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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

After reading a thread warning against teaching as a career!!

157 replies

SunsetOnTheHorizon · 29/12/2025 00:27

I'm due to complete my degree and I am applying for a QTS+PGCE course for September 2026.

I am aware the teaching sector is a nightmare to work in right now (going by the recent thread).

But my main aspirations are to 1) work as a supply (once I've completed my ECT years) and 2) to work abroad 3) work in specialist schools not mainstream. Considering these 3 factors is it still a stupid idea to go into teaching? Thankfully my dh brings in the bulk of the income, this is something of a dream that I am looking to fulfill. Always wanted to teach, and didn't get round to it as I ended up raising a family. I currently work as a TA in a special school - that's why I am more inclined to work in one once I'm qualified.

AIBU to continue pursuing my dream considering the current climate?

OP posts:
redwinecheeseandothersnacks · 30/12/2025 15:10

My son is in his first year of teaching and is fine. It's a tough school - the kind that all the 'experts' on MN will warn about. I was a teacher (retired last year) and was always happy. You say you don't have insight but as a TA you have loads of insight so I dont know why you are posting to get feedback from lots of people who possibly know nothing about the job. That is unless you wanted to start a 'teaching is a really bad career' thread and there are already plenty of those.

Oioiqueen · 30/12/2025 15:34

Do what you think will make you happy. Its your career not anyone else's.

A family member trained as a primary teacher. Taught in some PRU's and supply in mainstream. Then went and taught ESOL (I think it's called) abroad for three years. He returned to the UK for 2025 and is soon to be back in another part of the world for another two year stint. He absolutely loves it, has friends world wide and uses his salary to visit countries near to where he is living in the school holidays. Basically doing the travelling he wanted to do in his 20's but felt he needed to get a career. It's a life that makes him happy.

NotMyKidsThough · 30/12/2025 18:30

OMFG. Teach by all means. And get yourself into a private school.
I didn't do this. I didn't have a PGCE or whatever it's called now. So I did Supply. I blush to say this now, but I wanted to teach.

Unfortunately, that is not what Supply is about.

Supply is the regular teacher has had a breakdown/has been double booked with an exam/their car has broken down because on a teacher's salary they can't afford a decent car that doesn't break down/they just cannot f*ing face another day of this and called in sick.

You will, or won't get a phone call at 07:50 am. You'd better be up and dressed and ready to get in your car. Yes, obviously, you might not have work that day, but as Supply you're worth slightly less than s**t.

Wnen you get there - this happened to me - you could be in the car-park when the agency phones to say - "Oops, sorry, they cancelled." Your day is now F*ed and you aren't getting paid for it. Let's assume they didn't make that call and you're actually checked in to the school.

Great. First you have to find the classroom. "It's over there, turn left at the canteem, keep going past Gym and you'll find it" passes for a comprehensive induction. But now the lesson plan. It could be German, Science, RE., or, God forbid, your subject, the one you know a bit about. The record was a two-sentence lesson plan.

Two sentences. No context, no warnings, no direction. Forget all that crap. You aren't there to teach. You're there to fuflfill the quasi-legal requirement to cover that lesson and try to make sure nobody actually dies during it. Catch a kid with a knife in class, jabbing another pupil OMG SORRY, I meant learner? Good luck, because you won't get any backup. Matey will be back in your next cover as large as life, secure in the knowledge that nothing is going to happen to him.

It's brilliant when the kid who couldn't do anything one day can, thanks to you. There is no other feeling like it. You might, might, might, have actually changed somebody's life.

But the chances of doing that as Supply are vanishingly small. Private/public school kids can be an utterly entitled pain in the arse. But there is some expectation that you're supposed to be there as more than a child-minder.

Don't do Supply.

