Is primary teaching in Ireland a good choice nowadays?

[CanIHaveChocolatePlease]

Hi, and sorry for the long post!
I’m really on the fence about whether primary teaching is the right job / course for me or not, so would really appreciate your honest advice and opinions.
I live at the edge of a town in in Co.Tipperary in Ireland, so am about 40 minutes away from the nearest city and primary teaching uni if that makes any difference (and am willing to relocate down the line).

After having considered doing primary teaching for years, but not getting the Irish or points I needed in my Leaving Cert, I’m still wondering whether I should go for it or not (especially now that I am 23 so could do it as a mature student, even if it means having to do an access course to get the minimum entry requirements, so dragging my training out by another year)?

Aside from having always dreamt of having a nicely decorated classroom with lovely books, stationery and resources, I love the idea of helping kids to learn a wide variety of things and develop as people, and being part of a school community that carries out different events etc.

But now that I’ve worked in all the different rooms / age groups (from 0-12) in a crèche for a few months, it has made me really doubt whether teaching is the right career or not. Despite my best attempts, I often struggle to get the kids to co-operate, listen to or respect me (and know that some parents can be the same, or even worse!) and worry if I’d be able for all the lesson planning and other paperwork. And seeing about people on here’s struggles to get interviews or jobs makes me realise that teaching isn’t the perfect ‘job for life’ like people used to think it was.

My other career preference for the last while is to do something in the music / performing arts industry. I’d definitely be very late to that game, and my parents have fairly pointed out that my job prospects could be very bleak, but I feel that it could be more a more enjoyable and less stressful course / job wise than teaching could be. I’d even like the idea of doing music teaching in schools, as that way I could combine my love of kids and education with music, and get to work with kids of different ages, backgrounds and abilities in a variety of schools, rather than always being with the same kids in the same school. And if I did a music course, I could always branch into secondary music teaching if I still had a graw for teaching at this stage (whereas if I do primary teaching that’s all I can really do with that degree). I’m also interested in TEFL teaching but know that I can have any undergrad degree for that.

I’d really appreciate people on here’s advice, as I know that you will be honest and realistic about primary teaching as a course and job, to help guide me on the best career path.

Teaching can be lovely, if you get a permanent job in a well run school, it can be a dream. The children are just lovely, much easier than creche age. Especially from first to third class where they are able to manage most things fairly independently, are very set on being good and following rules, relentlessly curious about the world and full of fun! It's hard, exhausting and unrelenting as well though. Physically demanding, emotionally draining. There will always be children that you are up at night worrying about.

Maybe give your local school a ring? They may able to give you some hours that could give you a clearer idea.

There may also be a local music school, give them a ring and ask them what their process is for hiring staff, what qualifications you would need and what kind of hours they offer.

I've asked my niece (who is on here from time to time) to consider posting a reply. She had worked in technology area for several years after college, but changed career and went back primary teaching as a mature student. She did it for family and work-life balance reasons, and it has worked out great for her.

As a previous poster mentioned the "job in a well run school" is all important, but it's like that in all jobs I guess, where you work and who you work with is a key component.

Some friends of mine have tried music/performing arts. Based on what I've seen first hand it can be a very hard career and financially challenging plus lacking stability and irregular hours and work. However, I do recognize people are passionate about it, but l've steered my kids away from that area.

Primary teaching is lovely..been one for years. Don't worry about feeling children don't listen etc as when you have your own class you carry more authority and remember you still have to train so will learn lots of strategies there.
There will always be jobs as children have to be taught. Sometimes it takes a while to get a permanent job but all experience is worthwhile.
Go for it. You will use music/ arts in your classroom but as a career that could be less reliable. At 23 you mightn't mind that but, believe me, it becomes important as you go along.

Aren't future classes shrinking and a surplus of teachers predicted? Definitely have a look at demographics before making a decision

As a potential combination of these two vocations, you could consider becoming a music therapist? The NHS in England has funding available for people to train in this area. Don't let being a 23 (!) year old mature student put you off. I'm 40 and you'd be surprised the number of people who've got to my age with kids and a mortgage and suddenly decided they need to retrain into an entirely different career.

@AnnandJane you'd need to be willing to apply to do the vocational course at a UK institution, as far I know Irish nationality wouldn't preclude you from doing this.

What did you do in the end OP

Yes how did it pan out? I've only just seen this thread but I know a woman who resat Irish honours in her late 20s and is training to teach primary.

Hi again everyone, and thanks for checking in with me!☺️
Sorry for not answering sooner!😬🙉

To answer your questions, things haven't changed that much since I last posted on here😶

I was finding my crèche job increasingly difficult (a mix of staff that weren't very easy to work with and finding the childcare job itself quite difficult, between kids regularly ignoring me and all the nappies, snacks etc you'd have to do, I just found it too much)😞
So after thinking about it for ages, I finished working there last week🥲

All going well, I am going to try get some school experience in the new year (to see if I'd actually like to work on a school like I've often dreamt of, as I never got to do my course placements because of Covid)🙂

During the last few weeks, I came across this new and interesting sounded BA (Hons) degree in Inclusive Education Practice through Portobello Institute😊;
portobelloinstitute.com/courses/blended-learning/new-ba-hons-inclusive-education-practice-february/

