The end of my teaching career?

[Mayflower400]

I think I’m done! I have no idea what to do instead though. I’m almost 40, shit loads of debt and renting. I have two children and would miss the holidays with them.
I love the actually teaching and even the leadership role but I’m so so sick of being micromanaged by a CEO who doesn’t have a clue and is removing every creative and active opportunity. Even typing this has me in floods of tears, it’s the only thing I’ve ever been good at. AIBU to think the end is looming?

if you still love so much about the job, is there another school you can move to?

Sadly I think it’s the way things are now. Most schools in our area are now part of multi academy trusts, being forced to take on scheme after scheme. I’ve been looking at ofsted questions for my subject and I think I’m going to look stupid, they ask why a certain scheme has been chosen but I didn’t even get a say. We are not listened to as professionals.
I would love to retrain but I don’t have the money to do it. I’m considering asking for part time but I’m just so stuck about what to do. I’ve never felt so sad about it all.

Have you considered looking at SEN teacher roles for your local council? I'm a peripatetic Teacher of Deaf Children and Young People for my county council. I am paid on STPCD, so get a UPS3 wage plus all the holidays, PPA, pension etc . I started the job and was paid to do the mandatory qualification. I have autonomy over my calendar, what I teach and how, no worries about learning walks, book looks, planning scrutinies, displays, I don't have a subject to manage etc. I visit 3 or 4 different pupils a day, either 1:1 or observing in class. I haven't even had a lesson observation since I qualified (several years ago)!

I couldn't go back to mainstream teaching. It's meant I can continue teaching but I don't have all the rubbish that goes with it.

Have a look around and choose something else , you will earn far more, anyway. I hope you find something you really enjoy, and have a happier life xx

There's a Facebook group called 'Thinking of leaving teaching.' Well worth joining.

I would absolutely love that role and I’d say the experience I’ve had whilst working in mainstream would allow me to do a role like this!
weirdly, we’ve not had much monitoring, I’d almost rather we had lesson obs so that they can see that the schemes are not working!!

Have you considered a move to teaching in FE?

Join 'Leave Teaching: Exit the Classroom and Thrive' on Facebook. Absolutely full of suggestions, support and fellow current and former teachers who understand!

It’s a great group. 20% of teachers in England are in the group. I think that tells you a lot. Unfortunately I left the group because I found it triggering.

Tbh most schools are like that now. You can get lucky though so maybe try another before you make the leap ?

I left teaching. I miss the money , I miss the laughs with kids. I miss the holidays. (yes I know we never really have them but you are working from hiwn with your own kids and you can arrange your own schedule ).

I don't miss ANYTHING else

Not all schools are like this although the MAT model is creeping. Would you consider teaching in an independent school? We have complete freedom in my dept - I’m an English teacher and we have only a very broad framework and can choose our own texts and methods of delivery. I couldn’t do it otherwise.

If you are serious about leaving teaching, consider what skills you have acquired in teaching. Working to deadlines, working as part of a team, negotiating, self discipline, research skills, ability to work on your own, good literacy/numeracy skills etc. I'm sure there will be many more.
Sometimes applying for other teaching jobs can help you come to terms with the job you have. Sometimes it's the spur to change school. Whether it's part of a chain or not, the SMT can make such a difference so finding out what's out there might make a difference. I was fortunate that when I became jaded, I had a secondment which reinvigorated my practice and there was a change of management when I returned to school. Sadly these seem to be few and far between nowadays.
Whatever you decide, decide something, as being unhappy will breed resentment. Good luck

Hi Op

Have you thought Access courses for mature
Students you can do full or part-time for a year or two years ,
You get so many credits at college, then depending how many credits you can then go on to further education at university of your choice depending obviously on particular subjects you have chosen,

They are very popular

They have open evenings/days about this at college aswell as other course

Surprising range of subjects you can do to with Access courses
Which mature subjects a second chance/ opportunities

Also have you got a hobby/hobbies or have had in the past, that there is potential you could make money from it/them?

Also open university taster courses idea behind them, to have a dip test out water to see if particular course of interest to study deeper ect too.

It's a crossroads at life transition, an adventure life can be , an interesting perplexing time, but potential to be a more satisfying /rewarding one than at moment.

Hi Op
It's food for thought

Thanks all, this is really useful and helpful advice. I’m working through my school list tomorrow when my children are with their dad.
I will join the Facebook group and take a look at what I can actually do. I think I’d be shit at FE, my heart is in early years and I’m not sure any adult would take me seriously!

Oops I ment to say Access courses give mature students a second chance/opportunities

I’d take a good look about. All schools are not the same. I worked for a MAT (non teaching) and they were awful, but the school my daughter goes to is very different (a small MAT).
I take it it’s primary you teach as you mention early years?
I do know several secondary teachers who moved into tutoring successfully, both in and out of school. But they were the popular subjects and got plenty of work.
Im guessing your CEO doesn’t even have a teaching background as well?

Various alternative provision options or units?

I know it is tough and incredibly frustrating, but the pension will make life a lot easier in future.

Have you considered a move to the private sector - life’s a lot easier.

Sadly the CEO does have a teaching background, years and years ago though!
seems to be about appearances rather than teaching now. Won’t look good though when the social media pages are frequently sharing job adverts!

See your GP. You sound stressed due to workplace bullying.

I strongly sympathise with you! It isn't just the process itself, either - it's the way people are manipulated as if they are not human beings, and you are expected to participate in basically brainwashing the people you are in charge of, too. I feel it has knocked me over and ground me down so much that not only do I want to leave my job and my field, I struggle to see myself successfully applying for anything good at all. Enthusiasm and confidence are at rock bottom. I feel like it breaks people and doesn't care, which made your feelings resonate.

I am looking around for what else I can do, but I might well end up working an entry level job in retail after decades of working towards the top in another field.

I don't know if it helps to know this, but there are other people staring down the barrel of the same gun, you are not alone

I find the group quite negative and it's gradually turned me against my own job, despite the school I work in actually being a lovely school and I don't get the same problems/pressures others seem to get.
I'm still considering leaving though as there are certain aspects I don't enjoy anymore.

Lucky you - I wish I still had that freedom. Not in a MAT/ academy but we all have to teach the same texts, same lessons and have all of these ‘knowledge tests’ - great for Science and Geography but not so much for English. The micromanagement by people who haven’t been near a classroom in years and didn’t spend much time in one before they started peddling consultants’ snake oil and PIXL bollocks is exasperating. Unfortunately, most secondaries seem to follow a boilerplate, cookie-cutter curriculum these days, partly because it makes it much easier to manage the rafts of teachers leaving the profession, especially in the early years of their career.