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Original poster

teachers..questions for you from someone considering teaching as a career

28 replies

Sandi102 · 21/09/2004 17:03

hi. I'm currently on maternity leave (ds2 is 5 months and ds1 is 5yrs). I work as a librarian in local governent, have done for the last 4 years. I'm in the final year of my degree (information Studies) and I'm considering teaching as a career. I'm particularly interested in sedondary ICT. I've read from other threads that teaching isn't family friendly and there was me about to embark on doing a flexible PGCE in secondary ICT. I've just applied for the student associates scheme, where i can go to a school and observe teaching, planning and assessment.

In reality is it really hard to juggle teaching with family life too?

can someone give me a breakdown of what percentage of time is spent teaching, planning and assessing?

does working full time mean an 8.30am until 3.30pm day?

OP posts:
Spanna2 · 21/09/2004 17:11

As a RE classroom teacher I was working from 730-330 at work, with half an hour for lunch) I would usually have an hour's meeting a week, either in lunchtime or after school. I would come home more or less at the end of the school day (to avoid traffic and eat)Have tea and then do marking and/or planning for an hour or so. There are obviously busier times, like for reports and exam times. I left when I had DD cos i don't think I could do it full time, physically or mentally!! Most of my friends have gone part time or supply (like me) The Head of ICT at the school where I work has 2 under 6 and works full time but is getting a bit cheesed off with it all! the beauty of teaching is that you can do supply either on a contract or casual and get paid the same but without all the workload after school finishes!! Suits me!!

hercules · 21/09/2004 17:13

Working full time means for me at school by 7.30 am (and I'm one of the last in) and leave between 5 and 6pm.( 4pm on a Friday).

I then work at home and weekends for probably another 4-6 or so hours a week. This can differ according to reports, exams etc.
It is not family friendly either. I miss all kids school events. I am homw during holidays though which is great although I still have to pay childcare for this time.

hercules · 21/09/2004 17:14

Hi, spanna. I'm re too! Also part time now.

hercules · 21/09/2004 17:15

Lunch is for us 40 minutes and a 20 minute break in the morning.

Spanna2 · 21/09/2004 17:16

Hi hercules....a rare, endangered breed!! Nice to 'meet you'!!

hercules · 21/09/2004 17:18

Where did you train? I was Kings in London.

Original poster
Sandi102 · 21/09/2004 17:18

gosh..what a long day!..spanna the supply teaching sounds interesting, but would agencies consider taking on NQT's?

OP posts:
Original poster
Sandi102 · 21/09/2004 17:19

can i ask, are you teaching all day, or do you have "free" (using this word with caution) periods, for planning etc.?

OP posts:
hercules · 21/09/2004 17:21

You have to complete your NQT year in a certain time limit. I wouldnt recommend supply. It is a sh*t job!

Spanna2 · 21/09/2004 17:33

NQT's can supply and supply isn't too bad..if you weigh up the pro's and cons. I wouldn't recommend it for NQT though! It's not interesting enough for one, and you want to use all the things you've learnt and get a firm grounding. I supply direct with school so I pick and choose where I go and get paid more than through an agency...I work supply on a conract and at the school where i used to work, so I know the kids and the staff and the way the school works. You do get 'free' periods but some are used to cover absent staff (up to an hour a week). I think I used to get 2 and a half hours free a week. (?!) I trained in Leeds.

Yorkiegirl · 21/09/2004 18:01

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Yorkiegirl · 21/09/2004 18:03

Message withdrawn

Yorkiegirl · 21/09/2004 18:03

Message withdrawn

hana · 21/09/2004 18:25

I don't think teaching works if you're considering a full time position and have young children.
I have a 3 year old and work part time. I did go back full time initially but it was too long of a day by the time I dropped dd off at childminders and then picked her up at the end of the day. Plus all the work (prep, IEPs, etc etc) that took up my time during evenings and weekends.
I have been working part time for 2 years now and it's excellent. I won't consider full time until she is a lot older.
with regards to how long your day is - you have to factor in travel time to school in am and pm, and then meetings or CPD responsibilities at the end of the day as well.

geogteach · 21/09/2004 19:08

Another teacher here, worked 3 days a week after DS born and found that OK went back again after DD but have found it tough with 2, now on maternity leave and not planning on going back till at least some of them are at school and then possibly supply (I know its mind numbing). The teaching bit was fine but fitting in the marking, planning, reports and the bane of my life parents evenings was a nightmare.

Hulababy · 21/09/2004 19:29

My teaching commitments are 8:30am until 3:15pm, with an hour at lunch. In order to prep my first lessons I start at between 8:00 and 8:15am (depending on traffic). I leave at 7:15am regardless. I then leave school on a non-meeting day at about 4:30pm; a meeting day 5pm, sometimes later.

My DH takes DD to nursery in a morning as it starts at 8am and I can't get there in time. I collect DD from nursery at 5:30pm, or DH does at that time on meeting days.