If anyone has any opinions, advice etc on either the course itself (my parents are understandably concerned that it mightn't be that well recognised or regarded, especially as the degree is awarded by a UK university) or on Portobello Institute itself I'd really appreciate that!☺️

So I am really considering starting the blended format of that course in February, so that I can get a unique seeming degree that I could use to work with kids in some way, whilst also potentially being able to use it to get onto a primary teaching PME down the line🤗

As for the music side of things, I still often dream of working in that sector, but deep down know that it's not a realistic option for me😞

My parents feel that I'd be better not going down the teaching route at all and instead would be better doing something like pharmacy technician (I've worked a few Saturdays in a pharmacy and do like it, but know that I'll probably miss work item with kids too much to do that long-term), so who knows what I'll end up doing and where I'll end up doing it🤯

Thanks again everyone, and sorry again for the long reply!🙈

Hi OP 👋 Have you ever thought about going to a career guidance counsellor to explore your options?

Hi, I have considered doing that before but don't know how much they'd be able to help me (especially given how indecisive I am!)

I would second career guidance/coaching. I hit a block in my career (work stress, parent dying etc) and she did a whole strength and personality profile with me and set me back on track.
Always focus on your strengths - do more of what you are good and you will both enjoy and be good at it.
It sounds to me like you want to work with people a lot - so a pharmacy job is a bit limiting that way.

Inclusive education could be a good path - with increased recognition of autism, dyslexia and other neurodiverse conditions there will be great demand for this in the future. And it’s totally people focused.

There is a great book you can get to start looking into this - Strengthsfinder by Don Clifton. Comes with a code to do their quiz online and get a personalised profile.
Also I highly recommend doing your MBTI profile - look at www.personalitypage.com.

Honestly OP, don't do that course, it won't qualify you for anything. Do teaching if you want a qualification and then you can branch..
If you went to Australia (I don't know about other countries) you could teach music in primary schools on its own, unfortunately that's not really an option here..

just from reading your posts I wonder if a career guidance counsellor could

• explore options you haven’t thought of
• do some testing around strengths and preferences
• go through alternative options and routes.

you already made it to uni so you know it’s not a question of not being smart enough. It does sound like you need to find your independent adult voice, even if the answer leads you somewhere your parents might not recommend or be aware of.there are so many more careers and jobs than any of us are aware of. If music is your area of interest, there might be lots of music jobs you never considered. If science is your thing there are loads of funded options right now like Springboard.

If you’re still thinking of teaching I wonder could you register as a sub teacher locally to get some experience in a mainstream classroom? Volunteer with groups supporting Ukrainian children learning English?

I had a quick look at that course at Portobello - to be honest , if the aim is to get you into the classroom as a teacher I would aim for the usual teaching course/Hibernia/U.K. PGCE. The Portobello course is good as a foundation for further study as far as I can see. I imagine grads would go into places like Brothers of Charity or COPE Foundation but honestly it’s a convoluted route if the aim is teaching and the fees are high.

best of luck.

Thanks for all the helpful answers everyone, I really appreciate them!

I just thought that that Inclusive Education degree could be a good way of getting a broader degree, before then branching into teaching if I still wanted (I don't have an undergrad degree so need to get a degree in any subject in order to consider any form of teaching) - almost like a stepping stone to further study like you said CliffsofMohair (cool username btw!)
I also thought it could be a good subject to have an undergrad in, so that I might be more desirable for SET teacher type jobs and roles.

I'm surprised to see people saying that it's expensive, as the fees for the blended option (which I'd go for as it would save me on travel costs and time whilst allowing me to stay working during it, something I couldn't do if I went back to uni full-time) are on par with the fees for a normal in-person degree.

Thanks again everyone, lots of thinking (and book and personality quiz researching!) for me to do!

If you want to do primary you can just get a degree in teaching rather than another degree and then doing teaching.. There are postgrads you could do then in special education etc... Honestly, I wouldn't rate that college against the teaching ones or universities..

Just wanted to bump this thread, as I am thinking about applying for Primary teaching myself. I had thought it a few years ago and for various reasons talked myself out of it. I'm 38, and wouldn't be able to do the Masters for another year or two (I currently have family caring commitments), so I know realistically I would be early 40's by the time I qualified which isn't ideal, but I suppose life experience counts for something right?

I have a degree in Psychology and also have the Irish LC higher level grade requirements - I actually went to an Irish speaking secondary school and was fairly fluent at one stage, but haven't really used it since - but I reckon I could brush up enough in a few months to do well in the TEG oral exam.

The main issue would be I don't have actual experience dealing with kids. Would that count much against me?

If I wanted to volunteer in a local school, would they expect me to have some childcare qualification or anything? Do they even take on volunteers? I was thinking of asking to do some shadowing in the new year, but that would only be for a few days and wouldn't count for much in terms of experience working with kids.

Has anybody done the PME in the last few years, and could give any tips for applying? Thanks.

@Farmageddon
I know you asked your question ages ago, just browsing and found it.
My advice to anyone who wants to do teaching would be: try to get a few weeks in a school and see if you like it! It might be exactly what you thought, it might be completely different.
I'm not sure what schools would require Garda Vetting wise but email your 10 nearest schools, explain your situation and see what they say.
Best of luck

Thanks for that advice!

Hi CoffeeTaster, thanks so much for the advice - I will look into doing this in the next few weeks. I agree that the reality of teaching may be very different than I expect.