To quit my job and become a primary school teacher?

[togointoteaching]

I currently work in the pharmaceutical industry and really dislike it. I don't like the corporate aspect and have always wanted a job where I feel like I'm making a difference. I worked in a nursery as a teenager and I really enjoyed working with children. I have also done some work experience in a primary school before I went to university and, again, really enjoyed it. I'm in my 20s with a science degree and master's.

Recently I've been seriously considering applying for a PGCE, a complete career change for me.

If you have experience of working as a primary school teacher, I'd really appreciate your advice

@togointoteaching

Thank you for the replies.

My current role is in marketing for a pharmaceutical company. We don't have any outreach programmes. The hours are long for my current job (9-5:30pm but often I work until 7:30pm most evenings) and it's stressful too.

You'll work MUCH longer hours as a primary teacher!! My average week is upwards of 70 hours...and that is still not enough (apparel 🤷‍♀️😨)

It depends.
Do you like being micro managed?
Do you like being forced to do things in a particular way because of this year's 'fad' when you know it isn't a way that will work for all your children?
Do you like being told to jump through some hoops, which you try to comply with only to be told on the next inspection the hoops are now different from the hoops they made you jump through last time?
Do you like having to herd 30 small dc into set boxes when they don't fit into those boxes?
Do you mind education ministers who never know anything about education making up targets which are truly not possible and then being blamed for the fact that the target hasn't being achieved ?because obviously you are all so rubbish at your job?
Do you mind seeing so many dc who have significant and complex needs been left in your care when they are unable to access the world around them, let alone the curriculum - just abandoned there because the Government won't pay for specialised, trained support for the most vulnerable ?
Do you like the one part of the job you actually chose to go into it for, being a decreasingly small amount (% wise) of your working hours?
Do you mind picking up the roles of all the support agencies (mental health, social care etc) that the Government has underfunded for decades but then continued to cut funding for, in your spare time, around the teaching role?
Do you mind being spat at, kicked, punched and hit ?
Do you mind not having chance to go to the toilet for 6 hours or more?

I’d spend some time in both primary and secondary to give you two perspectives

It's a great job with the right team around you.

I don't do masses outside of 8-6 Mon to Fri tbh, unless it's report writing season.

I find it tiring now as I'm in my 40s with two young children at home as well. Can't see me doing it for another 20 years!

It can get very stressful though, you have to get good at accepting that some lessons will just be good enough, and not be striving for constant perfection.

I moved from teaching to social work people think I'm crazy when I say that social work isn't as stressful! (it is still stressful but my hours are shorter than in teaching and generally a better work life balance)

I wouldn’t recommend it. I loved the children but the paperwork is endless, and term by term more of the joy of teaching was removed. Just follow the programme like an automaton. They’ll be employing robots soon.

I moved to an office job and love having my evenings free, being able to take short breaks, and not have the constant stress of teaching. I work far less hours and actually have a life outside work now.

I still like being a teacher, but I am an EYFS teacher in a nice school, you have to go in 100% determined to get a work life balance. I was a TA for 2 years before My pgce and worked with teachers who hated their jobs and some who loved their jobs. I went in and gave myself 2 years to work ungodly hours, which I did and needed to. Then I became determined to manage my time better, managing your hours has to be a top priority to avoid burnout. 8 years in I work 7.40 -4.30 each day and don't do a single minute in the holidays. I get good results and have worked up to the post threshold payscale so im still doing a good job. People who work until 10 at night and all weekend need to move school because that is ridiculous and certainly not what everyone in primary experiences.

You mention you worked in a nursery, maybe do an early years pgce (more people seem to enjoy working in this age group!).

I've been teaching for 30 years and used to love it but now I'm counting the years until I can retire.

The job has changed too much since I started. I'm fed up with targets and being micromanaged.

Maymaymay but you work in EYFS so you won’t need to work as long hours. I worked right through the school as a HLTA. Marking in Nursery and Reception is much quicker than marking Yr 6 work. I had some nights when I was marking until that time taking time off for my tea. I often didn’t finish until 5 or 6 due to having to write reports of incidences during that day. Sometimes I would have attended three in a day. So you had to wait until staff were available to write it together after school.
OP
Most of the teachers were there until 6 pm. Those that left earlier arrived earlier 7-7:30am. Then there are extra like trips and weekend opportunities like Ski ing, concert nights, parents evenings etc. I loved the job but the stress and the hours were considerable. It took its toll on me physically and mentally and many of my colleagues were the same. I retired at 63 after 30 years in childcare and Education.

I would also say look at the Children’s charities too. Two teachers I know left and work for a charity now. They have a better life balance and love the job.

You won’t earn much in the first couple of years. I was earning more than a NQT teacher. Some of the Academies are very corporate. I had friends leave the profession when the school became an Academy as they hated it. It seemed all about image and results and not about the individual child. Think long and hard. I also saw a lot of NQTs leave before completing there year and shattering their dream.

