To retrain as a teacher at (just turned) 50?

[MyPearlCrow]

Just that really. I was a solicitor/partner in a law firm for my first career but burned out /got bored and cynical, so gave it up. luckily we can afford for me not to work which I realise is such a privilege.

I volunteer in a primary school now several days a week and essentially do an unpaid TA role. Here, TAs here are essentially teachers without all the planning/prep/responsibility, as in they actively teach the curriculum to small groups of children. They are highly skilled.

I have considered being a TA. I have been offered a paid role at my current school. But I’m still considering my options and it’s desperately badly paid. And all the TAs here are technically over qualified (all degree educated, or ex teachers, but don’t want the ridiculous workload of a teacher; entry requirement for TA role in England is just passes in gcse English maths and science) but they are paid peanuts. But it’s such a rewarding role and I love it. I think I could really add value.

Complete honesty here: I also realise that I’m used to running the show, in my old job. I suspect that in time I would want to make my own decisions on how to deal with my class, rather than carry out someone else’s instructions. I can already see ways I would want change up the teaching/approach for some children who are struggling. I am acutely aware that teachers just don’t have time to individualise the curriculum for 30 kids though, so I’m aware I might be looking at this from the 6-8 kids I currently take responsibility for in lessons and the ability to do this with a whole class might be much more limited.

i really love being with kids, I value education, I’m a good ‘teacher’ - as in I love to explain things simply and differently to children (or in my old role, to adults too).

Teachers - am I mad? I know too well how hard the job is these days. The primary curriculum here is crazy complicated. The breadth of ability and need is jaw dropping. But I truly believe in state education being a passport to a better life and would love to be part of that.

or do I just take the TA role, qualify up as much as I can in TA courses and accept I’ll be minimum wage forever but trying to make a difference?

important point: I have kids, so want to work part time. And train part time too. I know there are options for this but it will be competitive (I have top grades academically which I think might help). If I do a part time pgce, could I do my first year as a newly qualified teacher part time or is that not an option?

I don’t underestimate what a massive, difficult, demanding and at times (currently) desperately frustrating role teaching is. Am I too old for such a huge challenge? I’d love some wisdom from teachers and ex teachers please.

Ex teacher here. Don't do it.

There is a massive massive difference between being a teacher and being a TA. Spending time as a TA does not prepare people for the job as a teacher in my experience. I left teaching and never looked back. It is very long hours and it is often thankless sadly and the government continue to input changes and more pressure. I expect you will add value to the profession and hopefully enjoy the role but please do go in with your eyes open.

Go for it, of it gets too much you can always fall back on tutoring but if you're not qualified you won't have the option.

I’m a secondary teacher, but if you’re planning on working part time (as I do) the job is manageable! Just be prepared to actually work full time hours during the week though…!

For the love of god, don’t do it! There’s a reason why there’s a mass exodus of teachers from the profession.

I am 44 now but trained as a primary school teacher when I was straight out of college.
There is no way I would ever go back to teaching now.
I last taught in 2016 or 2017.
I loved the actual teaching side of it but there was so much other stuff that I hated. When you work out how many hours I spent working each week and how much of that I spent teaching it was a very small percentage.
My working week was full of other stressful and pointless stuff which greatly outweighed the part of the job I liked.
I have returned to teaching twice after giving it up and regretted it both times.
I don't miss it at all when I am not teaching.

School budgets are being cut to the bone and what's happening is teachers are disappearing and TAs are being used to fill the gap on a TAs wage. Remember you won't get paid for holidays and will more than likely end up as a Dinner Lady as well as many schools are using TAs for that too.
Working with kids is amazingly worthwhile, but it can also be brutal and you can end the day in tears. Often!
I worked in Primary as a class teacher for years, Supply and a TA briefly. I also volunteered at my son's school. The only time I was treated even remotely well was as a volunteer. As an employee I got bit, kicked, spat at, my hair pulled, rumours spread about me, a chair thrown at me, numerous books, stabbed with a pencil and so on and so on. Parents can be abusive and intrusive - had parents come up to me on a Saturday morning demanding to discuss their child's progress and then telling the other parents I was a selfish bitch because I said to contact me at school is just one example.
I now tutor small groups and wouldn't want to go back to the classroom for anything.

I work in education HR and have done for 20+ years. Teaching is not an easy option - I truly feel it is a vocation. You can still be a great teacher by working hard at it, but those who find it more of a calling, seem to find the challenges easier/more bearable/rewarding. Demands are high and the demands placed on you by SLT will also likely be high; they will understand what you are going through but also need to drive results/outcomes/agendas too. You can complete your ECT years part-time, but they will take longer to do.
I think it ultimately comes down to your passion and understanding of expectations - if you thrive on a challenge and know what’s involved, then go for it! If you want an easier life, then stick with the TA role (excellent TA’s are still hard to come by) and upskill to a HLTA role for some extra challenge. I think you will find being a teacher or HLTA most rewarding. Good luck and welcome to the sector.

