AIBU to leave teaching for civil service in search of better work/life balance?

[Scatterbrainbox]

Just that really.
I'm an experienced primary school teacher with SLT responsibilities. I earn just shy of 40k and work a ridiculous number of hours. In school 7.30am to 6pm, 1-2 hours when I get home and most of Sunday. I expect to work about 2 full weeks of the summer hoIs. I am also the SENDCo for my school.
I have taught for 10 years, before this I worked in financial services sales.
I am applying for jobs in the civil service at HEO and SEO grades. I am not shy of hard work and I am ambitious, but I feel like I never see my own children. I don't mind working under pressure when at work. Or even bringing a bit home. But not to the extent I am.
Am I being realistic thinking that my work/life balance will improve dramatically with the roles I am applying for?
I don't want to jump out of the frying pan and into the fire... I am doing well at work and will realistically go for a deputy head role in a year or so if I stay in teaching.
I'm only 40 and will need to work into my 60s...I can't face the thought of these working hours for all that time!!
My older children are teens, partner works from home a lot and the roles I am applying for have some scope for working from home.. so childcare in the hols isn't an issue.
I'd really like to hear people's experiences...
Thanks

Can anyone working for the civil service explain what their job entails in layman’s terms for me? Having only ever worked in education I just don’t understand what the job roles on the adverts actually involve!

I have worked for the CS and am now in local government. Like a PP I have given up recording my flexi at 40 hours in credit because I will never get to take it. We are under resourced and over worked, but I imagine a drop in the ocean compared to teaching. My department is full of ex- or would be teachers!

@Clarkey86

Can anyone working for the civil service explain what their job entails in layman’s terms for me? Having only ever worked in education I just don’t understand what the job roles on the adverts actually involve!

It's difficult to explain because policy roles can be very reactive. But, say, you're the policy lead on maternity leave - day to day, you would answer letters from the public on maternity leave, draft answers to parliamentary questions, support the Minister in any debates on the subject. You would need to understand maternity leave policy well to do that.

Then sometimes you will get involved with a change in policy - say, you might see research suggesting that shortening maternity leave would be better for business and the government might be looking for ideas to help business post pandemic so you might then advise the Minister, having looked into all the research and spoken to stakeholders. Then you might support the development of primary or secondary legislation through parliament. You would then implement the policy, e.g. writing guidance for individuals and employers, publicising the changes etc.

But it all varies a lot, this was an attempt to sketch it out

Could you look at changing school? My cousin left mainstream teaching to teach in a pupil referral unit. He loves it, and it revived his love for teaching. No homework to mark. Small classes. Pupils' behaviour can be challenging, but high staffing ratios and management are supportive. He felt there was nothing to lose by trying this. If he hadn't enjoyed it, then the additional experience would have been beneficial if he'd gone back to mainstream

Just jumping on in regards to progression OP. I joined civil service from private sector in Sept 20 at HEO level.
I've already been approached about applying for some promotion roles but I'm hoping to have another baby soon so I'm just sticking in the role I have for now, I know what I'm doing with no stress and so it suits me for now.
But they love the perspective I add coming from a different industry and I think it goes in my favour in a lot of ways and you'll have the same.
The work life balance is amazing. Loads of support too. And the pension is incredible. I took a pay cut to join the civil service but the pension makes up for it and not having to pay for as much childcare and getting to log off and not think about work over the weekend

@Fashio

Wrong school. No one should work on Sundays unless exam season.

In primary, a) there isn't an exam season and b) everyone works on Sundays - it's the only way to get the job done.

I too search Civil Service jobs but can't understand the roles....

I work for the MoD and really struggle with work life balance - probably not to the extent of a teacher!
Working with the Military who are probably earning double what I do for a comparative role but because they are paid '24/7' can mean that they expect you to put the hours in too!

I have a really interesting job but it can be stressful at times, I'm currently playing hardball with my hours after months of ridiculous ones!

I'm HEO, it's also hard finding decent staff to work for you, in the SouthEast the pay is not really attractive my EO has just left for another job, avoiding formal action for poor performance after months of coaching and training etc and the one before that I had at stage 3 dismissals for attendance but DBS were v reluctant to get rid of him!
It can be hard going sometimes!

I'm a grade 6 in CS and although there can be tough days and even weeks overall my work-life balance is fantastic!

Mmmmm maybe I need to move to another Govt Department!