Original poster
SunsetOnTheHorizon · 31/12/2025 03:57

redwinecheeseandothersnacks · 30/12/2025 15:10

My son is in his first year of teaching and is fine. It's a tough school - the kind that all the 'experts' on MN will warn about. I was a teacher (retired last year) and was always happy. You say you don't have insight but as a TA you have loads of insight so I dont know why you are posting to get feedback from lots of people who possibly know nothing about the job. That is unless you wanted to start a 'teaching is a really bad career' thread and there are already plenty of those.

Oh - that was not my intention at all. Genuinely, I don't have any teacher friends and the ones I work with, I don't socialise with or chat about career aspirations etc.

Consider this as market research for me. With 4 kids and nearing 40 years old, a part of me thinks - I'm past it, and there's not a chance in hell I can do it (list all the negatives about the profession) and the other part says "just get a move on already!" I needed some real time opinions.

OP posts:
Original poster
SunsetOnTheHorizon · 31/12/2025 03:58

NotMyKidsThough · 30/12/2025 18:30

OMFG. Teach by all means. And get yourself into a private school.
I didn't do this. I didn't have a PGCE or whatever it's called now. So I did Supply. I blush to say this now, but I wanted to teach.

Unfortunately, that is not what Supply is about.

Supply is the regular teacher has had a breakdown/has been double booked with an exam/their car has broken down because on a teacher's salary they can't afford a decent car that doesn't break down/they just cannot f*ing face another day of this and called in sick.

You will, or won't get a phone call at 07:50 am. You'd better be up and dressed and ready to get in your car. Yes, obviously, you might not have work that day, but as Supply you're worth slightly less than s**t.

Wnen you get there - this happened to me - you could be in the car-park when the agency phones to say - "Oops, sorry, they cancelled." Your day is now F*ed and you aren't getting paid for it. Let's assume they didn't make that call and you're actually checked in to the school.

Great. First you have to find the classroom. "It's over there, turn left at the canteem, keep going past Gym and you'll find it" passes for a comprehensive induction. But now the lesson plan. It could be German, Science, RE., or, God forbid, your subject, the one you know a bit about. The record was a two-sentence lesson plan.

Two sentences. No context, no warnings, no direction. Forget all that crap. You aren't there to teach. You're there to fuflfill the quasi-legal requirement to cover that lesson and try to make sure nobody actually dies during it. Catch a kid with a knife in class, jabbing another pupil OMG SORRY, I meant learner? Good luck, because you won't get any backup. Matey will be back in your next cover as large as life, secure in the knowledge that nothing is going to happen to him.

It's brilliant when the kid who couldn't do anything one day can, thanks to you. There is no other feeling like it. You might, might, might, have actually changed somebody's life.

But the chances of doing that as Supply are vanishingly small. Private/public school kids can be an utterly entitled pain in the arse. But there is some expectation that you're supposed to be there as more than a child-minder.

Don't do Supply.

Yikes! (Crosses 'supply' off the list of future roles with a permanent marker!)

OP posts:
Original poster
SunsetOnTheHorizon · 31/12/2025 04:01

Oioiqueen · 30/12/2025 15:34

Do what you think will make you happy. Its your career not anyone else's.

A family member trained as a primary teacher. Taught in some PRU's and supply in mainstream. Then went and taught ESOL (I think it's called) abroad for three years. He returned to the UK for 2025 and is soon to be back in another part of the world for another two year stint. He absolutely loves it, has friends world wide and uses his salary to visit countries near to where he is living in the school holidays. Basically doing the travelling he wanted to do in his 20's but felt he needed to get a career. It's a life that makes him happy.

Genuinely this is my main plan. Get to a point where I am qualified enough to teach abroad. I know many schools want the PGCe or QTS as standard. But I know, some people have studied a TESOL for example and have got jobs in primary schools.

OP posts:
Blizzardofleaves · 31/12/2025 04:34

You sound perfect for teaching. I would continue. The long holidays are very appealing too! We have 21 days holiday annually and it’s exhausting.

Many/most professional jobs have very long hours, a lot of pressure and responsibility without the very long generous holidays for half the year that are paid!

