Teaching training in my 40's .... advice please

[maxisinapaddy]

So I'm at a crossroad and could do with some advice.

I have been helping out at a local preschool for four years or so....I started on the committee and ended up chair ... I have decided to study for the nvq 3 in early years to be a 'proper' helpful member of staff. I am enjoying it and have enjoyed using my brain again. I am about half way through and expect to qualify by Easter next year. But as those of you in early years know the pay is terrible.

I used to have a 'proper' corporate job before children and marriage. I really wanted a family and left that job with the full support of husband to get pregnant and have a family.

Nine years later I'm a stay at home mum who works two days a week at pre school sometimes more and is studying for the Nvq and running the home etc.

The children are growing up and I would like to have a more challenging job.... I am considering the SCITT scheme for primary teaching. (I have a degree) I am concerned about the work load and keeping the family going. Husband has his owns business and works a lot. I am also concerned about the negative comments on here about the state of teaching at the moment and how stressful it is.

Am I mad...I want to set a good example to my children, we have a very traditional set up at home and that bothers me. When I first left university I did do some teaching in adult education 16+ but struggled with it and ended up not coping. In hind site I was too young and didn't have the experience or support.

I am going to an open day soon to explore options and after I have finished my current course I am hoping to get some work experience at a local primary school...if that works out I would apply to start in 2018. Applying for 2017 seems to soon ?! The children will be in year 6 and 4 at primary by 2018.

What are your thoughts mums net?

PT teaching is a myth. I was at work nearly as much as my FT colleagues, just on half the pay. I had fixed days (negotiated at interview) but compulsary meetings etc on my days off. Any supervision or observations I HAD to do had to happen on my days off, you're better off doing full time, everyone is working all the hours, at least the FTers get paid for 1/2 their work instead of 1/3 or 1/4

Over half of the classes in my current school are taught by part timers
Doing full time jobs.
Show me a PT contract teacher who is working less than 40hrs a week all in!

(FWIW my last job was advertised as 2 FT posts, they only hired me (PT) and didn't re-advertise for the other 1.5, we as a team had to make up the slack for the other 1.5 posts that were originally deemed necessary… so, so much for PTing!!!)

Oh it doesn't sound any better than nursing Nurse's days off are generally their own until band 7

One thing to consider is that in your 40s with a previous professional career, the appalling amateurism of school management will depress you and you are less likely to tolerate it than the newbie 20-somehting who has nothing to compare it with.
Here is ione example of clueless management - read through the thread and you will see this by no means the most egregious.

I left teaching because it is not compatible with family life. Needing to be at school by 7.30 am in the morning (8am at a push for meetings) - what childcare opens at 7am or earlier? Arriving home with mountains of paperwork - when did my child see me? I was either at work physically or working at home. My own child never got any of my time. Now I have two children and tutor. I have time for work and for my own children. Much better! Sadly, I see the worst side of the current education system - the children it has failed, who have lost self-esteem, who have achieved much less than they could have done and who have given up on school completely.

"the appalling amateurism of school management will depress you"

I work in FE and can vouch for this fact.

Don't do it if you want to see your family. I'm in my 11th year and I am actually horrified by how many hours I am working. I am at school by 6.30 and leave at five, then work from home when the children are asleep. Weekends are broken up with replying to emails/preparing lessons.

I am working from the moment I arrive at school until the moment I leave (no chat with colleagues, no lunch breaks) and I am still drowning in paperwork. I am 'outstanding', but I want to leave. I have 3 DC under the age of six (including a six-month old) and I never see them. There must be more to life than this.

I'm going to offer a very different view point from most of the others. I re-trained in my 30s after my children had all started school. The PGCE year was extremely difficult but it is one year and it goes very quickly. I am now in my third year of teaching (secondary) and I love it! I am able to drop my own kids to school and although they make their own way home I am more often than not home on time to make dinner, supervise home works, chat about their day etc. I do mark in front of the tv (or in the car waiting to do club pick ups etc) most evenings but I have not found it unmanageable. The school day is very busy and lunch time really doesn't happen but my school is supportive and I do find that being part of a good department / school does really help! My experience has been very positive. I would go so far as to say I love my job. I love working with the pupils, every day is different and although it can be very stressful I don't think I can remember a single day that was all bad! By the weekend I am exhausted but fulfilled and very happy to be doing a job that I love.