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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To retrain as a teacher at 54?

147 replies

Goblincore · 04/08/2021 09:59

The job I currently have is looking like it might not go on for much longer. Its a design and marketing role that I've had for years. I have a degree in English Literature and was looking at pgce
There's a good one at Exeter University which isn't a million miles away.

Am I mad to consider it? I'm sure English teachers are ten a penny wishes she'd done computer science or something

I mean they probably won't accept me anyway.

OP posts:

Lanique · 04/08/2021 18:30

I nearly left my job in design and marketing two years ago to become a teacher. I'm 45. I did some experience in a school, and read a lot about it, including on here, and I was eventually put off. It was a good experience though, especially as it gave me an excuse to mug up on my subject!

I decided instead to focus on my freelance work and appreciate the fact I earn almost as much as a NQT but only have to work half the hours!

Lanique · 04/08/2021 18:31

Good luck to all those starting. It will always be 'the career that got away' for me.

cherrybonbons · 04/08/2021 18:35

I think a lot depends on the school.
I am a TA, have been for years (early thirties) have been told by numerous colleagues to go for teaching.

Have recently considered it... my SLT actually told me not too in this current climate (he is basing this on covid and ofsted)

But I have 2 children, a nice life and good work life balance. I have another occupation I also do which brings in good money.

I am desperate to train as a teacher but I also know that the financial gain wouldn't come for many years (£10k to do a PGCE plus loss of earnings for a year- to then have a starting salary of £22k if I went full time)
It would impact the time with my children and not give me a balance I want. However, I know I would love it.
So maybe in a couple of years.
It all depends- I think you need to gain some experience in schools before you make any decision.

Soontobe60 · 04/08/2021 18:41

@Goblincore

A TA earns about 12k here and they don't seem to have them in secondary school

How much do you think an NQT earns?

newnortherner111 · 04/08/2021 18:42

Go for it, you could give ten years or so to teaching.

Blueby1 · 04/08/2021 18:50

Hi OP, give Transition to Teach a call if you live in the north - looking into teaching with them and they’re super helpful.

MyShoelaceIsUndone · 04/08/2021 19:26

You’ve got maybe 10 or so years left at work (unless pension age changes again) of you want to do it why not

Moonlaserbearwolf · 04/08/2021 19:27

OP, I spent a term volunteering in a school before deciding to do a SCITT. I would really recommend this so you can get a feel for school life. I emailed a few local schools and had no trouble getting a volunteer place, which quickly turned into paid work due to staff shortage.

If you could offer one of the in demand subjects like maths, chemistry, physics or MFL, I would be more positive about a career change at 50+. With English or other subjects that don’t offer bursaries, I would be more cautious.

Musmerian · 04/08/2021 19:29

Not sure about your political leanings OP but having done my NQT year in a state school I then moved to the independent sector. This wasn’t by design at the time - I was looking for jobs having only taught for a year and having had two years out. I do think it’s the reason why I still enjoy it so much. We are treated like intelligent human beings, there is much greater flexibility in terms of what and how I teach compared to many academies now who have very rigid ideas . My department (I’ve been there 16 years) are some I’m my favourite people and have become great friends. There are challenges of course and it’s very full on but I really get a chance to use my subject knowledge and passion for literature. It can be a very different job depending on where you are.

motherrunner · 04/08/2021 19:31

I’m a 42 year old English teacher. Been teaching since I was 21. Think you need to volunteer in a school before deciding on if it is the career for you. I’m experienced, love the job but I’m exhausted - especially after the last 18 months. you need to see what teaching really entails - it isn’t just standing up and talking about books (which is what I actually thought my English teachers did when I was a teenager!).

mrcow · 04/08/2021 19:33

I know it’s not quite the same age, but I did my PGCE at 38 (feeling old at the time!) and never looked back. I am now head of a large and successful department. Life is too short to live with the “what ifs”. Just do it - good teaching is not about your age, or your degree level. It’s about your passion and professionalism. Good luck x.

