To consider re-training as a secondary school teacher at 48?

[Crustyjugglers]

Just that really! Anyone done similar and how have your experiences been?
I've been in my current line of work for 20 years and am very bored and unsatisfied. I have a 6 year old daughter, supportive partner but not terribly much money although we'd manage with some sacrifices ...
Am I insane?

OP's in Scotland - after qualifying she would have one year probation on 35 1/2 grand then 40 the next year, assuming she could find a job.

I was already going to say I would think very carefully about this and speak to a lot of teachers in your area - thinking you were in England… but on reading your update that you are actually in Scotland you need to make sure you are fully aware of just how appalling the job situation is beyond the one guaranteed induction year. Look up ‘Scottish teachers for permanence’. Unless you don’t need the money or job security you need to be really careful.

and that aside - I’m around your age and still in education but I have found a role that gives me a bit of distance from the front line these days. I loved it and still do many aspects but could not imagine having the energy needed to start in teaching at this age any more than I could imagine having another baby! And it’s so much worse than when I started 25 years ago. Budgets, class sizes, unmet needs, behaviour…

Part time, in a sixth form college.

Not slating that as a choice - just questioning all the spin attached to it- Now Teach, writing a book etc

I say give it a go. Your experience will be very dependent on your school, department, mentor and provider. Good luck.

I’d go for it, OP. One of my friends did (she’s now 49) and has been teaching languages for a year. As a PP said said though, it’ll affect your time with your DD so your partner needs to be fully in support of your decision and able to step up when you can’t. My friend’s youngest child is starting uni this year so it was less of an issue for their family. Good luck!

They are separate things but in terms of roles and responsibilities of staff they often go together. Some (not all) schools/companies higher both at the same time, eg PHSE & R.E Teacher | Job details | Find a job but in those schools where roles and responsibilities are separate I would still expect active involvement in both areas to be very likely.

@F1rstDoNoHarm i don't know anything about England, so you could be right for there, but it isn't the case in Scotland where I've taught for a long time.

@sciteach95 interesting, thank you for this. I had been doing some job searches in the area (Highlands so might be even worse job prospects!) and thought they were a bit sparse ...

I love my job, I’m a secondary teacher. It’s a real slog, but every day is different. I laugh a lot more than I cry. It is so wonderful supporting the next generation to find themselves. Different subjects have different pros and cons, so it does depend what subject you are thinking of teaching… if you find the school that ‘fits’ you, it’s wonderful. If you find a school which isn’t supportive, it can be a huge battle. I would say go for it, if you’ve thought it all through!! Happy to help with anything in the training year if you want to chat :)

Contact your local school to see if they would let you observe for a day or two (not now, obviously!)
Were you thinking of doing the course this current year?

You need resilience, both physical and mental.
You need a thick skin.
You need to accept working in the evenings and weekends.
You’re unlikely to be able to go to your child’s events at school and holidays will be in school holidays, although, in Scotland, the summer holiday is earlier than in England.
I don't know of the job situation in Scotland, but others are saying it’s not good.

I did it for many, many years, but I don’t think I would train now.

Don't do it. The hours are long. As is the micromanaging. It's a dire situation right now with people promoted beyond their capabilities given budgets are so stretched. The situation in Scotland is difficult too with recruitment. I would also question how competitive you will be with a new degree subject at secondary school level. Seriously don't do it. Do some tutoring as a side hustle instead. Plenty will pay for a graduate rather than a qualified teacher.

@Jaws2025 would be next year so plenty of time to research.

@moanamovie thank you so much. 😊

You could do it, and you would manage in a good, well-run school. But make no mistake, it's hard, gruelling work. Teenagers never give you any leeway, even well-brought-up ones. They can be nice, and fun to have in class, though. I managed 13 years in teaching from 39 to 52, before returning to my original career, which I enjoyed very much - teaching had improved my multi-skilling, and given me great confidence.

I left teaching at 40 after 20 years and don’t regret it at all. It’s brutal.
I listened to a podcast recently on bbc sounds about retraining as a teacher. I think it was called could do better. Worth a listen to get both the good and bad of it.

Ok. Can see you are in Scotland so I say go for it! I am a teacher and think it is a fab job. In England it seems mad with all the governors and stuff they have to do. But in Scotland it is better I think. Good luck!

I’m secondary, English teacher, leadership, DSL.
I love it, AND it is very hard.

On Friday I was called a “Fucking Weirdo” at 100 decibels, Also on Friday, my Y7s made me laugh so much will their sillies - and the utter joy they openly felt by making me laugh was 😍

I wouldn’t do anything else, but you have to have good, solid coping strategies for the hard times otherwise it can break you.

Do it, just get some work experience first to be sure you would really like it.