Teaching at the school in the area where you live

[SaltaKatten]

I've just accepted a job offer and am hugely excited. The school is 5 minutes away from where I live and for the last 8 years I've been commuting to and from work by bus. Does anyone else have any experience of what it's like living in the community you teach? My own children go to a different school but my eldest went to the school where I will teach for 3 years. We moved schools because my youngest has SEN and her needs were best meet at a school across town. I'm a very boring person so won't be seen out partying or anything like that but will no doubt meet parents and pupils at the local shop and such. Any advice on keeping things professional and friendly?

I do - it's a Catholic school so lots of us know each other anyway.I think it depends on the school, to be honest. I worked in a small school in a small town and when I went out in town (which wasn't often as I didn't live there) it was hideous.
Now though, I'm older, my kids go to the school where I work as well and I've know lots of their friends since primary school anyway and it doesn't bother me at all.
I have a colleague who hates it though! horses for course I guess

I'm an identical twin - confuses the pupils something terrible. She may have strode smiling past a group of kids wearing the uniform of the school I taught in in to Anne Summers and held up various skimpy frillies in sisterly vengeance!
Mostly lovely, my own DDs find it amusing but complain that it takes us too long to get round the shops as I "know" everyone.

I prefer a bit of distance, but there's no doubt it's convenient

Not know but many years ago as an NQT I lived very close to where I worked and I have to say it didn't bother me really. I was primary and found it quite amusing when the year I got engaged shortly before a parents evening the gossip in the playground was that I was seen in the area with my future husband and he was considerably older than me. Couldn't work it out as my future husband to be was in the Falklands as he deployed there the weekend after we got engaged. Then it dawned on me my parents had been up visiting and my dad and I had gone out to pick up a take away!!! Seriously though at times the children and parents get more embarrassed if they see you out. My reception class were quite shocked that I didn't sleep in my home corner!

Mumsneedwine... I don't live in 'middle class land', I work in a challenging school in a dodgy area, and I agree that allowing under age students to buy you drinks is utterly unprofessional. You'll be in a heap of trouble (quite rightly) if someone more responsible finds out.

I work a 2 minute walk from my house! It's been good actually.

I live in the same town that I teach (FE though, so you hope you don't mind me jumping in, I've just found this area on here and was rather excited) I love it. I don't talk about work outside of work, especially when I bump into Learners or their parents but I will most definitely stop for a chat if they want too. It's great because I get to know what they're doing after they finish college. Many join the armed forces (what I teach) so when they are in town, it's great to see that they are safe and well and loving what they are doing