks, so as a 2nd in dept I'm effectively on the UK thick end of SLT money.

Usual observations etc, but basically, if you can do the job, you're left to teach. New HOD this year & we get to run things with minimal interference.

100% A-C & 50% A/A, so we must be doing OK without all the micromanagement.

Kids & I love it here! .

I know you're considering primary, and this may not be helpful, but...

I'm 39, I count one primary and two secondary as THE most influential people in my life. I even attended ones funeral, and promptly bawled my eyes out. I know my (grownup) Stepson and Daughter count their primary head as one of theirs too.

My husband started retraining as a teacher and ended up going back to his old job.

He went in eager to learn but found that his colleagues looked down on him, denigrated his previous work experience and generally speaking made his life a misery.

He experienced and witnessed lots of staff on staff bullying.

It's a shame as he's very calm, very well educated and his university tutor rated him highly.

All this to say - be very careful. Some schools are pressure cookers and staff under such pressure that they do things which I'm sure they wouldn't do in a calm and professional environment.

I am just completing a degree with the view of starting the Pgce. I am involved in my children's school so knew of the concerns. Whilst discussing this with another student who is just starting her degree, she said 'the system is so bad that it has to implode and then get better' that's why she is continuing with her Pgce. What do the teachers here think of that? I am undecided what to do about pgce, but have just done 3 years uni with that in mind.

Will it implode and get better?

I wouldn't recommend that anyone get in to education. Please don't ruin your life by doing this.

Will it implode and get better?

No, I don't think so. How does she think this will happen?

How old are your children? I trained last year when mine were 7 and 11 - I don't think I could have done it with them any younger. I have no idea how teachers manage their workload with babies or toddlers.

I don't regret retraining for a second. I used to work a very well paid 35 hour per week job. Now I work 60 hours per week for just over £22k (NQT wage) and any time I start to moan about the hard work or the hours I remember how I used to stare out of the window in my previous job literally crying with boredom.

It helps that DH is a SAHD so he takes up a lot of the slack at home. I make sure I give myself at least one whole day off at the weekend and am learning to prioritise what really needs to be done over what shortcuts you can take.

If it's what you really want you can do it but you will have to work hard. Personally I think it's worth it but can appreciate it's not for everyone.

I work full time- 4 days in class, 1 day as SENCO. As soon as I can find a suitable job, I intend to go part time. I am beginning to resent giving up raising my own DS in order to educate other people's DC.

I want to spent time with my family, I don't want to eat stuff out the freezer all the time because I don't have time to cook, I want time to exercise. I don't want to be trying to edge friends out the door after Sunday lunch so I can get on with the work.

I enjoy working with the children. I love a lot of the things we teach. I don't want all the crap which goes with it.

I'm in primary. I work 8am til 6pm mon-fri. Once or twice a week I work until 8pm ish. Really really try not to have work at the weekend as it makes me miserable. The workload is intense. Sometimes when I'm driving home I just feel this pain of stress thinking about my never ending to do list. Generally, I love the job. I really really love building a relationship with the pupils. They make me smile as soon as they come in. I enjoy planning and resourcing but it's time consuming. Some bits of paperwork are unnecessary. Marking takes a great deal of my time and marking writing can be soul destroying. Holidays are so great. I try not to work too much in them. In school I'm very much 'on the go' all the time. Literally running around. It's never boring and time flies at an insane rate. On balance, I'd still recommend it if you are passionate and love working with children. I'm currently childless. Working mum colleagues find it tougher.

How does she think this will happen?

I think she feels as its so bad, it can only get better. It can't carry on like this, she didn't mention politics. Surely she has a point? How can they want high achieving children, with the sats, new spag etc but have only nqt's teaching until they get burnt out. All the experienced teachers are leaving. I want to teach but not in this environment. What will it be like in 10 years? Is it worth looking at forest schools etc?

Thank you for all the honest answers. It has confirmed what I had heard previously anyway.
If anyone would like to come up with a different career for me let me know!

What about a Higher Level Teaching Assistant? You will still do a lot of hands on teaching - some small groups, some whole class - but have less paperwork like report writing, assessment tracking etc. Pay isn't as much though.

Advice to try getting a TA job first as a trial run is not a bad idea, but I'd be astounded if you find it that easy.Most schools are now making well-qualified, experienced TAs redundant due to the horrendous budget cuts, in a bid to try to retain the teachers they need.

OP, if you need any degree of job security, then teaching won't be the answer. The planned Tory cuts will be deep , and it'll take education in this country a long time to turn things around.

Devorak: ....anyone working all weekends or 60 hours isn't doing it properly and needs to reassess their suitability.

Piffle.

(I had a longer answer - but if you can't be arsed to read the relevant statistics, I can't be arsed to explain them).

Ex-teacher with over thirty years experience.