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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to think being a teacher/teaching assistant is worthwhile just for the holidays?

177 replies

MrsCD67 · 16/05/2018 20:42

Just that really!
I'd love to know what teachers/TAs think of their jobs- pros and cons.
Of course it would be unreasonable to take a teaching assistant job just for the holidays but it's just so tempting for me as I want a work/life balance!

What are school holidays like for teachers/TAs in terms of workload?
Thanks!

OP posts:

Ohlellykelly · 16/05/2018 20:45

Teachers don't really get much time to themselves in the holidays, so much work to do. Same for evenings and weekends. Can't speak for TAs.

Pauperlil · 16/05/2018 20:49

I wanted to be a TA and partly cos of the hols , and I be off with the kids no childcare needed but after a while working as a dinner lady and doing volunterty TA I didn’t enjoy working in a school it wasn’t worth the hols! but that’s just personal to me

HugeAckmansWife · 16/05/2018 20:51

If you have kids then it obviously makes the childcare issue easier but it also means you get no time to yourself because when you're off, they're off too. I suppose it depends what you mean by 'life'! Also unless you are lucky enough to have a really decent HoD you won't be able to go to your own kids' nativities, sports day etc.

Passportto · 16/05/2018 20:51

It depends on the school to some extent, but I'd be absolutely completely amazed to learn of a TA who was dong much work at all in the holidays and I have experience of working in lots of schools.

Teachers do do more in the holidays but they don't by any means work all holiday. I have known lots who go away for the full six weeks in the summer for example, who else gets that opportunity?

TAs are exceptional badly paid, their holidays are unpaid and their day short, so they usually only get around 60% of the full time salary.

Teachers, no matter what they will tell you are actually pretty well paid after a few years in the job IMO.

grasspigeons · 16/05/2018 20:51

teachers and TA's are on very different terms and conditions for employment.

TAs don't really work in the school holidays. Teachers do.

I work at a school in the office and yes the holidays are really good if you have school children too as you don't have to worry about childcare and the summer holiday is a real joy.

However, they are all unpaid and not in anyway flexible . Before I worked in a school I got 6 weeks paid leave. think of that 6 weeks pay for doing nothing at all. And I could tag days onto weekends and have the odd long weekend when prices where lower - or visit something when it wasn't full of school kids. So there are downsides.

KeithLeMonde · 16/05/2018 20:51

There are some good admin/finance/IT jobs in schools too, although the pay is low - but you get the holidays :) (usually - some support roles are full time)

FlyingElbows · 16/05/2018 20:52

Yep it's all about the holidays and only working 9-3!! Go on teachers, fill your boots...

Buildalegohouse · 16/05/2018 20:53

Well the holidays do give TAs a decent work life balance but they don’t get paid for them and so average TA wage is pretty poor.

Teachers have notoriously poor work life balance despite the holidays. See one of the many other threads on this topic for more info...

Notlostjustexploring · 16/05/2018 20:54

Couldn't pay me enough to be a teacher. Never. Not a chance. No way.

If it's work/life balance I know some places do flexible working (not just claiming to), for example I think some people working at HMRC do term time working contracts.

peachgreen · 16/05/2018 20:54

I was a teacher for a while and it was by far the toughest job I've ever had, and with the longest hours. Yes, you get holidays but honestly, the summer is the only one where you don't have to work through it (and a few days over Christmas) and even then it's maybe 4 weeks, and it doesn't make up for all the hours you spend in the evenings and weekend planning and marking. I have a "normal" job now and have a much better work/life balance - it feels like I get loads more holiday to be honest.

Passportto · 16/05/2018 20:57

Yes, of course I should have said you really need to want to do it. You won't last five minutes in either job unless you love it, have an aptitude for it and can't imagine doing anything else.

MsJaneAusten · 16/05/2018 20:57

Popcorn anyone?

essietopcoat · 16/05/2018 20:57

Not if you don't like it! Teaching tends to be v hard work and long hours in term time - I decided I would rather have shorter holidays but have time to relax or go out in the evenings and have my weekends free.

As pp have said TAs are badly paid and you have to like the work.

PinguDance · 16/05/2018 20:58

I’m a TA and though the holidays are great I’m too poor to go anywhere

Babynonamee · 16/05/2018 20:58

Noooooway!
Not worth it. Teachers end up working at least 50% of the holidays.
And they are so inflexible. Can't ever book a day off during the week as annual leave.

redcarbluecar · 16/05/2018 21:00

Teachers' holidays are great, but I wouldn't say the job is worth doing just for that- if that type of work doesn't suit you it would be pretty stressful and horrible.

PinguDance · 16/05/2018 21:00

Also I like being a TA but I’m looking for a job with less holiday More pay- and where I can walk down a corridor unimpeded and not have to say ‘are you CHEWING?’ -approx 14 times a day.

Showergel1 · 16/05/2018 21:01

Hahahahahahaha. No.
Maybe if you teach secondary P. E.
Primary can easily clock up 70 hour weeks and the pressure of always being able (or being asked to) do more takes its toll mentally.
TA is better in terms of workload but is poorly paid and often dealing with difficult behaviour. Majority of holidays are unpaid.

LePamplemoussse · 16/05/2018 21:04

TAs have a thankless job and pay is appalling, being a teacher is much better but a lot harder job obviously as you need a degree. Not comparable at all imo.

MsJaneAusten · 16/05/2018 21:06

There’s also the added problem of dealing with all the parents who think you have an easy job, are paid too much, and do bugger all for 13 weeks a year...

ificouldwritealettertome · 16/05/2018 21:07

We have 3 teachers in the family and they all moan constantly about how utterly shit it is to be a teacher so I would assume no, not worth it.

elephantoverthehill · 16/05/2018 21:07

OK I'll bite Maybe if you teach secondary P. E. What no GCSE PE, no BTech, no after school fixtures?

gingerbreadbiscuits · 16/05/2018 21:14

The holidays are good but you are only paid for the statutory minimum and the rest are unpaid despite often having to work in them. They don’t make up for the 60 hours plus of work a week much of it intense without a break and impossible goals.

This year I will be one of many teachers leaving teaching adding to the national teacher shortage. I like many other teachers are leaving despite the holidays. If it was worth it for just the holidays there would not be a retention/recruitment crisis.

Passportto · 16/05/2018 21:15

I agree elephant. I work in a PRU, where admittedly teaching workloads are much lighter than mainstream (we face other issues!) but I'd say the PE teacher does more outside of hours than any other teacher.

Mrsfw · 16/05/2018 21:16

OUCH! ‘Maybe if you teach secondary PE’
I do. In at 7.30, leave at 7-7.30. Also spend half term on residential. Yes I have marking in addition to practical preparation, GCSE & A level. Let’s not be silly now....

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