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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

How old is too old to teach?

22 replies

Tolkienista · 14/04/2022 16:15

I'm 63.......64 in August and to my great surprise still teaching (albeit in the role of a supply teacher) in one primary school. Since Sept i've done two full weeks, but mainly 2-3 days a week on average, all ad hoc work and if i don't get any work in a week that's absolutely fine.

I'm described by the head as "a treasure," because i'm very flexible in my work practices, i'll work anywhere in the school including nursery. I get great feedback from my pupils, fellow teachers and TA's. I just feel my job keeps me feeling young and challenged too, mixing with children and younger colleagues and very much appreciated.

I do feel i'm getting pretty close to the end of my career and i've always said i'll wake up one day and know that's it time to hang up my lanyard and retire gracefully.

So my question is.........are there any more people like me (post 60) lurking in schools? apart from a TA who is a month younger than me, i'm definitely the oldest in the building. Please share your thoughts if possible. Thanks.

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FurryGiraffe · 14/04/2022 17:14

Not a teacher myself, but there's a teacher at my DC's primary school who is in her early 60s and teaching full time. She taught DS1 last year and she was fabulous. Really 'got' him and was brilliant for his academic confidence. In lockdown 2 I asked her if she could direct me to any maths resources that explained the methods DS1 was learning (so I could support him better). Her response was a 1-2-1 online session to go through the things DS1 was struggling with and I sat in so I could learn it too. She's amazing! I'm crossing my fingers she doesn't retire before DS2 gets to her class!

Soontobe60 · 14/04/2022 17:18

I’m a year younger than you.,officially retired but still teaching 2 days a week. I assume you’re getting your pension?

Maireas · 14/04/2022 17:20

I'm 62 and still a secondary school teacher. There are a few of us!

Horcruxe · 14/04/2022 17:35

I just want to say.

I hope you realise how much you're treasured by your school. Its teachers like you that make a real difference to kids lives.

I still remember my teacher, who I had in Year 2, she was amazing.

FiremanSid · 14/04/2022 19:33

I know a 76 year old, 3 day a week, secondary teacher. They're a really good teacher.

Ionlydomassiveones · 14/04/2022 19:36

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

Maireas · 14/04/2022 19:42

Thank you 😊
I do enjoy it (mostly) and I really like young people. I've seen it all before, nothing teenagers say or do surprises me, and I think they know that and respond well.

Maireas · 14/04/2022 19:43

@Ionlydomassiveones

The education system needs good teachers now more than ever - and younger teachers can learn from you. If you’re still brilliant and you enjoy it please don’t leave!

(I'm taking that as directed at teachers like me, as well as the OP!)

feellikeanalien · 14/04/2022 19:47

My mum was a teacher. She was still teaching English to refugees at the age of 86.

Maireas · 14/04/2022 19:49

@feellikeanalien

My mum was a teacher. She was still teaching English to refugees at the age of 86.

Brilliant

lozengeoflove · 14/04/2022 19:53

I’ve worked with 70 year old secondary school English teacher. She’s still teaching and is now 73. She’s brilliant!

grafittiartist · 14/04/2022 19:58

My grandmother was teaching into her 70,s.

Benjispruce4 · 14/04/2022 19:58

I’m a HLTA in 50s. My favourite teachers over the years have all been over 45 and my most fave is early 60s and she is fabulous. So inspiring to me and I rarely think of her age but she’s so experienced and wise and calm as she’s seen it all before.

Sarah13xx · 14/04/2022 20:01

We had someone who sounds exactly like you and she stayed until her 70th! She used to use the money to book holidays during term time and it would be like ‘oh Margaret’s not in this week, she’s on a cruise’ 😂 Loved her lifestyle! Covid was what eventually stopped her coming back in and she’s just retired now

Scarby9 · 14/04/2022 20:08

I had lunch today with three firmer colleagues.
One finished supply work (in one primary school where she worked 2-3 days most weeks) at the age of 71, but went in mentoring in a secondary school.until the age of 77.
One stepped down from teacher to TA at the age of 66, and continued as a TA until the pandemic called a halt (he is CEV) at the age of 75.
The other retired early from teaching at 58, but is still employed as a TA two days a week at the age of 70.
I do think they are unusual, but they loved teaching, were good at it, and neither they nor their schools saw a reason to call a halt any earlier.

JelloFishy · 14/04/2022 20:11

I did my pgce with a lovely man in his 60s that had retired and then decided he wanted to do something else. He is a wonderful chemistry teacher.

Original poster

Tolkienista · 14/04/2022 20:15

Oh wow.........thank you all for your lovely comments, I've really enjoyed reading through them. I have found that my vast experience in the classroom has equipped me with skills I never really thought I had until covering a class at a moment's notice. I remember walking in one morning and the head said, "sorry, change of plans, you're now in reception rather than year 6" turned out to be the best day I had that week, I loved it.......kept me on my toes!

I feel very privileged to work with so many different teachers and TA's not to mention the children and I'm always happy to share my resources built up over the years........stories, poems, riddles, even experiences from my life.

Keep your comments coming, I really appreciate your thoughts.

OP posts:

Soresoresore · 14/04/2022 20:17

A colleague of mine has just retired at 68.
Fantastic teacher.
Like you, he worked part-time.

We also have a regular 69 year old supply teacher. She comes in 3/4 times a week part days.

caringcarer · 14/04/2022 21:33

My older sister is a primary teacher and she works one day a week and shares job with teacher who works 4 days a week. She is 67. When other colleague had Covid twice she stepped up and taught full time for a couple of weeks twice. She also does an occasional supply day at be same school. She did tell me she was going to stop but when pandemic hit and teachers were absent with Covid she felt compelled to continue for duration of pandemic.

Kite22 · 14/04/2022 23:42

I think the difference is, as an "ad hoc" supply teacher in a familiar school (not meant in a nasty way, but just to differentiate between someone who goes somewhere full time for a term, or to cover maternity leave etc), you get to do the bit we all love, and you don't get all the other rubbish that drives people out of the job.

"Just teaching" would mean lots more people stay until retirement age, it is when the teaching is less than half your working week that people become demoralised and exhausted.

It's great when your school has a reliable supply teacher that can just turn up and walk into a class and you know they will all be fine all day. I bet they are so glad they have you.

TracyMosby · 14/04/2022 23:48

My MIL taught French at primary, so a handful if hours a week, into her 70’s.
Im 42, secondary and have a 5 year plan to get the hell out.

Original poster

Tolkienista · 15/04/2022 19:09

@Kite22

"Just teaching" would mean lots more people stay until retirement age, it is when the teaching is less than half your working week that people become demoralised and exhausted.

It's great when your school has a reliable supply teacher that can just turn up and walk into a class and you know they will all be fine all day. I bet they are so glad they have you.

Kite 22........your message is spot on and you are so right. I get to do the part people love....... turning up and interacting with the pupils and all the other stuff including book trawls, lesson observations, staff meetings, analysis of data, setting homework etc which is dragging the profession down are not in my remit.

I've done long term placements including maternity cover and it's basically like being a full time teacher.

Anyway I've really enjoyed reading through everyone's comments, so positive. Many thanks.

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