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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To quit my job and become a primary school teacher?

70 replies

togointoteaching · 18/04/2022 20:51

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

OP posts:
QueenofLouisiana · 19/04/2022 08:10

I love working with the children, I enjoy thinking about new ways of teaching and developing tasks which will encourage the learning of skills. Children are endlessly fascinating and I like chatting with them and understanding their view of the world.

However, the paperwork grinds away in the background. The idea that you need the children (the actual job) to leave so that you can get your work done is daft. As a PP said, it’s like you start a second job at 3.30. It’s better if you work in a school where you share the workload across a team, but obviously you still need to keep up with your own marking and record keeping.

I’ve just applied for a job which means leaving teaching. I’ll be looking for others as well.

OxanaVorontsova · 19/04/2022 08:10

I’d second the earlier suggestion to consider secondary with the experience you have @togointoteaching

I love teaching, I find it exhausting but rewarding. I’ve taken time out to do something different then returned, but only because I knew the school was well run and I’d be happy there. No crazy initiatives and as an experienced hod I have a lot of autonomy. This is the complete opposite to the school I was in when I decided to quit teaching 9 years ago.

Another thing to consider (in my experience at least) is that career changers often struggle a bit to adjust to the routines and hierarchy of schools.

So, do it - but with your eyes open and be very careful about where you end up working!

User65412 · 19/04/2022 08:11

@CheekySwifter

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.

I don't think anyone here is claiming that! But the op asked so teachers are giving their experience. Attitudes like yours about teachers 'moaning' are the reason the profession has no respect. I hope you're never in the situation that many of us are in and that you never have to 'moan' about the job. A cousin of mine asked me a few years ago about being a teacher. I was positive and only told her the good bits. She's now off on stress, has had her and ambition crushed out of her and wishes I had told her the truth. I feel terrible about it. It can be a great career but you need your eyes wide open about workload.
KyieveMii · 19/04/2022 08:19

For those implying teachers only know teaching- I’ve worked in law and the charity sector before teaching, and I’ve gone back to a part time related role now. I also worked in retail for 4 years whilst studying. My husband worked in a lab before teaching. We both agree teaching had a particular culture of micro management, presenteeism, pointless tasks, fads, encroachment on personal life and bullying/ unhealthy work cultures that really stands out once all combined.
I’m not bitter or desperate to leave (I have), and I never had negative feedback after a lesson, struggled with behaviour or data. I did well on the scale of things, it was just an environment I couldn’t work in any longer.

GuyFawkesDay · 19/04/2022 08:19

I worked in corporate life before teaching @CheekySwifter so I can give you my honest experience of both sides.

Teaching is a 6 hour performance every day plus an admin job starting at 3:30pm.

It's the best job in the world with the kids.... some of the time. And it's also soul destroying at times when you're dealing with child protection issues. And the workload is, as others have said, crazy.

The pay is decent enough. The hours are crazy in term time. The holidays offer enough recovery to keep you going for the next term.

I love my job but I am so lucky to work in a supportive, lovely school and it's taken me a few dud ones to find the really good one.

Corporate life was a doddle by comparison, even when doing my professional exams and a full time job whilst commuting into London.

Sidisawetlettuce · 19/04/2022 08:26

Come back in a couple of years @CheekySwifter and we'll see if you're still singing the same tune.

confusedgran · 19/04/2022 08:26

Don’t do it unless you have a very resilient personality. I retired 15 years ago and went into something else but the appalling teaching dreams went on for years.

Andrea87 · 19/04/2022 08:29

I loved teaching, it can be such a rewarding job. Sadly I had to give up working in a school when Covid started and I miss it lots.
I was fortunate to teach part time and that extra day meant I could have my weekends free for family plus I had some great colleagues.
I have taught from nursery to year 6 and early years is not less work if it is done well. Although you don’t have lots of marking, you have lots of observations to write up, analyse and cater to all to make their learning fun - this sounds easy but you have to know the individual child really well to know what will work for them. So it isn’t less work than year 6 however it is my favourite key stage and I loved it.
Yes there are draw backs too, but there are drawbacks in many other professions.
Good luck with your decision OP, maybe go into a few different schools first and get the feel for them. I found my first job by doing supply work, liked the feel of one and applied there.

OneWildNightWithJBJ · 19/04/2022 08:38

Just to add, I also worked for a number of years in various industries. Nothing compared to the stress and workload of teaching. Having said that, I wasn't in any type of managerial position. I don't think teachers have the hardest job in the world, but it's certainly a lot harder than many think.

notanothertakeaway · 19/04/2022 08:44

@CheekySwifter

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!
@CheekySwifter

Yes, some teachers do seem to regard themselves as THE most overworked and unappreciated

But it's not always like that. My DB is a teacher. He leaves home at 7.30am. Home at 3pm on Fridays, otherwise 4.45pm. Never works in the evening, weekend or more than 1 or 2 days during school holidays. Tiring job, but great holidays. And earns more than my sister, who is a solicitor

MakeItRain · 19/04/2022 09:05

I'm not sure I would recommend teaching, having done it for 30 years. It's telling and a bit sad that some of the most positive posts on here are from someone who hasn't actually started the job yet. Like someone else said, a teacher-mentor works their socks off to support students behind the scenes and will be carrying all the responsibility for results/ learning/SEN/ subject leadership.

