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Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Original poster

People who have left teaching - what job did you go on to do?

81 replies

SleepSleepSleepSleep · 28/02/2014 00:04

My DH wants to leave teaching after 15 years teaching English at Secondary Schools. I am currently a SAHM but also qualified as a teacher but not sure I want to go back to it either.

The job is now more about inspections, targets, paperwork and not so much about the children. Discipline in many schools is sadly lacking and the so called 'good' schools have turned into sausage factories for exam success.

My question is - if you have left, what job did you go on to do and are you happier in your work now?

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Original poster
SleepSleepSleepSleep · 28/02/2014 07:15

BUMP!!

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Theas18 · 28/02/2014 07:22

Sorry not a teacher but depending on where you live I know several ex teachers who are making a living as personal tutors. So much demand for 11+ tuition and maths support at primary level particularly, and GCSE /A level subject specific support.

A friend doing a PhD in ancient history (no teaching qualification) isd also very happy teaching A level classics/history in a tuition college (to overseas students of those re sitting A levels , it's a "crammer" even though she wont say that!).

So without a complete career change there are ways and means of getting out of the paperwork/targets/admin rat race and actually teaching one to one where discipline isn't and issue etc

Theas18 · 28/02/2014 07:23

Also you'd be ideal to fill the occasional post on here of " CM wanted for home educated children"!

JohnGilpinsWife · 28/02/2014 07:24

HE admin. Love it. It's busy and pressured, but it's nothing on teaching!

GoodnessIsThatTheTime · 28/02/2014 07:28

I'm another one looking. I think cm to he child sounds great in principle.... But I'm not sure I'd want to cm the ones I know!

Id like something that pays similar or more. Happy to retain. I'm good at exams/learning quickly. Not sure though.

Weegiemum · 28/02/2014 07:31

I was a promoted secondary teacher.

I now work for a small charity, teaching adult literacy and family reading. I also administer and fundraiser one day a week for my church's anti-poverty project.

I'm never going back into a school classroom!!

Original poster
SleepSleepSleepSleep · 28/02/2014 08:19

Thanks everyone.

Theas I actually work a few hours a week as a private tutor (my Mum looks after the children) and I stay at home with them the rest of the time. Cm to a he child would be good for me - maybe when my own little ones are at school (they are 13 months and nearly three). Don't think DH would fancy being a cm!!

JohnG Good idea. I actually know an ex teacher who has gone into University admin and much prefers it.

Goodness It is nice to know there are others out there wanting escape.

Weegie where did you find your new job - an advert? Agency? Word of mouth?

DH is thinking maybe 1 to 1 teaching in schools, a role where he will not have to teach a whole class day in day out. He has done a bit of tutoring but it is not structured enough for him though I love it. I think he needs the structure of going in to a workplace rather than seeing pupils at home.

Please keep the ideas coming we are still considering all options either in teaching (non class facing) or jobs outside education.

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Original poster
SleepSleepSleepSleep · 28/02/2014 19:37

Am also wondering about other jobs in schools - non whole class facing eg SEN, support teacher, intervention etc.

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blackandwhiteandredallover · 28/02/2014 20:32

I used to work at an exam board, lots of ex teachers there. Also lots of teachers and ex teachers marked papers from home for an extra income.

Also, in a similar vein, how about educational publishing?

Original poster
SleepSleepSleepSleep · 01/03/2014 09:19

Thanks blackandwhite. I may look in to doing exam marking.

Has anyone changed from being a class teacher to doing intervention work in schools/1 to 1 teaching in schools, SEN or TA work? DH is seriously considering this in spite of salary drop.

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tethersend · 01/03/2014 11:12

I'm an advisory teacher for Looked After Children. I work for the LEA. Very happy.

Whereabouts in the country are you? PM me if you don't want to say here.