I actually now only work 2 days a week (plus one day teaching in a prison). I couldn't fit FT in now.

We have 6 periods a day, of 50 minutes. I get 2 x 50 minutes 'free; a week (more than average because of departmental issues). I can normally keep one of these for working in, although my room is not free at this time. I can, therefore, not do any computer-based planning and work for students - I teach ICT. I do have a lap top though for my own work. The other free is used either covering other people's lessons or doing admin tasks (again departmental issues).

I then do my planning and assessment each evening. I refuse to work on my 2 days off a week as that is mine and DD's time. So, I normally sepnd a minimum of one hour, normally two or more after DD is bed marking and planning, etc. I also work at weekends. I have more to do at courseowr=k and exam time.

Have to go a sec....will discuss more later if required.

Hulababy · 21/09/2004 19:37

Back...

BTW, my DD is not at school yet,. She goes to nursery.

Holidays are obviously very handy, but some holidays I do have a lot of work to do. For example at Feb half term and Easter I have all the coursework stuff to do. At Christmas I have the exams to either mark or set, depending on what the school is planning. October is a nice holiday for me and I normally go away. Summer break is also lovely, but again I have my prep for the coming year - and normally do my resources then too.

I still send DD to nursery in holidays - it's paid for anyway. I use those 2 days a week for work.

Some schools have different half terms/holidays - bear that in mind. Your holidays may not always match.

What else can I think of?

Oh if your child/ren is at school. You will need someone to take your child to and from school (or a school with before and after care), as you probably won't be able to do that - start and end times often clash. And meeting days (normally 1 or 2 a week depending on your seniority/position) it will obviously be a lot later.

And you will find it very very difficult to get time off to attend things like school plays, special assemblies, etc. too as schools don't normally allow you to have time off for them. If they are permitted these are normally taken at no pay. And general doctors/dental appointments are not allowed in school/meeting time.

HTH.

pixiefish · 21/09/2004 19:38

Same as Hula but English is my subject. Do 2 days, hours the same as hula- incredible pressure- no respite during the day as you're constantly responsible for up to 30 kids. i used to work in an office and if i was having an off day i could take it a bit easier- that's not the case with teaching. personally though i find the rewards outweigh the cons- job satisfaction can be good, holidays- even though there's a fair bit of work to do you can be at home to do it. At risk of being shot down in flames a lot depends on the subject...

Hulababy · 21/09/2004 19:38

NQTs can do supply and it can be a good way in to schools if you don't have a position to start with. How nice supply is depends on what and where you teach. I was to do supply this year but all that has changed - agreed to work at ld school as they are so desperate(!) and also now teaching at prison too. You get paid weekly usually, get places as and when but no holiday pay.

popsycal · 21/09/2004 19:40

In my exerience, full time is more than 8:30 til 3:30

But I am not supposed to be reading education threads

pixiefish · 21/09/2004 19:40

Oh yes I forgot- I've got an appointment at the hospital next Tuesday with dd and I'll have to take it as unpaid- with other jobs I could take it as annual leave but with teaching the holidays are set. Same for weddings, funerals etc unless it's immediate family... that can be a bummer

pixiefish · 21/09/2004 19:41

glad you're back popsycal- read the hmb... don't leave thread

popsycal · 21/09/2004 19:41

i did - thanks pixiefish
I am not back though....actually on my way out....

fisil · 21/09/2004 19:50

I always get to these threads after everyone has said all the good stuff. I work 7 a.m. til 4:30. I like the discipline of having to leave at 4:30 - before ds I would be there til 6 or 7 most nights! As I'm pg again I decided this week to attempt to leave at 4 every day to get home for a quick nap before picking ds up. Yesterday 5:15, today 4:55. Hmmph. Tomorrow will be gone 7!

I couldn't do this without dp. He has to do the morning nursery drop as nowhere is open early enough for me. And for evening events he has to do the pick up too. Luckily he's a complete star.

The other thing that hasn't been said (I think) is that teaching drains precisely that kind of energy that you want to play with your own children when you get in.

But I love my job and would recommend it to anyone. Surely every job is difficult to combine with children? Besides which, ds needs a happy mummy, which in his case is only achieved by having a teaching mummy!

Original poster
Sandi102 · 21/09/2004 20:58

HB thanks for a lovely insight. I needed to hear all these comments from real teachers. a headteacher called me today to see whether I'd be interested in the Graduate Teacher Prog, she sounded so desperate to take me on. But my friend warned me against GTP as she thinks they're too intense.

I'm in 2 minds now. Once I've graduated I don't want to stop there. I want to be doing something that is mentally stimulating, but doesn't grind me down. I've worked full time for the last 4 years but have now decided to slow down when I go back to work in Nov to 29hours a week and that's flexible. So i can start at 9.30 and finish at 2.30, plus I get all the perks of hosp appts, carer's leave etc.

I'll keep my options open I think. Do you think I'm too old to see a careers advsior? I'm 26?

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