There’s a huge amount of negativity on here for teaching!
Retrained at 45 - I have loved every minute of it and love working in a very disadvantaged area.
I have been promoted through the ranks quickly as my prior life experience gave me an edge over younger entrants. 6 years into teaching I got an assistant head job. It’s very long hours but very rewarding.

If you’re going to do it, consider secondary too (I thought I would prefer primary but secondary has more advancement opportunities). I’m not so sure about doing it part time though!

Don't do it - teaching (albeit at an FE/HE College) was the worst job I've ever had - didn't even make it to two years in before I resigned.

Low pay, long hours, can't choose your holiday dates, moving goal posts, micromanagement - I'd rather stack shelves in Aldi.

Late to teaching too (qualified at 40 and now teaching 10 years) and I love it. Well it's an emotional rollercoaster but it is so interesting and rewarding and the good bits are brilliant.
You're getting the experience by being in a school so you're not going in blind.
Go for it

It makes me so sad that people are so negative about teaching. I retrained at 40 and am turning 50 this year. It has changed even in that short time but I still love it. It helps to find a good, supportive school who care about teacher wellbeing. It is exhausting, and I do wonder how long I’ll be able to work full time, but the holidays are great and I am able to have a good work life balance. The profession is crying out for people like you and it sounds like you will be able to cope with a high demand workplace. Absolutely go for it, what’s the worst that can happen?

Totally possible - have you read about Lucy Kellaway from the FT?

I’d stay clear of the state schools and do private

No. I've been teaching since 1995 and am leaving early at 55. The workload is not sustainable. Behaviour is getting worse as there are lots more kids with often undiagnosed MH issues. If u can teach your classes it not too bad, but i often find lessons are derailed by one or two individuals. Senior management are often in denial about issues and vome out with BS policies instead of dealing with the real isdues. It's a shame because I likevteaching. I'm.just do tired of it all. My plan is to be a TA and if this is not for me find a part time admin job

Firstly you are right of course you can think of ideas for 6/8 children. As a teacher you have to consider 30, making sure each one makes progress, focus on getting those lower ones to improve. You have to manage behaviour, manage parents (they are hard work), trial new schemes. You'll have a whole school coordinator role eventually.

Be careful. Lots of TAs are amazing and I've met a few who think it'd be no big deal being a teacher but it takes up so much time. I love but I'm exhausted!

Also you wanting to go to your child's event won't be their concern unless your school is understanding but even then you can't always attend things. If you do attend an event you'll owe school in some way e.g. when I go to an assembly I then have used most of my ppa (planning) time so got even more work to do at night.

Completely agree with this.

Also you'll have to manage TAs who may be more experienced than you and will let you know that!

This. I’m 43 and this is my 21st year in teaching. I’m looking at other options where I could have a better work-life balance without a huge pay drop. It’s a very mentally and emotionally draining job.

Teaching is like doing three full time jobs.

1. Teaching the children
2. Planning, prepping, marking
3. All the other stuff - displays, after school clubs, break duties, class assemblies, training in your own time…

It’s relentless! I left after 6 years (plus 3 in training) and the thought of working in a school again makes me really anxious even now I’ve been out for 3 years. It nearly broke me and I had two periods of sick leave for depression and anxiety. My first was triggered by suicidal thoughts entirely related to my job.

My DD says she wants to be a teacher and I will do everything in my power to persuade her otherwise.

Have you considered teaching Law?

Google and Twinkl

Learning curriculum content is another thing to add to the list- time spent on this is obviously much greater as a new teacher/ when a new curriculum comes out/ if you change year groups in primary. You need to learn it yourself as part of your training, either from your teaching mentors or as part of your planning.

Teachers have to teach the TAs before the TAs can support the children.

Something I'm surprised no-one has mentioned yet and you may not be aware of is how rare part time roles in primary schools are? Have a look on the Tesjobs website. You'll see there are hardly any permanent part time primary teaching jobs advertised. Primary schools want full time staff because the kids need teaching five days a week.
It's much easier to find a part time job in a secondary school. For example, in my subject, the pupils have lessons three times a week making it easy for me to work three days a week without causing the pupils to have split teaching.
I taught full time for 11 years then part time for the last 15 years. I wouldn't still be in teaching if had to be full time. It is not a family friendly job due to the very long hours. But part time in a nice school (private, small classes, well motivated pupils) I can do.

Most people on here are parents. We need more teachers for our kids don't we? Why are you discouraging it? There are some amazing teachers out there and I bet OP could be one of them!

Many of us who have left teaching were amazing teachers. It still destroyed us. Being amazing isn’t enough. It’s an undoable job.