Any educational psychologists out there?

[OhioOhioOhio]

I'm considering this as a profession.

Do you get the same holiday entitlement as teachers or does it differ?

No you don’t get school holidays.

Thank you. That's what puts me right off. A payrise, but less holidays.

I’m not but friend is. You get “regular” holidays. Friend gets 4 weeks plus 8 public holidays or something like that.

Thank you. I had thought this would be a good option. Totally changed my mind now.

I know an EP who works term time only for a local authority, but she’s on a lower salary than colleagues with 30 days annual leave.

Thank you. From your experience of the EPs you know, do they have a very stressful workload?

You need a PhD to be an educational psychologist. If the only thing you’re concerned about is the holidays, it is definitely not for you.

Do you? I thought if you had an honours degree you needed a transfer course? Oh well. I agree. Don't think it's for me either. Would rather have chairs thrown at me and get the holidays.

Yep I’m one. As pp said it’s regular holiday entitlement, but lots of local authorities will let you work term time only, but they work it out as a part time salary.

Stress levels wise, speaking for myself I find it way less stressful than teaching and I absolutely love it. Would never go back. But there is a lot of variation between services and I do know some psychologists who get quite stressed.

Thank you. That's what I think. To get rid of all of the classroom management issues and concentrate on individuals and theory. It does look less intense. Do you mind telling me how you transferred from one career to the other?

It’s a long training route. I didn’t have an undergrad degree in Psychology, so first I had to do a Masters Conversion course. You can do these full time, part time or distance learning.
Then you need to get on a doctoral training course. I was lucky and got on first time but it’s quite common to apply for a few years before getting on. Places are limited because they’re government funded and you get a bursary to live on for the 3 years (usually 16-20k ish depending where you train).

Although I love the job, training is not for the faint hearted. It is very hard work. Brought back memories of the PCGE. More interesting and satisfying but also much more academically challenging, and obviously much longer.

The website of the ‘association of educational psychologists’ (our union) has a very comprehensive section all about training, worth checking out!

It’s a hugely long training course!

Process, not course.

You've all been very helpful. This isn't for me.
Any ideas how I get out of class teaching?

are you prepared to do any retraining or do you need to walk straight into a new job? Can you take a pay cut?

Yes I'm prepared to do more training. I'm a single mum, couldn't spend a lot on training. Don't want a pay cut. I don't mind the teaching, it's all the shit that goes with it.

In the local authority where I work the advisory teachers seem to be very happy! Excellent pay and none of the stress of everyday teaching. They still get holidays too. Worth trying for?

When I first started teaching I remember it used to be possible to "convert" with a masters from teaching to Ed Psych. I wish I'd done it then!

I'm not able to move house and work full time for 3 years or we would.

I too need a plan B and haven't found it yet. Minimum wage librarian...

I might look into converting. I feel like if I was more interested in being an actress I'd be more recognised as a good teacher. It's all become too much.

What's an advisory teacher?

Keep a look out for Education Welfare Officer jobs. That’s working with families and schools helping to keep attendance up and supporting when kids struggle to go in. Decent pay, interesting job, you’ve got relevant experience!

An advisory teacher works for the local authority usually, and advises schools in specific areas, e.g. particular subjects, assessment, special needs etc. They often contribute to training days. I’m surprised you’ve never met any!!

I'm in Scotland. We've maybe a different name for the same position. You are all very helpful. Thank you.

I’m in Scotland too and left education last year. I’ve never heard of Advisory Teacher, maybe it’s the same as Guidance?

As a pp mentioned EWO might be a path, there is also a role called Home Link Teacher which combines some elements of the EWO role and quite a bit of social work.

There are teaching roles that are peripatetic like EAL and Support for Learning which might suit you better. Good luck.

Thank you.