To ask: how many good teachers are we losing this year?

[SachaStark]

I am one of you.

Asking partly out of a place of seeking solidarity as I plan to leave a profession I love very much, but which has exhausted me both mentally and physically in just six years.

And partly because I think many parents still need to be made aware of how many teachers their children will lose over their school careers these days. I think, really, we need to rely on their voices to speak up in vast numbers before any changes will be made in state education.

We are a month now from the end of the school year in England, so notice hand-in period has ended, and I wondered how many, like me, who are passionate teachers, who in another life would have spent another few decades in the profession, are going?

I left at Christmas. It was the best decision I have ever made! I have my life back and I'm so much happier. I would 100% recommend leaving the professional! It's just not worth it.

who wants an expensive part time teacher

This is a massive problem and I can’t see how it’s going to get any better.

Heads could have me on 3 days or an NQT full time and a class is covered-it’s a no brainer. I couldn’t go back full time if I wanted to at my school and all the local schools advertise for is NQTs- I’m just too expensive! Pay portability is gone so I’m not entitled to my ups3 any more. Pension plans are looking crap!

The outstanding primary I work at is losing 7 teachers this year. All of them are very good teachers and will be missed.

I don’t want to turn the thread into a private vs state debate, so will just simply state that I purely don’t believe in elitism in education, so I can’t work in a private school, @ThePurpleHeffalump. I have no issue with anybody who uses/works at a private school.

Thank you for your support, @IggyAce. I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say that we really appreciate parents like you.

Sacha you are right about the 70s. Teaching is a wonderful thing to do, but when experienced teachers are leaving for the reasons given here, things need to change.

I’m on my 27th year. Still love it and they’ll have to carry me out. BUT I teach in an independent secondary school, smaller class sizes, supportive parents, fab colleagues, reasonable SLT and sensible workload. I’m experienced enough not to stress over planning and I commute so have to leave on the dot of 4 to catch train most days. I’m very efficient with marking and planning and don’t do much at weekends and holidays. Have avoided promotion to ensure balance. This is what it should be like once you’ve got through the steep learning curve of the first few years.

I left last year after 8 years. I am SOOOO much happier now. I'll never go back.

I left to do supply.

Makes such a difference - I have friends, hobbies and a social life now as well as actually being able to spend time with my own children.

Four of my former and current colleagues have left the profession this year. All were very good teachers.

This is what it should be like once you’ve got through the steep learning curve of the first few years

You say this, but...

I teach in an independent secondary school, smaller class sizes, supportive parents, fab colleagues, reasonable SLT and sensible workload

This makes all the difference!

Not in our (state) school. I’m 32 years in and still loving every day. It makes me so mad that young vibrant teachers are leaving so early in their careers. No one leaves our school unless for retirement or promotion.
And yes, we know how fortunate we are!

Haha, the steep learning curve of the first few years would be far more manageable if that wasn’t also the average turnover time for government announcing yet more curriculum changes!

Let’s plan it all again from scratch! 🎉

I’m currently on maternity leave but trying to work out what to do so I don’t have to go back to teaching. I’ve managed 11 years, although I’ve had 2 off for ML and have just started my 3rd. I’ve been saying I need to get out for about 9 years.

I think I’m good and I left at easter after 20 years.

SachaStark although it is a private company, I wouldn’t class it as private education. It is becoming more common for the LEA to find places and it follows the NC. Its SLT are all ex state school teachers and the fees are low in comparison to private school, about the same as LEA funding for KS3.

Think I was replying to the poster above you, @Taxiparent! Reckon we cross-posted.

I have a couple of colleagues in my profession who went into teaching for a better work life balance and are happy with it. No job is ideal and they all have their challenges. Teaching is at least more family friendly than many and with a very good pension. But it’s not for everyone

I'm on mat leave and I won't be going back. The last class I had, while I was pregnant, broke me. I started teaching in 2003.

I work four days. I miss a full time salary. but there’s no way I’d be able to cope, physically or mentally, if I were full time. The workload is enormous and behaviour is getting worse.

I left because it had reached the point where neither the parents (of the relevant students) nor SLT seemed to have any expectation that the students would behave. It was like talking at the wall. Racism, truancy, persistent disruption, bullying of other students, physically dangerous behaviour, abusive behaviour - all seemed to receive the same underwhelming response. It was usually positioned as something I had done: “Why does my child feel the need to disrupt your lesson, MrsPoirot?” Etc. Management response to poor behaviour was so inconsistent and weak it’s hard to describe it.

Left after 12 years. Couldn't even make part time work.

Me, I couldn't face going back once I had my own children as I knew I wouldn't be able to cope with the hours and the pressure as well as be a mum to my 2 kids.

I opened my own childcare business but I do worry about what I can do now the kids are older as I could do with security such as a pension and holiday pay and sick pay.

What has everyone else gone on to do?

who wants an expensive part time teacher

Those that can't recruit any other teachers.

Those that can't recruit any other teachers.

Well, schools here are using HLTAs and supply teachers rather than the willing and able (and Good!) expensive teachers available as they are cheap. There are a glut of supply agencies ready and waiting and it’s cheaper to fill an expensive jobshare vacancy with a supply teacher then with a ups teacher.

May obviously be different in other areas where they struggle to recruit but this is happening a lot locally.

I've been out for about 3 years. I went into indie from state and then made the mistake of switching back to state sector (much smaller commute etc). It was so bad I left altogether and went back to industry. At least half the people I trained with 10 years ago don't teach any more and don't have a good word to say about it. It still makes me sick to the pit of my stomach if I think about it. Took me a couple of years to stop having nightmares about certain classes. Vile, racist, arrogant kids and misogynistic boys plus all of the pointless paperwork and lack of creativity ruined it in a surprisingly short time for me.