I don't know what to do.

[Oakmaiden]

It was always my dream to be a teacher. I came to teaching as a mature student, worked bloody hard with 3 small children to get a first class degree and PGCE. And I just can't get a job.

Other than a short period at an independent school, I have been supply teaching for 3 years now. This academic year I have been able to earn about £5,500 so far. That is with working full time in the same school for one term, and doing all the normal teacher stuff like after school clubs, parents evening etc. The pay around here is shit. I am lucky to take home £60 a day.

There are no "proper" teaching jobs - or rather, very few. Most schools laid off staff last summer, rather than taking on, and many are doing the same this year. Even without this situation the city I am in is notoriously difficult to find teaching work in - people just don't move around, and when they do Headteachers inevitably bring in "known" teachers, rather than random applicants. Often they don't even advertise. I have never even been offered an interview in the city I live in, despite applying for pretty much every job that is advertised. My only hope, I think, is that one of the schools I supply for and who know me well decide they need someone. But I do always seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I can't afford this any more. I can't afford the long holidays with no money coming in, and frankly I hate waking up in the morning and not knowing if I am going to be working, let alone where...

But I'm not sure what else to do. I am playing with the idea of keeping on at supply for a while, and trying to build a base of private tutoring students (I do have 2 GCSE maths students I tutor). But again, holidays are likely to be quiet with very little money coming in. Finding a "holiday job" seems a bit fruitless at the moment as I would be uncomfortable leaving my youngest two unsupervised for day after day at the moment - in a couple of years it might be OK, but at 11 and 12 I just feel they are still quite young for it to be a regular thing. So I would need to find some sort of childcare for them - which would almost certainly devour any wages I might be earning...

My other idea is to set up a sewing business, mostly making dance costumes, but also possibly fancy dress/LRP costumes and similar. I could fit this around the days I am working supply, and if I end up being particularly busy with sewing at any stage I can just take a week off supply... But I am anxious about the whole idea - it will take some finance to set up (not an enormous problem really, but an issue if I end up either not selling anything or not earning any money from it).

I just don't know what to do. I am just fed up of constantly bumping along the bottom of our bank balance...

[weirdsister]

I'm amazed that you can't find work. I wonder where you are?
Have you looked at any sen schools?

[Oakmaiden]

I was being cagey about where I live, but then I posted a newspaper article which gives it away rather.

I live in Swansea. I apply for jobs mostly in Swansea, but also in Neath, Cardiff, Bridgend, Rhondda. I can't apply in Carmarthenshire as I don't speak good enough Welsh. Pembrokeshire is too far away.

I have had interviews in Cardiff, but no job. And now my husband has to travel to work (leaves the house at 6am and back at about 6:30pm) it isn't really realistic for me to travel as far as Cardiff any more. It would impact the children too much, because to avoid the traffic I would have to be out similar ours to the ones he is.

[GinandJag]

I've done my fair share of supply and found it to be very useful in building up experience.

The main thing is to not get trapped into daily minimum wage rates.

I found the best supply jobs were to be attached to specific schools, so you were first call. With no agency fees, the rates were in line with 3/4 years experience.

Block supply (4 weeks +) where you do the full job should pay a proper rate and give you a reference at the end.

Primary supply is not good as you have to do all the marking.

You should not have to do clubs, reports and parents' evenings unless you are earning equivalent to a full time teacher's salary. If you are willing to do this for less, they will take advantage. Ask what is in it for you.

I am absolutely not a jobsworth and no nothing about the burgundy book, but I know it is wrong to sell yourself short and be exploited.

[SusanAndBinkyRideForth]

Where I am the primary teacher market is saturated as well. Also secondary drama, music, MFL and humanities. Science (esp phys or chem luckily for me), maths and SEN are gold dust. I suppose it varies around the country

[CremeEggThief]

Your experience sounds very similar to mine, OP. I qualified in 2008, it took me 2 years and a move across the country to find a full-time job to do my NQT year, and that was a maternity cover, and for the last 5 years, I've mainly been on supply, with a few temporary Nursery Nurse jobs. I had 10 days supply teaching work between April and December last year. I have health issues, so I only want part-time work, and only in Early Years or Year 1, but although I get quite a few interviews, I'm always pipped to the post. So no advice from me, but I know exactly how you feel.