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 31/12/2025 07:59

Blizzardofleaves · 31/12/2025 04:34

You sound perfect for teaching. I would continue. The long holidays are very appealing too! We have 21 days holiday annually and it’s exhausting.

Many/most professional jobs have very long hours, a lot of pressure and responsibility without the very long generous holidays for half the year that are paid!

Edited

Teacherss aren’t paid for holidays. And when l was teaching l spent most of them working.

Shinyandnew1 · 31/12/2025 11:09

Blizzardofleaves · 31/12/2025 04:34

You sound perfect for teaching. I would continue. The long holidays are very appealing too! We have 21 days holiday annually and it’s exhausting.

Many/most professional jobs have very long hours, a lot of pressure and responsibility without the very long generous holidays for half the year that are paid!

Edited

Yet, despite those absolutely amazing holidays, there is still a massive recruitment and retention issue within teaching.

SevenYellowHammers · 31/12/2025 13:09

Shinyandnew1 · 31/12/2025 11:09

Yet, despite those absolutely amazing holidays, there is still a massive recruitment and retention issue within teaching.

Show quote history

Yeah. If you’re attracted to teaching for the holidays, ask yourself are you willing to wait for the holidays to see your friends and family, to help your elderly parents, to go to the gym, to have a night out, go to a festival, to have a weekend away, to make a GP appointment, to get your hair cut, to decorate and clean your house, to do a hobby, go to a gig, go to the cinema, go to the theatre, read a book, watch a tv series, go to your faith services or meetings, attend political meetings, have a medical procedure, attend antenatal, see your kids…. Yep if you don’t mind putting this off until the wonderful holidays go right ahead! I’m here to tell you (after 25 years full time teaching) that it’s not a life I’d recommend. It used to be just about do-able but with the “non negotiable “ “accountability “ “zero tolerance “ attitude of senior management it has become unbearable. Trust me!

Mistletoeiggi · 31/12/2025 13:11

Blizzardofleaves · 31/12/2025 04:34

You sound perfect for teaching. I would continue. The long holidays are very appealing too! We have 21 days holiday annually and it’s exhausting.

Many/most professional jobs have very long hours, a lot of pressure and responsibility without the very long generous holidays for half the year that are paid!

Edited

Half the year?

Shinyandnew1 · 31/12/2025 13:51

the very long generous holidays for half the year that are paid!

Where do you live then, that teachers get 26 weeks paid holiday?

And why don't you go and retrain so you can join them, if it's so amazing?!

Lins77 · 31/12/2025 13:54

My DIL is a teacher, and loves her job - admittedly more so since she moved to a different school a couple of years ago.

OttersMayHaveShifted · 31/12/2025 13:58

Blizzardofleaves · 31/12/2025 04:34

You sound perfect for teaching. I would continue. The long holidays are very appealing too! We have 21 days holiday annually and it’s exhausting.

Many/most professional jobs have very long hours, a lot of pressure and responsibility without the very long generous holidays for half the year that are paid!

Edited

🙄 Teachers aren't paid for holidays, even though most of us spend a large chunk of them working. And in England we teach 39 weeks of the year - I don't think your maths is quite up to scratch.

Diamond7272 · 31/12/2025 15:53

I feel that in your 40s with 4 children, you are past the economically viable years. Yes, you can do it. Take out a student loan for a PGCE... But what's the point? By the time you qualify you will be the least experienced teacher on the staff of any school and likely one of the oldest, older than the head or deputy if an ordinary primary school. At best you've got a 5 or 6 year career on a salary in the 26k to 32k range over that time..

I've taught in 5 schools from 2001 to 2017 with a gap in the middle... None have any staff now aged 50+. Even the army of dinner ladies and TA's have morphed from very capable ladies in their 50s and 60s to young mums in their early to mid 20s.. if indeed there are any employed in those roles.

I don't want to be cruel, though sound it, but for a 'career' in teaching you've missed the boat... It's a sub aged 35 career now, someone without parental responsibilities, elderly parents responsibilities, likely without a mortgage and still renting... Yes, you can try it for a few years, but the money isn't worth the effort and bother... The PGCE is a breaker.