There are aspects of the job I still love - teaching itself being one of them. But there are aspects I dislike. Eg the endless latest "fads" that you have to spend hours and hours planning and gathering data for, only for it to be replaced one or two years down the line with the next big thing. Or the ridiculous expectations heaped on young children and the importance placed on how well they do on a particular day for a particular test. The endless observations and criticism from managers who are suffering with their own anxiety and stress about data.

I used to feel confident as a teacher in "the old days". Now I've had it pretty much crushed out of me, even though I'm fairly well regarded in my role. Hopefully I'll leave with my head held high but I spend an unhealthy amount of time counting the years until I retire. Not long now Grin

clopper · 19/04/2022 09:12

I love my job and am in a fairly relaxed school. The pressure has ramped up recently due to an impending ofsted which has led to a lot of extra meetings and paperwork. I do agree with pp that the micromanaging is the worst aspect of the job, this is usually dictated by people on a power trip who do do have a full teaching timetable sadly. I have only a few years to go, but I have really enjoyed my time as a teacher. As the OP wishes to do, and because I have worked in an area of high deprivation, I feel that I have hopefully made a difference to the lives of some children and their families. I do feel respected in my local community ( have even taught some of the parents of my current class!) but do not feel any respect from the DFE or the newspapers.

However, I do feel that I have been lucky with my school and their style of management, for the most part. I have friends and family members who have left schools after being bullied or unsupported by SLT. I think it can be a great job if you are in a supportive school, but these are becoming rarer to find. In my experience, some of the ‘tougher’ schools in the least desirable areas to live are the most supportive.

HamCob · 19/04/2022 09:18

Lol at the poster who's just finished their PGCE telling everyone to stop moaning...ah we were all like you once! 😂

Anyway OP, you've had some good advice already in this thread but I can't stress enough how important it is to get some experience. Could you use some annual leave to volunteer in a local school once a week or similar? Despite what the media would have you believe about teacher recruitment, places on PGCEs, especially at primary are very competitive - it is incredibly unlikely you would get a place without some recent experience in a school.

Good luck in what you decide. It is a fantastic job if you get the right school.

RogueBorg · 19/04/2022 09:43

@CheekySwifter I had two other jobs before I went into teaching in my 30s. No job has exhausted me as much as teaching. It’s the sheer relentlessness of it - and the lack of flexibility in hours. Don’t assume we’re all “education for life” teachers.

Gobbolinothekitchencat · 19/04/2022 11:00

It’s something you need to explore. Primary is tough, mentally and physically in some cases. Get as much volunteer experience as possible in a range of primary, difference year groups etc. Easier now restrictions are eased. Talk to staff, look at local jobs and note which schools come up again and again. You will need lots of work experience to get accepted on a PGCE or you did when I did a few years back.

You need to be Teflon coated as you will be likely abused by staff and parents/carers. You need to take it on the chin. We have had fathers say they are coming to ‘sort out’ staff for commenting on how lovely a child’s lunch was (I kid you not.) You need to be performing the role of teacher and not react.

I came from a corporate background with silly hours but asides from one job where the director did run it like a school (told off entire dept lack of effort at fancy dress party we had to pay for was one example of many) I have never been so micromanaged. Core lessons, like phonics, are effectively scripted and are so dull.

Primary is challenging as there is likely to be a high percentage of need, SEN, LAC, PP and those yet to be recognised children who fly under the radar. There will be neglect which isn’t just down to economics. And you are likely to have one TA if you are lucky.

Then there is the paperwork for all the above needs, data tracking, incident reports etc. Then planning, observations, endless meetings and new strategies (or teaching grandma to suck eggs according to experienced teachers).

But there is the buzz of being with the children, if you have a group of lovely children which most are, then there is no job like it. It is a pity it is so damn hard emotionally.

But if you want to explore it, do it but remember it is a job and walk away if it starts to effect your health.

GuyFawkesDay · 19/04/2022 12:53

Also loving how the not actually qualified teacher is telling experienced teachers how easy it is.

Generally speaking your PGCE year is OK. Your ECT years you might find rather different when reality hits.

JellyfishJenga · 19/04/2022 15:47

I haven't said it's easy, all I've tried to say is stop moaning! And for OP not to be put off by that.

Appuskidu · 19/04/2022 17:19

@JellyfishJenga

I haven't said it's easy, all I've tried to say is stop moaning! And for OP not to be put off by that.
The OP has asked, If you have experience of working as a primary school teacher, I'd really appreciate your advice

That’s what primary school teacher on this thread are doing. OP is right to get as many opinions as possible before making an informed decision.

Appuskidu · 19/04/2022 17:25

@JellyfishJenga

I haven't said it's easy, all I've tried to say is stop moaning! And for OP not to be put off by that.
Are you @CheekySwifter?
ClaudiusTheGod · 19/04/2022 17:37

@CheekySwifter

You know nothing yet.

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