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Original poster

Teacher training with young DC - realistic?

119 replies

fatterface · 13/12/2014 14:13

I'm looking at applying for teacher training next year, possibly through a salaried school direct position. My children will be 2.5, 6 and 9 then. Has anyone done similar? Any comments on whether it is realistic?

OP posts:
DustInTheWind · 23/12/2014 09:33

One of the ways to lok at this is do it if you really want to, but be realistic and honest with yourselves. So if you do it and it all works out, wonderful and well done and I'd be very happy for you.
But if you do it and it really doesn't work out and things start falling to pieces, then be honest and do what is best for you and your family without feeling guilty or a failure and before you push yourselves to breaking point.
I know several people who are capable of doing way more than me in their lives and pack so much into every waking moment and love it. Not just teachers, but others with very full-on lives.
Perhaps you may be like that, but whatever the outcome, be truthful to yourselves.

rosabud · 23/12/2014 11:04

I'm sorry my post sounded so depressing, I feel very sad myself that the whole experience wasn't more positive as I was so proud to be on the PGCE in the first place and so looking forward to being a teacher. But, sadly, my post was honest and I could have written more in that vein! Thank you, I am much happier now. The year that I went back to being a TA was magical; proper time with my children, reconnecting with friends and having time to myself to exercise again have been the best things. And sleeping. And being able to walk round the house without crunching through the carpets. I haven't seen much of the fish and chip shop lady either.

The advice above, about being honest and doing what is best for your family without feeling guilty or a failure is excellent. I felt like a terrible failure when I went back to being a TA and that didn't help my self-esteem which had been crushed by the whole experience.

Recently, I have started teaching a bit, alongside my current TA role (to help the school out in a crisis) and, even though it's only a handful of lessons a week, it has already started to eat into my time with my family and is causing low level stress! I hope that I do finish my NQT one day - but I think I need to wait until my children are even older.

Good luck, OP, with whatever you decide.

Theas18 · 23/12/2014 11:08

Dh did gtp not pgce but started when youngest was in reception with voluntary then TA work and went on dd1 yr6 residential too and did his trainibgvwhrn she was year 1.
It was long hours but he moved from doing long hours in industry and at least the commute was easy. So for us little change but I did carry things financially fir a while.

rollonthesummer · 23/12/2014 11:31

Don't apologise for being depressing. Teaching is just like that right now and people should know. The only way I survive I'd by being part time and there's no way I want to be in this job in five years. That's equally depressing :(

sanfairyanne · 23/12/2014 11:45

a huge number of parent teachers now do TA instead, not cos they cant find a teaching job, but because of everything you describe rosabud

MrPickles123 · 23/12/2014 18:39

I've been teaching 4 years. Workload is increasing all the time. Last week, I had to take yr11 mock exam papers down to the hall because the exams officer left, but she's not been replaced.

I now 'have' to chase attendance and phone home if one of my tutor group goes on report, because the admin person left and due to budget cuts, she's not been replaced. I refuse to and send a quick email as unions agreed against this sort of work for teachers.

Money is tight and so the work has to be shared with those left.

Phineyj · 29/12/2014 15:11

My hours of work are like bronya's. I've just finished my NQT year and it's a third career for me so I have other things to compare it with - I have added up and averaged hours over a year and they're about the same as a reasonably full-on full time office job (I previously worked in various types of research and admin in roles that often required evening and weekend working). I also freelanced for a big chunk of my career so appreciate the pension and having a predictable salary. I only have one DC though and a hands-on DH and helpful DPs. DH and I do 4 day weeks (officially - I have to do at least 5.5 days in term time to keep up). We have a cleaner and minimal housekeeping and cooking standards.

I console myself that although DD sees less of me, she gets to spend more time with DH and my DPs. She seems very happy. Both DH and I take her to work when we can (he works in HE) so she can see what we do.

