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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

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