To wish I’d gone for a different age range?

[Wishiddoneprimary]

When I was 21, I signed up for a secondary PGCE and regretted it and wished I’d done primary.

I couldn’t really apply for primary teaching roles as no experience or training and I’d have been competing against others with the training (when I qualified there was actually a surplus of primary teachers!)

It’s a small regret but really think I’d have been so much happier … waiting for MN primary teachers to tell me I’m UR!

I'm not a teacher but spend quite bit of time in schools. The last year of primary I'm guessing is exactly like first year of high school. Lots of drama, falling out, hormones. The nicest year seems to be year 4, independent enough but still sweet and keen

And not sure if it's our primary but omg the parents. The teachers have to deal with some crap at pick up from various parents

@PaddlingLikeADuck

Asking seriously….

Why would anyone choose to teach pupils of secondary school age, which all the challenges that must involve, over the option of teaching much cuter and sweeter 4-10 year old children?

I honestly don’t understand why secondary school age would be someone’s preference?

Because small kids are exhausting.

I teach secondary and no way could I do primary!

I don’t care enough about the tiny stone Jonny found over the weekend that he needs to tell me all about.

Why would anyone choose to teach pupils of secondary school age, which all the challenges that must involve, over the option of teaching much cuter and sweeter 4-10 year old children?

Because they are amusing, entertaining, engaging, lovely, care about stuff and have opinions,and you shape them into young men and women.

I taught secondarydart for 26 years. The kids were amazing. The system is shit. But I’d frequently have to hide in the stock room at the funny things they said as l was laughing so much.

I spent a day in a primary class as part of my PGDE secondary training. Primary 3. A wee boy drooled on my arm. One had wiped a bogey on the worksheet I was meant to correct.

I couldn't get out of there fast enough.

God i couldn't do primary! My good friend is a primary teacher and she has far more to do out of the classroom. She has to work most weekends and part of her holidays too!

In secondary, anyone you don't like is gone after an hour, til the next day anyway. The kids are more interesting, you get to teach your subject to a proper depth and the other teachers in the staffroom as far less "happy clappy"!!!

I stay at school from 8 til 530 but I never take work home with me.

We don’t have a staff room, in fact

@PaddlingLikeADuck

Asking seriously….

Why would anyone choose to teach pupils of secondary school age, which all the challenges that must involve, over the option of teaching much cuter and sweeter 4-10 year old children?

I honestly don’t understand why secondary school age would be someone’s preference?

Prefer older children. Less baby minding, more mature conversation.

I couldn’t think of anything worse!

I teach secondary and secretly dread my new year 7s and 8s - I always think how difficult it must be having 30 little ones running around!

Year 10s and 11s are so much easier!!

@ChocolateMassacre

I've often wondered how primary teachers get to the loo/get a hot drink ever. Wouldn't like to be pregnant as a primary teacher .

It was bad at my DS's nursery but the ratios were smaller. Being able to handle 30 tiny children, get them to sit still some of the time against their basic natures, deal firmly with hitting, wandering off and 'accidents', and still be one of the people that most of those small children love most in the world is no small achievement. I lack the serenity for it, I think !

Also, you can be more honest with older children. I remember meeting one of my brother's teachers in the supermarket with his trolley loaded with booze. When my brother tactlessly commented (nothing rude, just "having a party, sir?), he was told, "No, I need it after a week dealing with you lot. This is what you drive me to!" My parents thought this was hilarious.

1. They don't.
2. I was pregnant twice - it was horrific.

Primary is great though :)

Also with primary you need to know everything whereas secondary you only need to know your specialism.

I prefer secondary. I've got one very low ability year 8 class and i don't enjoy teaching them much.

Of course there are 'characters' at secondary school but the vast majority are polite, interesting, funny, likeable young people

Teaching younger children is not the same as teaching low ability older children!!

You are probably teaching your older children things many other people have tried to teach them and maybe they are never really going to get there. They are probably demotivated and alienated by being labeled 'low ability' by the system and as a resut have become unrewarding to teach.

That is not the same scenario as teaching a younger child the same content for the first time.

The best teacher my DD had in Primary School came from a local secondary school. He knew the expectations of the senior schools and really helped in transition by setting standards. Personally I went from teaching Secondary to HE. The older the students are, the happier I am.

There are different stresses in Primary - you are with the same children all day, every day unless the school sets for Maths and English. There is a lot more monitoring of teaching and marking in Primary.

Before you make any major decisions why not try arranging a visit to a Primary School and spending a day or even a week there? Also, are there any HE institutions near you where you could apply for a post in teacher training and use your expertise that way?

@Wishiddoneprimary

Having year 8 all day every day is seriously the stuff of nightmares for me.

Ha! Same. Or year 8 AND 9! I love been teaching about the same length of time as you and I hate it. I tried to leave but covid financial issues mean I'm back. One day....