And regarding jobs overseas, they are mostly private schools wanting experience of working in UK private schools for a good 2 or 3 years... Competition for those tax free jobs is fierce, often against 30 somethings with 8 or 9 years in the classroom who need to save serious money for a deposit. Before you can get an overseas job you'll need experience of a UK private school or good academy or grammar... To get that job you'll need to know about common entrance, scholarship exams, Duke of Edinburgh awards, etc etc...

My advice, don't get ahead of yourself. There's a long journey to get that job at the end in Qatar or UAE, and your odds are much lower when you are up against 20 or early 30 somethings who can offer after school activities a-plenty, are unmarried, have no visa issues with a spouse or educational requirements for their children.

Harsh, but how it is.

Diamond7272 · 31/12/2025 16:10

Remember too, these schools abroad often pay 'local wages'... My aunt worked as a teacher at peponi house, Kenya. Salary UK equivalent to £17,500. Hardly worth it financially, more a lifestyle choice.

The money, yes, is in the middle East and far East... Just remember, maybe 30k to 50k tax free but their rules... If you have a partner, you must be married to live together or have sex. Failing that equals prison. No alcohol in some places, although a blind eye is sometimes turned. No homosexuality allowed, so not an easy place for gay teachers, their friends and family - Singapore, which pays well, being a prime example..

PoptartPoptart · 31/12/2025 16:24

I was a TA then an HLTA for 10 years before I decided to go back to uni and get my teaching qualifications.

You’d think after all that time I would know what I was signing up for… nope!

Both jobs are hard in different ways. But the jump from HLTA to teacher hit me really hard.

The extra workload is significant. The extra responsibility also weighs heavily as the buck stops with me. Being completely responsible for the planning, delivery, safeguarding, pupil outcomes, data, etc etc is hard.

I work 8-5 every day (I get paid 8.45am - 3.45pm). I also work roughly an hour each night when I get home. A typical weekend is probably 4-5 hours. Half terms 1-2 days.
And that is just to get the absolute essentials done.

As much as I love the actual teaching side of my job and working with children, I’m not sure I would make the same choice again if I could go back in time.

SevenYellowHammers · 31/12/2025 16:25

Diamond7272 · 31/12/2025 16:10

Remember too, these schools abroad often pay 'local wages'... My aunt worked as a teacher at peponi house, Kenya. Salary UK equivalent to £17,500. Hardly worth it financially, more a lifestyle choice.

The money, yes, is in the middle East and far East... Just remember, maybe 30k to 50k tax free but their rules... If you have a partner, you must be married to live together or have sex. Failing that equals prison. No alcohol in some places, although a blind eye is sometimes turned. No homosexuality allowed, so not an easy place for gay teachers, their friends and family - Singapore, which pays well, being a prime example..

They want top degrees/ qualifications too . As I said to OP , if you’ve got a burning ambition to be a teacher, do it . From what I understand post graduate qualification is on the job now, you’ll be in a school being a cheap labour source in no time. Get your QTS after two years and you’re there. Progression is hard, work is impossible, salary shit, life/work balance dreadful but it’s not boring… well actually transferred numbers onto spreadsheets and staff meetings are mind numbingly boring as is reading AI generated emails from your boss and listening to them deliver dreary (also AI) PowerPoints about the latest senior leadership fad (line up, front and centre, non negotiable, live marking , oracy - don’t worry it rotates very year) but you know, the kids are great: funny, resilient and resourceful but don’t be caught having a laugh with them or enjoying teaching them because that’ll get be wrong. But yeah do it. Make are your pension is going to pay off, save some “fuck off” money, work part time if can, for God’s sake make sure your union subs are paid …

tinyspiny · 31/12/2025 16:28

Our eldest is an assistant head teacher , he moans about work occasionally but I can’t see him doing anything else . He has a friend who left teaching and she was back within two months . They are both in secondary . So I say go for it @SunsetOnTheHorizon

