2ndary teachers: how long are the hours, really?

[SoftFroggie]

I am considering not returning to my current job at the end of my mat leave, and in a few years retraining - possibly as a 2ndary science (chemistry) teacher. The most off-putting thing is the frequent comments about how long the hours are. So what hours do you really work? How long is an average day during term-time? How many of these hours are 'flexible' and how many at fixed times? how many hours do you realistically do in the school-holidays? Is it flexible when you do these hours? How many weeks are term/time and how many holidays? How family-unfriendly is it, really?

Any chemistry teachers? I've a few specific questions, too.

Is it a completely mad idea? At the moment to do my 'nominally' 22.5hr/week job I spend about 30 hrs at work.

What are your degrees in?

RTKM - can I CAT you with the answer?

Yes sure can

Have CATted.

oke doke

DH is writing reports in other room as soon as it comes through will ask him about it

CAT came

Kangadaddy read it then told me what to type

and replied by email

First couple of years are the worst, but if you stay in same school, becomes easier in terms of lesson planning etc as you get to grips this the curriculum . I find job to be up and down in terms of hrs spent ie at report time/course work marking. Benefits are am off when my daughter is off from school and honestly 12wks holiday a year on a good salary where else could you find a job like that! Daily hours needed in school good, and means can do the 'mum' thing when I get home. Generally work in evening when kids in bed. So fits in well, as long as you are orgainsed and prepared to sacrifice some weekends for school work. Also hate parents evenings as don't get to see my kids at all onthose nights

Would never consider supply work - can you remeber what you were like to supply teachers! Lambs to the slaughter!

Soft Froggie,

My degree is in Chemical Engineering and I had no trouble in meeting the PGCE requirements or in getting a job as a Physics/Chemistry specialist.

Glad to hear it, ambrosia.

I'm just relaying my own experience of observing supply teachers in the school I taught in. There wasn't any expectation on them to do anything other than "cover" a lesson - how could they, if they hadn't planned anything and didn't know the children or where they were at?

It was different for supply teachers who were brought in to cover a longer or planned absence.

Not a science teacher but from what i see in schools round here they'll employ any science to teach any science IYSWIM. They'd obviously prefer the right ones but if they can't then they'll do what they can to fill the vacancy

Ameriscot - you don't need a qualifiactaion to do suypply any more - now schools are allowed to employed non teaching staff to do 'cover lessons' and pay them at a lower rate (of course!) - My school does it, and I see it being advertised more and more in the local paper (more's the pity).

Ah, didn't know that, Rarrie .

Is it fair to say that anyone going through supply agency would need to be qualified?

Havent read other messages.
When I worked full time I would be at work at 7.30 and leave at 5.30 although Friday was earlier, maybe 4.30. tn my first year I also worked at home some evenings and then Sunday evening. MEetings after school once a week and before once a week. Add 5 parents evenings and concerts on.

Now I am parttime doing 3 days but still do 30 hours. I've tried to cut back but havent managed to.

I am now leaving mainstream after 4 years to work in a school for children with severe disabilties and tbh I cant see myself ever going back to mainstream again.

I have had enough of being told to Fuck off, lack of respect, schools obsessed with league tables and being too exhausted to spend time with my own kids.

That said I wont leave it all together as the highs are amazing and the holidays brillian.

Sory to have missed this, just got back from a mini holiday with the kids!

I went into teaching after doing lots of different jobs and I find it very rewarding.

I am in schoo for 8.30 breifing . If dh can take the children to school I go in for 7.30 to get marking etc done. We finish school at 3.00 but have at least 1 after school meeting a fortnight. We have at least 2 parents evenings a term, with one open evening and one presentation evening as well.

I do stay in school till 4.30 once a week but other days I try to leave on time, so that I can collect my kids from school.

I usualy do 1-2 hours parking-prep each night. I have all day Saterday off, but I work for 3-4 hours on a Sunday when I prepare all my lessons for the week. I realise this is much less than peopl eteaching english etc.

the amount of marking rises when the kids do course work, but them there is less preparation needed for their lessons so that helps a bit.

The holidays are great, and tbh I have found this the best job I have even done. CAT me if I can be of furtherhelp.

Thanks HMB: so you do generally 8 hrs per day, and an extra hr once or twice a week, plus Sundays, plus 4 evenings per term? Your hours are on the short side compared to many of the posters here - is that due to subject / responsibilites / personal discipline / the school not having tons of meetings?

How do you manage your work at home: kids in bed or while they do homework? how do you find the exhaustion when doming home to your own children?

What about during the school holidays?

Did you start after having children, and if so, how did you manage the PGCE and NQT year?

You teach science? is it possible to get p/t jobs or are they gold-dust?

Many thanks - I'm feeling a big dilema about committing to my current career or planning a change...

I work an 80% time table. I'm not sure how easy they are to get, I haven't been teaching that long myself. I use my 'free' time to plan lessons and do as much marking as I can in school.

I started after I had the kids, and did my PGCE via the OU. Dh was away at war for part of it! My kids are in a private school that has pre and post school care which I used as and when I need it. I also have a cleaner twice a week!

I am fairly swift at planning and have most of the stages mapped out fairly well. I do extra planning to suit the needs of different classes but most of the lessons are 'done' IYSWIM. I don't have to do much preparation in my subject knowlege, except for sixth form lessons, and that cuts down some work.

I'll be doing some marking this summer as I have several classes doing course work.

I have to say that it is the most interesting job that I have ever done, sometimes the most anoying and definatly the most rewarding thing that I have done except have my own kids.

See if you can spend a week in your local comp and see what you think of it.

Oh I do an extra hour or two most nights!

Oh and I'm a bog standard, classroom teacher with no extra responsibilities like head of year or head of department. take things like that on and the work load rises!

Thanks all so much. All this info gives me something to ponder about. I'm planning to sign up for some OU chemistry courses to brush up / top up my chemistry, so that'll be my aim for the next 2-3 yrs. I'll also try to line up some time in the local high school (state). If I were to do the PGCE, it'd probably be via the OU, but not for a few years.

It's lovely to get such a mixed range of responses about why people like / dislike teaching and why you are all delighted to get into / out of it! Many thanks.

Soft Froggie, if you are thinking of going into teaching, there's always the GTP where you are employed as a teacher and train at the same time. Some people are skeptical of it, But I know a few people who have worked as teachings assistants, and then gone into teaching that way. They think its great!

Might be an option to consider!

HTH

Rarrie - looks like a good programme, but as a science teacher I'd get the 'priority subject' bonus if I do a PGCE but not via the GTP, so I think that tips the money side of things.

I would suggest that PGCE can be a better way to go as you have a chance to see more departments and how they work rather than one. Works both ways though. As for hours I work alot but always have saturdays off and 2 nights a week. I am working towards applying for AST in MFL as I reckon that that has to be more enjoyable than the admin I have to do now. Used to be HOD but went to 2nd after birth of dd. teaching can also be very hard if partner does not understand the job IMO however. I love my job and working with young people. Sometimes really hate the in politics and work load though.

But from Sep 2006 you have to pay top up fees for PGCEs too. (up to £3000)