MumofSpud · 04/08/2021 19:34

I am starting my assessment only in September at the school where I have a support role - I will be 50 in January

TheTallOakTrees · 04/08/2021 19:57

Go for it.

firstimemamma · 04/08/2021 20:01

I did a pgce back in 2013 and it was very hard. There was a lady on my course your age so of course it's an option but please think carefully. The first reply you had about someone being a ta and loving it is completely irrelevant and misleading. I was a ta before I was a teacher and can 100% say the 2 jobs are entirely different. As a teacher you have planning, reports, observations, paperwork and more. I arrived at school before 8 and was working most evenings and most Saturdays. I left teaching and am very happy now. I'm not saying don't do it but just give it some careful consideration. It's not the same job it was when you or I were children and there's a lot of scrutiny now as well as box-ticking admin which takes up a lot of time. I really hope you don't mind me saying all this and if you go for it then I really do wish you all the best with it and it definitely has its rewarding and lovely moments.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 04/08/2021 20:14

You've got experience of TEfL. SLT would be rubbing their hands with glee.

You'd be given all the classes with non English speakers and very low ability/SEN/Behavioural issues. But still be expected to demonstrate the same level of improvements for all of them as for classes full of kids without such challenges.

CarrieBlue · 04/08/2021 20:20

I'm 51 and I am about to start English teacher training in FE in Sept. As another poster mentioned, though many teachers are leaving at this age this is probably because they've spent the last 30 years doing it. We haven't. We're new. We're fresh! So we are a bargain - we have age and experience but we're cheap!

But no relevant experience of teaching day in, day out. Being dismissive of experienced teachers before you’ve even started training is not the best way to start.

PumpkinPie2016 · 04/08/2021 20:24

Your age definitely shouldn't be a barrier -mature applicants have a lot to offer.

I teach and hold a middle leadership position. I'm 34 and trained from uni so different to your situation.

I love the job, I genuinely do. My school is great which massively helps (it's a state comprehensive).

The PGCE/NQT(now ECT) years are tough going. It gets easier in some ways after that but there's no getting away from the fact that it is a very demanding job. The mental and physical energy required is a lot!

I would strongly recommend spending some time in a secondary school and speaking to staff/shadowing them for a day to get a proper feel for the job and decide whether it would suit you.

Dontfuckingsaycheese · 04/08/2021 22:51

@CarrieBlue I'm sorry you thought my post came across as critical of teaching staff. I was addressing op's fears of being a little older. I was trying to highlight the positives as many posters on here have pointed out that at our age many seasoned teachers are choosing to leave the profession. Some have said how worn out and jaded they feel. It is also a fact that teachers' pay increases with their years in service. We won't be commanding such a high rate so we will be cheaper. I am under no illusions that this will be easy. I look forward to learning to be the best teacher I can be guided by the teachers I have been working with over the last couple of years. I am fully respectful of those who do it well and fully supportive of those who struggle to do it well. It's been a tough couple of years, with lines blurring more due to online working, isolating staff etc. Due to the circs I've gone above and beyond my role to support our team and ensure positive outcomes for our students.

Intherightplace · 04/08/2021 22:54

*A TA earns about 12k here and they don't seem to have them in secondary school

How much do you think an NQT earns?*

Twice that and £30k within 4 years, potential for more if they start taking extra responsibilities . The TA's salary will never increase.

Puffalicious · 04/08/2021 22:59

A lot of the ‘problems’ come from inexperienced staff being promoted too high with not enough experience to manage people properly

Abso-bloody-lutely this! They all seem to be PE teachers in my/ surrounding areas! After 27 years I know what I'm doing, thank you very much, but am open to new ways of thinking all the time: I am NOT past it just because I'm 50 this year FFS. Show me a teacher with a few years experience with results to match mine and I'll gladly retire early.

Biblionerd · 04/08/2021 23:04

I'm about to start my teacher training year as a very mature student, and when I went to meet others who be training alongside me, was surprised I was not the oldest one there. I'm doing it as a SCITT, look at courses, make sure they've got QTS (Qualified Teacher Status), the ITT route is becoming more popular. Age is no issue, training providers want passion and ability. Go for it!!

Notebooksarefabulous · 04/08/2021 23:09

Someone above said "the kids wont know you are NQT" - Yes they most probably will! They have a sixth sense for spotting a newbie.

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