SevenYellowHammers · 31/12/2025 16:35

SevenYellowHammers · 31/12/2025 16:25

They want top degrees/ qualifications too . As I said to OP , if you’ve got a burning ambition to be a teacher, do it . From what I understand post graduate qualification is on the job now, you’ll be in a school being a cheap labour source in no time. Get your QTS after two years and you’re there. Progression is hard, work is impossible, salary shit, life/work balance dreadful but it’s not boring… well actually transferred numbers onto spreadsheets and staff meetings are mind numbingly boring as is reading AI generated emails from your boss and listening to them deliver dreary (also AI) PowerPoints about the latest senior leadership fad (line up, front and centre, non negotiable, live marking , oracy - don’t worry it rotates very year) but you know, the kids are great: funny, resilient and resourceful but don’t be caught having a laugh with them or enjoying teaching them because that’ll get be wrong. But yeah do it. Make are your pension is going to pay off, save some “fuck off” money, work part time if can, for God’s sake make sure your union subs are paid …

Show quote history

Sorry, forgot to mention that you’ll need a spare room with desk and broadband for all the hours of marking , admin and lesson prep. Reliable transport to get you there for 7.30am and home again for 7pm (9pm on a parents evening) and. Next account for boring clothes which fit with staff dress code- just to ensure you really lose any sense of your own identity…

TheAngryPuxie · 31/12/2025 16:43

I've heard that teaching abroad is ok. I don't teach in s special school but my sister did gor her entire career and used to love it but retired early saying that ehat used to be genuine need is often simply bad behaviour these days.

I teach English and I wouldn't advise anyone to go into teaching. Behaviour is often appalling, the students often don't want to learn and you end up working a lot harder than they do. As a secondary English teacher my workload was excessive and the pay generally poor. I think you get paid more if you teach in a special school, though.

Diamond7272 · 31/12/2025 16:53

tinyspiny · 31/12/2025 16:28

Our eldest is an assistant head teacher , he moans about work occasionally but I can’t see him doing anything else . He has a friend who left teaching and she was back within two months . They are both in secondary . So I say go for it @SunsetOnTheHorizon

I'd love to know how a teacher can 'leave teaching and be back in 2 months'... Unless he/she is supply.

Teaching jobs begin on inset day one day before the official school term begins. To quit you need to give a full term's written notice, the 1st school day of the autumn term is too late (term has officially begun) - you are trapped til the end of the lent term in April. Ah, another 'joy' of teaching no one tells you about - most other jobs it's a 1 month notice period. In teaching it can be Sept to April, so 8 mths notice... You can leave immediately, but get ready for talk of unprofessionalism, union action, threats of being struck off/penalised without a good excuse such as being proven to be seriously unwell...

If you don't know an experienced teacher who can tell you all this stuff, don't even consider teaching in your 40s with 4 children...

Yes, you can begin at other times midway through a term if a staff member has died or something like that, but you can't quit, then come back 2 months later... That's just fiction unless you are a non class teacher, so maybe a sports specialist on the unqualified teacher scale...

Shinyandnew1 · 31/12/2025 18:27

Teaching jobs begin on inset day one day before the official school term begins. To quit you need to give a full term's written notice, the 1st school day of the autumn term is too late (term has officially begun) - you are trapped til the end of the lent term in April.

That's not true though. You give half a term's notice, which needs to be given at the 'half' term. So, you resign by October half term and leave at Christmas.

ECT22 · 31/12/2025 18:32

Haven’t RTFT, but just wanted to say, I retrained as a teacher in my 40s, with kids, and I adore it. Love working with teenagers, love the job. It’s intense and stressful, but when you’ve had a ‘normal’ job for years, the holidays seem like an incredible gift. The key is finding the right school with good behaviour and supportive leadership. So do your research when job hunting. The money isn’t amazing, but it’s not bad and the pension is good. I do think you need to feel an absolute passion for it though. It would be a LOT without the love for the job.