Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The staffroom

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

how many hours do you actually work?

35 replies

deriT · 12/09/2015 19:55

I am exhausted, after only a week and a bit back. I think I must do 70-80 hours a week in term time, and probably about 20-30 in the holidays. Is this normal? I'm so tired but not sure if a change of school or career would solve things?

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 12/09/2015 19:57

I don't work in the holidays. No more than 2 or 3 hours. I'm prepared for the next term before the holidays. In term time, probably about 40 hours a week with a 0.6 contract.

PotteringAlong · 12/09/2015 19:58

But yes, it was about 70 hours a week when I was full time (last academic year!). I still didn't work in the holidays though.

PenelopePitstops · 12/09/2015 19:58

55hrs on full time contract in term time, occasionally over.

Holidays I cram and do about 10 hours per week.

You sound frazzled and ready to burn.

DansonslaCapucine · 12/09/2015 20:00

Not normal.

I would say I work 40-45 hours per week term time and 0 hours in the holidays.

Original poster
deriT · 12/09/2015 20:00

The thing is, I'm still only just keeping my head above water. To do it properly I'd need to never sleep. I can't see a way out other than resignation.

OP posts:
IguanaTail · 12/09/2015 20:02

12 hour days and about 6 hours at the weekend. This week has been a lot more though.

Blexie · 12/09/2015 20:04

I'm full-time, salaried. On paper that's 35.7 hrs per week. In practice I rarely take my 30min lunch break am usually working 30-45 mins before my start time and am often still working 15-30mins after my finish time. And more in the run up to Xmas (2-3 months in our industry)

Original poster
deriT · 12/09/2015 20:12

It's funny how much it differs. I think I'm pretty efficient, and certainly in other jobs it's not been like this. 70 hour people, what sort of school are you in?

OP posts:
Original poster
deriT · 12/09/2015 20:14

Blexie is that retail?

OP posts:
Millie3030 · 12/09/2015 20:21

Start at 8am
Finish at 5pm on a 'normal' day, but if there are parents evening, open evening, presentation evening, tutor evenings etc we finish at 9/10pm, they are tiring doing 13/14 hr days!!
I don't usually have lunch, if if did I wouldn't finish until 6pm on a normal teaching day.
I have been teaching for 10 years, love it though. You don't go into teaching for the money or the hours - despite what some people believe, they just get an eye roll from me when they bleat on about the 9-3 rubbish!

Millie3030 · 12/09/2015 20:23

How long have you been teaching? Are you an NQT? Because those hours are probably normal at the start but it does get easier, I promise!

EvilTwins · 12/09/2015 20:26

I probably do about 55 a week in term time and vastly less than that in the holidays. It sounds like you're doing too much - are you working efficiently? I know that I get carried away with planning sometimes - particularly for KS5 because I enjoy it (!) but could probably get away with less than I do if I wasn't so bothered.

Original poster
deriT · 12/09/2015 20:37

ah no, I've been teaching for 10 years

OP posts:
Original poster
deriT · 12/09/2015 20:38

And it's mostly not planning. I'm in a private school so 50+ hours are just in directed time. I scrimp on the planning and marking!

OP posts:
EvilTwins · 12/09/2015 20:44

50+ directed time? Doing what exactly? I teach 5 hours per day plus tutor time and break counts as directed time plus one meeting per week so normal week directed time (state comp) is 28 1/2 hours. I choose to do another 3 hours of extra-curricular drama and obviously some weeks there are parents evenings or whatever, but what on earth are you being directed to do for another 20 hours a week?

MissMillament · 12/09/2015 20:47

Most days, I am in school at 7.30am and leave at 6pm. No break, 15 mins for lunch. Four nights a week I work a couple of hours after the kids are in bed and usually 6-8 hours at the week end. So that adds up to 65-70 hours a week in term time. Half-term and holidays I work about half of the time - so probs 30 hours a week, with three weeks off in the summer where I really don't do anything.

letsghostdance · 12/09/2015 20:55

Oh my goodness, I'm so glad I work where I do. I arrive at 8:15 and start teaching at 9. Take my full break and lunch. Leave school at 4:30 every day and always do another 30 - 45 mins in the evening. About 3hrs on average on a Sunday. I love my job very dearly and do it well, but I refuse to let it take over my life.

Original poster
deriT · 12/09/2015 20:58

lessons are 8-5, 8.30 - 12.30 on Saturdays, plus one meeting.

OP posts:
Philoslothy · 12/09/2015 20:58

I used to do about 70 hours in an SLT position but never worked in the holidays - there was an element of choice.

Now I am a complete lady of leisure and although I miss my job I don't think I would go back

PenelopePitstops · 12/09/2015 21:03

Deri your job isn't normal! What kind of school is this?!

Is the money worth it seeing as you're in private?

Original poster
deriT · 12/09/2015 21:04

money is roughly equivalent, slightly less than state

OP posts:
Philoslothy · 12/09/2015 21:07

Doing those hours in term time and then working in the holidays is madness. No job is worth that.

avocadosarentmiddleclassed · 12/09/2015 21:18

Im doing similar hours full time in a state primary- I am an NQT though.
Finding it quite inconceivable getting this year done without having some kind of breakdown :(

PenelopePitstops · 12/09/2015 21:27

Less than state! Shock

Run run like the wind.

Haggisfish · 12/09/2015 21:29

I do about 40 but am only .8

Swipe left for the next trending thread