To ask ex teachers for advice?

[desperateteacher]

I am a very experienced teacher looking to exit the profession. I detest it. There was a time not too long ago when I felt I was doing a good job and had clear career progression, but the last six months I have been bullied mercilessly and my confidence is at rock bottom. That, combined with the state of education (no budget for necessities in schools - I’m talking glue sticks, exercise books and supply teachers to cover, erosion of time to fulfill the extensive requirements of the role and an increasing number of SEND needs) and I’m looking to get out. My question is what can I do?

I’m after practical advice and pointers; I’m well aware what transferable skills we have, but where do I find these jobs? Has anyone left the classroom successfully and what did you do? I’d love some success stories to stop me spiralling! And without meaning to offend, I’m not really after stories of ECTs leaving the profession and starting again, because I’m nearly 40 with a salary of nearly 50k!

You are right of course and I don’t think I explained myself very well. What I meant is that a lot of the posts I see seem to be fairly new teachers struggling with the standards, pace and workload, if that makes sense? I don’t struggle with any of these as such, but I am finding the problems in schools are worsening all the time. I was trying to explain to my husband how it’s a job where you can’t have an off day at all; there’s no day you can be feeling under the weather and drag yourself in, no day you can be feeling upset at all. In fact, I can’t even cope with doing anything in the evenings because my timetable is so tight each day that if I drop the ball even slightly, it all falls apart. Some days ‘dropping the ball’ might simply mean eating lunch!

Left at Xmas. 12 years teaching. HOD UPS3.

I'm now a business and development manager.

Places to look
Indeed
Work from home hub
Civil service
Did teach
Local council

I work with loads of ex teachers in the SEND department of my city council.

I'm not entirely sure it's any less stressful but it is different..

A close friend of mine left teaching to work for the council, being a minute taker at safeguarding meetings. Took a pay cut from £45k to £30k but is much happier, has a far better work life balance and finds the new job so interesting!

Lots in the Civil Service - look on the Civil Service jobs website. There are YouTube videos on how to apply.
Exam boards - keep trawling their websites and don't forget the Cambridge International one.
There are lots of charities, museums etc that need "education officers".

I was a science teacher for the best part of 15 years, left teaching in 2022 and moved into a large corporation who were setting up a new division to capture knowledge, essentially working with subject experts from the company to create learning materials. Was a 40k starting salary and wfh 2-3 days a week. Did really well, worked with lots of senior people and got my face known while building a reputation for being a general all round good egg. This year I've moved into business change and I'd have to say that my education skills align pretty perfectly. I'd have struggled to move straight to that role but it's been an easy transition as I'd already built the corporate.

This sounds brilliant! How did you get into this?

I guess what I want to know is:

Are people just lucky in spotting a great role?

Do they trawl job websites and apply for anything and everything (difficult when you have a job and family & limited time)?

Do they make the leap then find the role or vice versa?

I’m ambitious and hardworking and I’ve always had a plan. I’m really struggling with the lack of plan currently!

There is a Facebook group - life after teaching, exit the classroom and thrive. Is worth looking at. I went from secondary to FE - it is easier and I moved into teaching adults which I enjoy. I am now 64 and semi retired - I don't think I would be still teaching if I had stayed in secondary.

An element of luck, yes, I only applied for one job and I was lucky that a friend worked for the company and knew it was coming up. It was advertised on LinkedIn and various job sites as well as their own website (my friend got a referral bonus for passing it on) I'd have a think about what locations/companies work for you and get any friends who work there to keep their eyes open for you. What I've learned is that in business it's not what you know but who you know...

What does the civil service actually DO? It’s always recommended, but I never understand what their actual work is!

No idea but it seems to be hugely flexible with great benefits and I imagine way less stressful than my job! I wish I’d gone into it originally 🤣

Applications for HMRC's Tax Specialist Programme 2025 are now open. We have a lot of ex teachers. I spoke to two last week who had both been in teaching 20 years. I also have two other ex teachers in my team. Lots of transferable skills.

I was already tutoring for the OU while teaching and I got a job working on staff development at the OU and this led to a post at a London University in a central unit working across the uni, among other things,providing staff development for the academics.

www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi?jcode=1924147

HR?

Look for jobs in ITT in a University or a SCITT.
Oak Academy pay teachers to develop curriculum resources.
There are also educational charities/ social enterprises that do consultancy work in schools. What part of the country are you in?

Thank you this is very helpful! I definitely wouldn’t apply for this had you not posted as I’d have assumed I’m not qualified! I’ve saved the link ready to apply!

I’m in the north west!

Left 3 years ago!
Work for my local council earning 35k. Work with children who have been involved in County Lines.
I used to be on 45 k so it’s a drop But I was starting a new carer so excepted I’d earn less.
I do a quarter of the work I did. I am no longer constantly stressed and I don’t dread work.

This is what I do.

I had 12 years teaching experience when I left the classroom. I now work for my LA as a specialist teacher for children with heath needs. I teach 1:1, support their transition back into school, run a small group (4 students) in our base for students with mental health needs and advise schools. It’s a wonderful job, can be fairly flexible and i’m paid UPS3 with a SEN point.

You might find this group more helpful: https://www.adventuresafterteaching.com

It’s a coaching service specific for teachers leaving, loads of success stories on their fbook group. I found it more focused and positive than Exit teaching and thrive group. The podcast adventures after teaching has success stories which is useful for positive success stories and how people made the move.

Charity jobs.co.uk often has suitable jobs for ex teachers on also.

Lots of people seem to move to twinkl for education material writing but I think the pay is fairly low, might be worth looking at their career opportunities?

@desperateteacher That's great, good luck!

There is a website called Team did teach. They do put jobs up and put in courses for people who want to move out of teaching.

Became a Foster Carer. You get all the training you will need. You get satisfaction from knowing you are making a difference to a child/children. You get a generous tax free allowance. You need a spare bed

Keep an eye on Teach First for jobs. If you have worked as a school leader, and especially if you have supported trainees, some of their positions offer a chance to both move up and out!