I am now working voluntarily for a charity. We are awaiting charity status. I feel it is very worthwhile and no stress.

Best but worst job in the world. I think I am done with teaching. It can be so rewarding but it’s also so bad for your own kids and own health. It’s ok with a good headteacher but so many make it an unbearable job for women aged 40+ with a family to look after.

@togointoteaching

Thank you for the replies.

My current role is in marketing for a pharmaceutical company. We don't have any outreach programmes. The hours are long for my current job (9-5:30pm but often I work until 7:30pm most evenings) and it's stressful too.

As you are in a marketing role currently, will you be able to teach marketing to university students? Most universities value industry experience, and a PhD is not essential in many teaching focused universities. Workload is much less compared to primary schools. Check jobs.ac.uk for lecturer in marketing jobs

Read put a wet paper towel on it and listen to two mr p in a podcast podcast

Why? The pay is a pittance and you're treated appallingly.

I disagree that EYfS teachers work shorter hours in general. A lot depends on the expectations of your school for paperwork, individualised planning for SEN children, resourcing, displays, meetings etc. In my school all teachers work similar hours eg 7.30am- 6pm with a 30 min lunch break. Some leave earlier and do a bit at home. It's tiring work to be honest but I love it.

I feel like people who have only ever worked in education have a warped view of how "hard" the job is. I've done my PGCE this year and having worked in marketing previously, I can honestly say this year has not been as hard as I had been led to believe. Yes I work in the evenings. Yes I usually work for 4-6 hours one day at a weekend BUT I enjoy it, it's rewarding, I get 13 weeks per year at home with my son in school holidays. It's the best decision I've ever made, don't let miserable, negative people put you off!

I posted before reading the full thread - the negativity on here is overwhelming. I would ignore all comments OP (particularly those who have left "after 20 years" a it's a different job now), get some voluntary experience, speak to some teachers who don't hate their job and make your own mind up. Threads on here do not reflect the mindset of the teachers I've worked with.

Oh, 1 other point, the hours I work at evening and weekends currently are mainly catching up on uni assignments/paperwork. I will not need to do so much once qualified.

CheekySwifter you did your PGCE this year? So you haven’t had full class responsibility? You do know how much your class teacher mentor was doing behind the scenes on top of what you were doing while you had their class for barely a term at a time, much less in the first 2 terms. Good luck with full class and subject responsibility - it’s going to be a shock. From a teacher with 16 years experience.

I’m also going to say it’s hard, but not unmanageable in the right school. I’d really advise you to consider secondary too. Teenagers are awesome, you’ll be in demand as a science specialist and, although classroom teacher pay is the same as primary there are way more tlr opportunities in secondary and pay for leadership roles is far better. I also think workload is slightly better in secondary.

@thegreenlight I have worked in schools for years so this is not my only experience. It's so sad that a profession responsible for sparking a love of knowledge and education are SO NEGATIVE about it.

CheekySwifter I love my job and I’m very good at it, thank you very much. Im just saying that comparing a PGCE to actual teaching is disingenuous. Full class responsibility and subject responsibility (three subjects in my case) is a completely different kettle of fish. Wait until you have actual experience before commenting on the workload.

Ok thanks green light. I don't think I said "I know all" - I believe I was giving my insight to a PGCE.

As I said OP, try to take the moaning with a pinch of salt - many teachers have only ever taught and don't really understand that their job isn't the hardest in the world.

Most of the replies here are from teachers. I am not one but wanted to offer support that if you have passion to do something you should go for it and also that a grounding in another field might be a good thing when going into teaching.

The negatives have already been pointed out...they are true.

Finding a two or three form entry school reduces some of the planning load as you can share it with your year group partners. TAs can be a huge help if you find a school that has one per class or year. In a small school, the same leadership roles (subject lead / SEND etc) need to be done with fewer people to do them. Ask which roles you would be expected to do and the support you would get as a new teacher.

Research your schools before you take a job. Ask questions. Decide if you like the head. Look on the website to see if you can get a feel for their priorities. Trying supply is a good way to get to know how different schools can be.

I know several people that have lost their job or fear redundancy at the moment so I feel fortunate to have more job security than this. The pay at the very top of the scale is (in comparison to what else I can find locally) decent. I have friends that have their performance managed who would be booted out of a job if there don't meet their targets and appreciate that other jobs can have a high level of scrutiny / unrealistic target setting too.

The government initiatives and the reinventing of the wheel is frustrating but I do feel like I have made a difference to some children and their families over the years. I do go into school a little in the holidays but overall holiday childcare is much easier.

I do agree with the above posters' comments on the downfalls but I also think it's worth thinking about as long as you research your schools carefully. You might be able to find a part time job if that is financially viable.