LostInMusic · 01/03/2014 11:17

I'm a secondary English teacher (although not for much longer - am leaving at Easter) and several of my TAs are ex-teachers. They all say the same thing - they loved being around the kids, but hated the overwhelming workload and ridiculous pressure to achieve the impossible. All say that they are much happier.

Original poster
SleepSleepSleepSleep · 01/03/2014 11:26

tethersend We live in London - I have PMd you exactly where! Thank you.

LostinMusic Congrats on leaving - what are you going to do now? I would definitely work as a TA as you would have the good part (helping the kids) without the rubbish (everything else about modern teaching!).

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ilovesooty · 03/03/2014 02:20

I'm a former secondary English teacher. I work for a charity with prolific offenders and Class A drug users. At the moment I'm involved in careers advice there. I'm also about to begin a job as a counsellor for one of our partner agencies and I'm in counselling private practice as well.

summerlovingliz · 04/03/2014 18:51

Very interested in this thread as I too would love to find something else. Ilovesooty that sounds like just the sort of job I would love, how did you get into it?

Hulababy · 04/03/2014 18:56

I am a qualified secondary school teacher. I left teaching a few years ago now.

I worked initially in a male prison as an information, advice and guidance worker. I needed my teaching qualification to do so, but also needed to do and IAG qualification whilst working. Did that for abour 3 years or so.

For past few years I have worked as a HLTA in an infant school, mainly doing PPA cover teaching computing.

alwaysonmymind · 04/03/2014 19:00

I've also been reading this thread with interest.

I left a permanent job to do supply as I couldn't stand all that stuff - well you know.
I am currently a TA and love walking out the door at 3.45. I know the pay is less but I have energy to do things with my DC when I get home. I have been asked to fill in for a teacher who is leaving at Easter, just until the summer. Otherwise I could stay in the TA role. I am torn but the TA is pulling me a bit more at the minute.

TBH the holidays suit me with the kids at the minute

pearlgirl · 04/03/2014 19:07

I went from main stream to working one to one with secondary pupils who have been excluded or have attendance issues in mainstream. I love it and wouldn't go back to mainstream teaching.

TheReluctantCountess · 04/03/2014 20:03

I'm desperate to leave teaching but cannot find an alternative. Is it a coincidence that so many of us are secondary English teachers?

Original poster
SleepSleepSleepSleep · 04/03/2014 23:05

ilovesooty how did you get into that work? Sounds interesting.

pearlgirl this is the type of role DH is looking at now - any tips? Did you find your job through an agency?

Countess Yes, both DH and I are secondary English Teachers!!

Hulababy DH is also looking at working as a HLTA in a primary - especially as more men are needed in primary.

I visited the local primary today as applying there for nursery and reception for DD1. The lovely lady who showed me round is a HLTA and used to be a primary teacher but she said she was so stressed she made herself ill and had to leave. She loves her job now.

Thank you for replies everyone!

Did most of you get your new jobs through agencies, adverts or word of mouth? DH finds some teaching agencies just want to force him back into whole class teaching as it is easier and they just want to make their money. Other agencies have been a bit more open mjnded.

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freakypenguin · 04/03/2014 23:47

In the process of reinventing myself from secondary drama to freelance drama practitioner...still mostly working in schools but more primary than secondary.

due to fully emerge from cocoon of Teacher to (hopefully!) beautiful butterfly of Freelancer after Easter.

I'm bound to be happier once I've left because I couldn't be more miserable now!

Original poster
SleepSleepSleepSleep · 04/03/2014 23:59

congratulations freaky

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LostInMusic · 05/03/2014 05:50

In the short term, I'm going to try to get some supply. Long term, I'm still unsure. However, I feel like freaky - I couldn't possibly be more miserable at work than I am now, so anything would be an improvement!

HeyMicky · 05/03/2014 06:08

I used my English degree to get a job copywriting. From there I moved to marketing. Was mid-20s, though, so it was easier to start from the bottom again

summerlovingliz · 05/03/2014 06:41

Which recruitment websites are good for teachers looking for non teaching jobs?