Becoming a primary school teacher

[ToysRus56]

Hiya, I'm considering becoming an early years/ primary school teacher. I have two children 6 and 8, so I'm conscious life is busy as it is. But I'm stuck in a corporate job I hate. Everyone seems to warn me off it.... What are people's views? Both good and bad welcome...

These responses make me really sad.
I have been a teacher for 15 years and I still absolutely love it. My school is fantastic, work life balance. My chuldren are at my school which makes a big difference because they are with me in my class right until they start school and after they finish but we leave every night by 16.15. My head doesnt believe in paperwork for the sake of it nor in endless marking.

The children have a lovely time, we make space for fun and creativity and outdoor learning and I genuinely feel so lucky to get to do such a lovely job day in, day out. Sure there are some busy times or some stressful moments, but they are rare and would happen in any job.

Find the right school, and you'll have a lovely career. Plus, the holidays!

But agree with previous posters about recruitment. There seem to be hardly any jobs because budgets are so tight.

Also, completely recognise that my experience is not happening everywhere.

I am 10 years into being a primary school teacher. I have since had 2 young children and I work full time.

I do agree that teachers can be their own worst enemy. Would I like to be around more for my children? Yes. However they are still my priority and no headteacher could tell me otherwise. We are allowed to take our ppa to attend nativities and sports days. I had a paid morning out to take my son to his first day at school. I've been able to attend nursery settling sessions with him. I recieve unquestioned paid leave if he's ill. Any work I miss by attending events, I catch up on once the children are in bed.

I stay at work till 5ish 3 days a week and the other days I'm out as soon as I can. Definitely by 3.30. I don't do any work once home with my children and the only thing I do in the holidays is decorate my classroom, takes 1 day whilst my husband takes a day off. In fact I've been making this more and more child led as the years go by and actually decorate the room with the children present in class!

It is a job and many headteachers understand that. I am privileged to earn a good wage, have long holidays with my children and have a good support system of grandparents and after school clubs.

It is a stressful job for all the reasons other people have said and if I had my time again I probably wouldn't have done it, however it can and does work with a family.

The school you are in makes a difference and there are in-school training routes (where you start earning straight away). If you were thinking of getting TA experience, a big benefit of that or supply work is trying out school environments. It is a great job and I’ve seen a lot of people thrive who came from the corporate world: you’re used to hard work but this may feel more rewarding.

I’ve been a primary teacher for 30 years - still love my job - but wouldn’t recommend it! Because I know I’m lucky. My school is amazing - staff meetings only happen if there’s something important to actually discuss. Staff are not constrained by schemes and strict timetables and instead have the flexibility to make things work for them. We have the option to book two Friday afternoons off during the year and at least one teacher day as “time in lieu” as an acknowledgment of the over and above hours everyone does. Plus a teacher day for report writing (they take longer than this but it’s a help!) I’ve also never been turned down when I’ve asked for time off for my children’s graduations, school concerts etc or appointments that couldn’t be arranged for outside working hours. There’s a sense of goodwill where the head knows no one takes advantage and in return he gets staff willing to stay for end of term discos, residential etc.
staff are all supportive and listened to. We have a very simple assessment process as staff are trusted to know the children themselves. Marking policy is basic. Yet our recent dated was really positive and our levels are typically above national - proving that a lot of the pressures other school insist on are completely unnecessary. Unsurprisingly our staff retention is high!

I don’t recommend the job because I know how lucky I am when I listen to others talk about the ridiculous expectations placed on them. I know what the public perception of us is, and it’s really frustrating when the government make policies without ever stepping foot in a school. Thank goodness for an SLT who ignore those they can!! There are definitely good schools - if you can find one, it’s an amazing job.

@Nojudginghere sounds absolutely brilliant - out of interest approx what location is your school?

I can see it's already been suggested, but being a children's speech therapist might suit you. I've been one for 15 years after my teacher mum warning me off teaching! I work with 2-7 year olds. There are increasingly more routes in as there's a shortage. Message me if you have any questions :)

I'll give you another perspective.
I'm a primary school teacher who works part time and it is great. I arrive at 8.15 and leave anytime between 4 and 5. I don't do any work at home anymore. The holidays are my own.

The key is that I work part time, and I've been in the same year group for 5 years.

Just to give you a heads up - I’m coming to the end of my PGCE having retrainined in my 40s. I have loved the PGCE, had good marks and feedback.

i can’t get a job. There’s 50+ applicants for every job here, it’s bonkers and the most competitive job market I have ever been in.

i would guess that this isn’t the same for secondary, or in other areas of the country. It’s not just me - only 4 from my course have jobs lined up.

I’d be interested to know more about this. I’ve been teaching for 21 years and need a change.

It’s in Coventry.

Like everything public sector the NHS service is under funded but there's lots of scope for independent practice too, both self employed or working for a small team, charity or school. In the last 15 years I've done universal communication promotion work, seen children between 2 and 12 with a variety of needs, trained staff and parents, worked in two nurseries regularly and had a team lead role. I'm now moving over to independent practice for my change of scene!