I say go for it OP, if you're planning to train in the school where you are currently. My school has reasonable expectations and a supportive SMT too - and we do use our staffroom! The school is crucial. I didn't like my main placement school much, but I would never have picked it to work in anyway and I did learn from the contrast. My only concern would be that if you find the working hours as a teacher too much, you could end up as an overqualified TA. That's what's happened to my DSis. You would at least command a higher rate for supply though.

I won't pretend the training wasn't very stressful, but at least it had a time limit on it. I quite enjoyed writing the essays.

Iggly · 31/12/2014 18:54

I read this thread and despair at what the hell the government is playing at with our teachers?

Id love to be a teacher but with a 5&3 year old, no way!

rollonthesummer · 01/01/2015 12:29

I only have one DC though and a hands-on DH and helpful DPs. DH and I do 4 day weeks (officially - I have to do at least 5.5 days in term time to keep up). We have a cleaner

I do think these things are hugely significant factors. If you (not you, specifically!) have a hands on partner, fit and helpful parents, one child, are part time and have a cleaner-I think the job may not seem quite so unmanageable.

If you have 3 children, no partner, no parents nearby and can't afford a cleaner or to work part time-it is likely to be a different story.

avocadogreen · 01/01/2015 13:16

Oh god, this thread is depressing me Sad I've recently become a single parent, my DC are 7 and 4. I am a secondary TA and I really enjoy it, I feel like I've fallen on my feet with this job, it's a permanent contract, down the road from DC's school so I can still do school pickup etc. BUT I am very aware that I am on my own now, I need to make more money and provide a secure life for the DC. I'd never get a mortgage on my salary. And I don't know whether I'll be happy being a TA all my life... I have a degree and want to use it again, I want to have a career not a job.

My plan was to do the PGCE in a couple of years, I could get a 20K bursary for my subject. Maybe I need to rethink! Any other careers in education?!

rollonthesummer · 01/01/2015 13:22

I want to have a career not a job.

I want a job, not a breakdown :(

I think over the next few years, there will be thousands of teachers looking for jobs within education but not as a teacher-me for one.

DustInTheWind · 01/01/2015 14:04

I had a career for twenty years or so, but it has turned into a job over the last decade.

SignoraLiviaBurlando · 02/01/2015 16:51

avocado - I got a 20k bursary last year for my (secondary) subject , but had to pay 9k from it in fees for the PGCE...
Did not apply for NQT jobs as my old company have made me a good offer to go back, would love to be a teacher, but the job would not be manageable with the DC now, so will maybe do the NQT in few years ( maybe not... Sad)

Matildahaspowers · 10/01/2015 07:52

I have 2 interviews for a PGCE this month but I am also considering TA. I am a career changer from the NHS (long story). Passed the skills test in literacy the other day (maths 9.3.15).

Mortgage has 2 years to run so I could, in theory, afford a pay cut.

What would I take home as a TA?

This post scares me!

RomanRita · 10/01/2015 13:11

I couldn't in all honesty recommend teaching as a career for anybody! In fact I feel the need to actively discourage even the single and/or childless from making the biggest possible mistake in believing teaching to be a suitable, honourable way to spend a working life.

Go stack shelves and do yourself a favour!

RomanRita · 10/01/2015 13:15

I couldn't in all honesty recommend teaching as a career for anybody! In fact I feel the need to actively discourage even the single and/or childless from making the biggest possible mistake in believing teaching to be a suitable, honourable way to spend a working life.

Go stack shelves and do yourself a favour!

RomanRita · 10/01/2015 13:21

So true I've said it twice!

rollonthesummer · 10/01/2015 13:35

What would I take home as a TA?

I know there are teachers on here who say that their TAs are highly paid but they aren't in any of the schools I've worked in. My old TA- who I was good friends with- took home about £600 a month.

Skatingfastonthinice · 10/01/2015 13:38

Most TAs get paid under £8 an hour unless they are specialists or a higher level. And of course, it depends how many hours work you have in a week.
Many schools only have TAs in the morning.

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