Is teaching really that bad?

[Cremeegg456]

I did a secondary PGCE and gained a pass with Merit, and 'outstanding', that was 6 years ago and I've never completed my nqt year.
I know the PGCE isn't representative of what actual teaching is like though but I remember it being what seemed like a lot of unnecessary paperwork, but we also had the assignments on top.

I've done various work with young and elderly people since which I've enjoyed, but I've never made a lot more than minimum wage. Had zero hours contracts, agency work etc.

I did enjoy teaching but I am just not prepared to work evenings and weekends as well, it's just not worth having no life for me. Not prepared to work more than 45 hours a week.

But truthfully if I want a higher and more stable income I think I would have to go into it, if I'm thinking of buying a house, children etc in the next few years.

Would be interested to hear from people as to what their work life balance really is.

My first year was hell. I was working evenings till at least 8pm most nights. Partly because my department had 0 resources.
The 2nd year was much better.
It's a good job once your settled in but in my opinion you have to put the effort in and stay at one school otherwise its a nightmare. A bit like any career really. It's rough in the first couple of years and you're expected to put in 110%.
I'm 25 so am able to put the hours in. Im always amazed when people with young families make it through the nqt year.

Genuine question for all the teachers who dislike the kids' behaviour/parental pressures of teaching- why don't you go into teaching at a higher education facility? I teach at a university (post-graduate level) and there are zero behavioural or parental issues, as all my students are in their 20's or older and take the course very seriously. It's a real pleasure to teach them.

@Cremeegg456
You would need a masters and PhD, no?

@XelaM

Genuine question for all the teachers who dislike the kids' behaviour/parental pressures of teaching- why don't you go into teaching at a higher education facility? I teach at a university (post-graduate level) and there are zero behavioural or parental issues, as all my students are in their 20's or older and take the course very seriously. It's a real pleasure to teach them.

That needs a whole different type and level of degree. My BEd wouldn't get me anywhere near university teaching!

I have a Masters, but no PhD (I plan to do it but life keeps getting in the way) and I never had any teaching qualifications when I started, but I had over 10 years specific industry experience and the university was looking for practitioners, so I got lucky. The university then funds the postgraduate certificate in higher education for any full time tutors

I get to school around 6.40 and leave around 6 but I don't work evenings and weekends (London / core subject / secondary)

@XelaM. What industry/area, roughly?

@SenoraMiasma Law

Well I can understand why they took you on as you have professional expertise and obviously the degree/qualifications to practice. Not sure every field is like that.

I have as cruelly posted on another thread in ‘work’ about how hard it is moving from teaching to another post - the job market doesn’t always see the skills you bring, I think

Don’t know where the ‘as cruelly’ came from🙂

I know of a teacher who is an amazing and respected teacher yet they manage to mainly not take work home with them. They do paperwork on their commute. So they have got it sorted!

Meh. I am primary, 20+ years in, lead on 2 subjects, consistently assessed as a really effective teacher, mentored colleagues regionally in curriculum development and implementation. I have always been devoted to my work and absolutely loved aspects of it. Dyed in the wool educator. Have been at current excellent school for ages, great leadership with the right priorities, committed to workload reduction etc.
But still exiting. Day to day workload only manageable as have dropped to 4 days, and I still do work most evenings and definitely at weekends. Naturally extroverted, yet finding 20 years of relentlessly being "on", irrespective of what is going on in my life, has taken its toll. Being less than 100% not being an option.
The to do list which never goes away, and never feeling like you've cleared the decks and able to take a legitimate breather; the next thing should always have been done like, last term. Like a PP said, new directives on subject leadership have gone overboard.
The things which have earnt me professional recognition have come at a ridiculous cost, and my capacity to get great results from challenging cohorts arise from an unsustainable level of background preparation at a curriculum and resourcing level.
I anticipate feeling gutted when I leave, but I have to accept that I'm not going to be able to keep it up for another 20 years until I'm due to retire.

@Gingernutfool

I know of a teacher who is an amazing and respected teacher yet they manage to mainly not take work home with them. They do paperwork on their commute. So they have got it sorted!

Doing my paperwork whilst I drive would be hugely illegal.

I don’t know that I do loads at home, tbh.

I am definitely working just a few hours ahead of my classes. I have sometimes had to quickly put together some resources for the day during form time in the morning or even when teaching another class

I do mark work but not every night.

I wish I could do more.

I do 12 hours a day at school, except Fridays. I do a full day over the weekend. I am HOD of a core (marking heavy) subject 10 years of experience

If you don't want to do a 60hr week OP, do not teach.

@Evvyjb

That’s really unhealthy, there’s no way I’d work for that many hours, is it worth it?

@OnceuponaRainbow18 its your kids' education. If I don't do it, it doesn't happen... it's shit, but that's what teaching is now. It takes more hours than there is in any day, and remote learning had made us even more accessible.

@Evvyjb

I appreciate that and I’m also a teacher. The problem is by doing this it’s making it seem like what’s being asked of you is acceptable- so more and more will be given. I’d hate my kids teacher to sacrifice their own life for my child. I would never sacrifice my time spent with my own family for other kids.

@TracyMosby

Pensions are great? Compared to what?

The employers contribution is over 20% for a start. The minimum employer contribution for auto enrolment is 3% and that is what most people in the country will be getting. If you were to join a defined contribution scheme and want to have the same pension you’d find out you’d be paying in a hell of a lot more than you pay as a contribution into the teachers pension. I accept it’s not as good as it once was and that being a teacher is difficult but the pension is still amazing if you compare it to pretty much any other job. Maternity leave is also alot better than smp which most people are only entitled to.

I work in a secondary school but not in a teaching role. Teaching looks hideous and utterly thankless.

Teaching maternity pay is worse than all other council workers and all other professions I know. So I wouldnt say that a reason to teach at all. Statutory is 6 weeks 90% then statutory then £0 the last 3 months. Teaching is 12 weeks 90% then statutory then £0 last 3 months.

I honestly wouldn’t do it for the holidays unless you have lots of money already and a serious hobby that needs 4 weeks off on the trot.

28 days holiday can be taken around weekends and bank holidays potentially giving you a 4 day weekend every month, plus a whole week off a year. At a time that suits you and your budget and the things you want to do.
Teaching mean's 6 or 7 week terms ( evenings and weekends) no matter what’s going on in your personal life. No appointments, no afternoon off for something unexpected.

The summer holiday is sold as the big advantage. You get 5 and a half weeks summer holiday. Realistically on a teachers wage that’s still going to be one “going away”; holiday but at peak time, with families everywhere. The rest is time off whether you can use it or not.

This is a really interesting post, whilst not a teacher, I have worked in areas in which I have experienced similar to many of the teachers on here and have had to explain the realities of the industry/sector I work in to others who have shown interest for various reasons. I think some have been genuinely shocked at the realities of some areas of work, some don't quite believe it until they try it then end up running for the hills!

@Ki0612

Teaching maternity pay is worse than all other council workers and all other professions I know. So I wouldnt say that a reason to teach at all. Statutory is 6 weeks 90% then statutory then £0 the last 3 months. Teaching is 12 weeks 90% then statutory then £0 last 3 months.

Outside of the public sector most people only get statutory