[Oakmaiden]

Unfortunately the council have this year sent out a dictat to all schools saying they are no longer to employ supply directly/through the council, but to go instead through agencies.

There are several schools who ask for me "first".

They do take advantage. I know they do. Because I am so f*ing desperate for the work that I will do it. And I am fed up of working my guts out and not being paid for it.

But what can I do? This was my dream, and it is very bitter at the moment. And I am utterly fed up.

[Vaara]

What about looking at education in hospitals or care homes? Prisons?

[Oakmaiden]

I can;t move across the country. If I could, then there would be no problem. But my husband would then have no work, so we wouldn't be in a better position.

[Oakmaiden]

Hm. OK. That is a thought I hadn't had, Vaara.

I wonder where I might find out about that?

[SusanAndBinkyRideForth]

They are normally advertised directly on the council opportunities web page

[Vaara]

Not sure to be honest, local authority? Teachers go into hospitals to assist the long term sick kids, making sure their education doesn't suffer. I imagine prisons etc are also somewhere that most teachers wouldn't consider, but which have to provide educational opportunities. Are there any young offenders places near you?

[Oakmaiden]

We've got a prison prison, don't know about young offenders.

Will have to look around.

[PreAdvent13610]

FE colleges have large SEN departments. Have you looked at your local ones?
Here is Manchester

[Mishaps]

Learn the piano!?

Seriously - have you thought of adult ed - or perhaps TEFL? You have clearly worked your way up and put a lot into it. It must be very frustrating for you. After all that effort you must be heartily pissed off.

[Oakmaiden]

I'd love to go back to uni and do education research, but I don't have the experience for that either.

Plus the local uni has moved west and is getting very "Welsh language".

[jellyfrizz]

You mentioned that you sew and make costumes. Could you set up an after school/ holiday club workshops making soft toys/puppets? You could also do 'make a soft toy' parties.

[Oakmaiden]

Hmmm. that is an interesting idea too.

And also reminds me - I have been asked by a couple of schools I have worked for if I would set up (paid) afterschool maths clubs to offer extra support to their children... I haven't done it because obviously it would impact the amount of time I am available to work in school as a teacher if I have to get back to another school to run a club at 3:30. But if I make a decision that I am only going to supply for 3 days a week (or whatever), and then run clubs on the other days... it would probably help build up my tutoring too...

[tethersend]

A couple which may or may not be suitable:

definitely no secondary?

Tutor posts

part time?

would you work in a PRU?

[Scarydinosaurs]

Would you consider something big like a move abroad? TES is full of international jobs- and in my experience you could find a better work/life balance.

It's a huge move, but the bravery could pay off?

[IHeartKingThistle]

I teach adults now. I love it but where I am the hours can be ad hoc and the pay is nowhere near as good as school teachers' pay. But worth finding out about it in your area.

[HRHinthroughtheoutdoor]

South Wales is rubbish for primary. Nobody moves on. It's a job for life, although those mainly women are coming up to retirement.

The problem was/is that Swansea, Newport and Cardiff were doing teaching and PGsE courses without the jobs to fill.

I knew lots of friends that ended up teaching Herefordshire, gloustershire because they couldn't get jobs.

Two teaching agencies have been onto me about roles they have and I'm not looking!
Have you tried a different agency?

You have my sympathy with supply though. It's awful and the money you could never make a living from, having done it.

[Tidypidy]

I trained in Swansea and applied for literally hundreds of jobs across South Wales after I qualified. Had one interview in 12 months. Eventually decided to look further afield, applied and got job in Somerset. I was told primary teaching jobs in Wales are like hens teeth. Was certainly my experience. Could you move nearer to your husbands job and apply around that area?

[Rezolution123]

You could tutor Primary Maths and have enough work to keep you ticking over until you get a permanent job. Try the internet : First Tutors is a good place to begin.
Free for tutors to register.

[RTKangaMummy]

What about exam marking?

Some of my friends used to do it, it is hard work but it does get some money coming in

IIRC there was an advert on MN Jobs for examiners for schools overseas and you only needed O level or GCSE in that subject to be allowed to mark the exams

In the old days the exams came to the house as paper copies but now it is done online so you can do them from home while your children are at school

The other options are as an invigilator for exams in Uni or senior schools

I realise none of these are what you actually want to do but it might earn you some money while you wait for your dream job