To want a job, any job, but just not in teaching!

[LorlieS]

I need out!

20 years in education but enough is enough.

Any suggestions re my next job? 😀

@Gameofmoans81 No it's definitely teaching and after 20 years in education I'm spent. And it's only going to get worse.
I'm looking at Psychology jobs within the NHS now, ideally still working with children though?

Weren't ed psychs striking because of their terrible working conditions?

I wasn't advising or suggesting anything! I was explaining - in response to a PP who asked me to explain - how the tax system is structured so that self-employed people/ people with their own companies pay far less tax than employees on the same earnings. I wasn't making recommendations: I am a accountant myself and I wouldn't be making recommendations to random strangers on the internet knowing nothing about their circumstances! I was simply giving a basic summary of the main differences in how different people's income is taxed depending on the form in which it is received.

I left teaching 19 years ago (after a short 3 year stint). I realised I loved being a form tutor and getting to know them all as individuals but hated the actual teaching. It didn't help that I taught an almost universally unpopular subject, so had to be "positive positive positive" every day even with my department colleagues who also hated my subject, and the school was going through a period of change in aiming for Academy status. But this 26-year-old (at the time) cried at the thought of going back and cried at the thought of that being my lifestyle forever. I was living at home, no local friends left, no chance of a social life but with little responsibility so quit and was lucky enough that I didn't have to have a fixed plan.

Within a year, I was back working in schools again but as one of the old Connexions advisers. I got to talk to the kids as individuals and actually help them with what they needed.

Employed directly by a school now, basically still doing the same thing after 18 years, and still get a buzz from making a difference but in a way that suits me better. The joy of one of the cheeky lads (probably a rotter to teach) coming to me, after his last exam to thank me for my help and that his apprenticeship was all sorted is priceless.

If you still like the kids but not the job, perhaps it's worth looking into a more pastoral role?

I don’t agree the self employed pay “far less” tax. DH was paying six figures a year! Those who dodge tax via paying themselves as dividends do get a big perk and it needs closing off. Many of them had big problems in Covid.

It is also obvious the self employed take 100% risk with their earnings and employment. Therefore there needs to be some encouragement. Or no one would bother. However for most sole traders it’s long hours for below what a senior teacher can earn when all aspects of self employment are taken into account.

Peopleplus are an educational provider who operate in many prisons, go on their website and look at national vacancies.

I teach in AP now. You need to find the right place, but I have very little marking, no constant monitoring and data drops, no behaviour issues and I can do everything Mon - Fri 9-5.

Thanks all. I've decided I want completely out of education. 20 years on - I've served my time! I appreciate your encouragement on here.
I'm looking to see if I can get onto a part-time Msc course (possibly Child Therapy/Counselling), although will need to find the funding and work at the same time to pay the bills. I have a good psychology degree behind me and of course much experience of with young people so should be OK to get on.
I'd like to say it's a bittersweet moment but the over-riding emotion I feel is pure relief I've finally made the choice to leave.
Am I too old at 43 to go back to uni?!!

@BillieJ I did that for a year (PRU) but SLT were appalling so I left.

I left teaching 2021 after 25 years. Took early retirement. I get my pension and top it up by working 2 days a week in Waitrose. Best thing I ever did. Now have a 5 days weekend.

@OliveToboogie If I do the same will you pay my rent and nursery fees please?!!
Sounds idyllic.
That was another thing stressing me out about teaching - I'm 43 now - I genuinely couldn't deal with still teaching at 65 plus.
My Dad was 50 when he took early retirement from teaching years ago too - I'm so glad he did!

The relevant point is comparing how much he paid to how much he would have paid had he earned the same via PAYE. That was the discussion point: that employees pay a higher percentage of tax on the same income. I really don't understand the difficulty in grasping this: it is an undeniable fact and I've explained repeatedly also why that is the case.

Good luck! That sounds like an excellent plan and very suited to your skillset. A friend of mine in another sector recently did similar but with no background in psychology so I'm so you'll be fine!

I was a teacher for 13 years and retrained as a social worker, better work life balance, more flexible, better paid (a little bit) never looked back! ...Still stressful..but more manageable!

Why the state should pay a teacher a pension at 50 is beyond me. That was another perk that was massive!

Oh and took me 2 years and I qualified as a social worker at 40 and I wasn't anywhere near the eldest in my course so you are definitely not too old!

@InfraredMarbles Thank you. I'm so excited it's ridiculous! Hubby has been super supportive and feels it will really benefit my own MH too in so many different ways.
To work supporting children in therapy/counselling has always been something I've wanted to do (personal reasons drive this hugely too).
I'm just hoping it's achievable and I can afford to do it!

Private tutoring or 11 plus. I am a parent and really value teachers but totally understand that it is overwhelming and too much is expected from them.

I had 121 tutoring years ago and know how beneficial an hour a week is.

It's not enjoyable!! Same shit without the holidays.

Reading you have a psychology degree? Have you time/support to train.

We can't find educational psychologists, desperate shortage, nationally. Our lead EP’s earn much more than a teacher.

Something else I'm really excited about...I might actually be able to take my little girl to school on her first day if I've left teaching! Am I actually dreaming?!!

@AnnieMaeve My degree is Bsc Human Psychology (Hons). I spent a placement shadowing an Ed Psych and found it miserable. Also very isolating. Even the guy I was shadowing advised against it!! 😞

Hi can I please ask if you work for yourself or did you join an agency for the private tutoring work?
Thanks

That must be why we don't have any….😳

More info here, including the range of employees.

https://www.aep.org.uk/interested-career-educational-psychology

I did this. It was great to start with but 5 years on it had become so toxic that the burnout prematurely ended my career. It’s not always a good move.