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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

I'm leaving....anyone else?

62 replies

didiimaginethis · 14/04/2018 09:01

Finally I've made the decision to leave, I've been a teacher for over 10 years. I feel very good about my decision and I know I've made the right choice because when I handed my notice in I felt so happy!
Anyone else decided to leave? What did you go on to do? Luckily I've got a couple of months grace period in terms of money so that I don't have to get something straight away after August. My dream job looks something like this:
Turn up to work, quick cup of tea
Work
Go home
Grin

OP posts:
Loandbeholdagain · 17/04/2018 11:08

I was lucky to get a job with 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays. As I could take them whenever I wanted (more or less!) and wasn’t stressing about work while I was away I actually felt like I had more holidays than my theoretical teacher holidays.

BumblebeeBum · 19/04/2018 19:10

Meeeeeee! Just on the end of my PGCE and teaching is not for me. Will stick it out 8 more weeks and then I’m off. Not telling my mentors or colleagues that I won’t be working in education come September so feels nice to say it here.

bastardkitty · 19/04/2018 19:13

So sad but not surprised to read all these posts. But life is short and too precious to be spent doing a job that makes you unhappy or ill.

BossWitch · 19/04/2018 19:17

Going at the end of the summer term, onto maternity leave but with no plans to return. Ever. No idea what next but probably at least three years of stay at home mum.

Piggywaspushed · 19/04/2018 19:26

Interview next week! Non teaching role. Crap hols and slight pay cut and big commute but opportunities to lead a team again, and to work from home. If educational establishments would see fit promote me to SLT, teaching wouldn't lose me.

Magpie1976 · 19/04/2018 19:50

I would love to leave after 15 years but every time I apply for jobs e.g. admin I never get interviews. And I really really don't know what else I could do. Hence still saying this 15 years on 😣😣

Piggywaspushed · 19/04/2018 20:34

Funnily enough magpie the only interviews I get are non teaching ones!

thefishwhocouldwish · 19/04/2018 23:25

Me, sort of...but taking up a Head of Inclusion role in an international school instead after 17 years in state-funded education in the UK. I've no idea what it will be like really, but then every job change is a leap of faith. I did 13 years in assorted roles before I became a teacher so I have seen both sides.

MidniteScribbler · 22/04/2018 01:19

I still love teaching, but I'm quitting my current job and have an open offer for a job in an amazing private school. I'm fed up of being a crowd controller rather than a teacher.

I was attacked this week with a student wielding a pair of scissors that has torn up my arm really badly and will permanently scar. I get no aide time in my classroom to support him, and the school will not expel him or remove him from my room.

BossWitch · 22/04/2018 07:10

What the fuck, midnite? Are your union involved? That is so far past wrong I can't believe it! (Not saying it's not true, it's just... unfuckingbelievable!)

DarkPeakScouter · 22/04/2018 07:24

Holy moly Midnight will it heal ok in terms of function? What a nightmare.

hollytom · 22/04/2018 14:16

That sounds awful midnite. Your school has a duty of care to you, I would recommend contacting your union. You have a right to a safe working environment

ShepMummy · 22/04/2018 18:24

Really interesting to read this thread as I'm doing some research into why female teachers aged 30-39 leave the classroom and what their destinations are. I'd love it if you could complete and share my survey if you fit into this category: docs.google.com/forms/d/1MzfTBUMmFf-PrOgnBO33kLwuUKLuc-0rmqhhcHcCkRQ/edit

Sounds like you are all doing lots of exciting and rewarding things. The education system's loss!

MidniteScribbler · 23/04/2018 10:53

My arm will heal, but will be scarred. I feel sorry for the other children in my class who had to witness it. Student has been 'temporarily' removed from my classroom whilst it is being investigated. I have said that I will not have him back in my room.

BossWitch · 23/04/2018 19:10

Christ midnite. That's still awful. Hope it resolves in a way you can live with.

If they stick the fucker back in your room get your gp to sign you off with stress/anxiety as a result of a violent incident at work.

ElizabethBennetismybestfriend · 27/04/2018 07:49

I was bullied out of my job when I returned from absence caused by my suffering from sepsis and almost dying. The head was disappointed that I made it back and did everything he could to get rid of me.( Experienced teacher, SLT expensive etc) I now have a life, I work for the exam board and my family know who I am. I miss my colleagues and my pupils, and I miss doing the job I loved but I am so glad to be out of the school

LyannaStarktheWolfMaid · 27/04/2018 07:51

Best thing I ever did!

onanotherday · 27/04/2018 14:17

About to have a meeting to discuss extending probation period or dismissal😟 Started a school l had previously worked in and who knew me well but because of Academy status put on 'probationary 6 months '. Took no notice but unfortunately I've been off and now facing dismissal. 24 years in teaching.. what a way to go .,,

Piggywaspushed · 27/04/2018 16:04

Just got informed I wasn't successful in my interview for no teaching job :(

I live to fight another day.

Prembabymum · 30/04/2018 20:03

I have 2 jobs; teaching 2 days a week and education consultant on 3 days. Ive done this for 2 years now (although 1 was on mat leave) and have just started back at teaching after mat leave (started back at my other job in jan) and its made me realise I NEED to leave teaching! To be honest I've never really enjoyed it and somehow still stayed in it for 8 years! I think youre made to believe that teaching is the only good job out there but it's not. My other work is paid the same, its relaxed, its challenging but managable, it involves occasional fun travel and I love it! I've finally realised that my mental health is more important than money and can't wait to get some balance back in my life.
So glad I found this thread as its good to hear that I'm not the only teacher feeling this way!

Piggywaspushed · 30/04/2018 20:29

How did you get the consultant job prem ??

Prembabymum · 30/04/2018 20:57

@piggywaspushed I was referred by a friend who worked for the company. I'd been looking for a nimber of years though and had applued for a few posts. Look for things like "education officer"

Piggywaspushed · 30/04/2018 21:03

I just don't think there is much of that kind of thing in my area but I am forever looking! It cheers me that the roles do exist though.

leccybill · 30/04/2018 21:16

I quit after 11 years in a very tough school (mid Special Measures) in a very deprived area. Took VR so had breathing space - took 3 months off where I learnt to be me again. It was just wonderful. Almost like therapy. I just pottered about, and healed, I needed to. I was at that point of crying silent tears in morning briefings and thinking of ways to crash my car.

Signed up to supply, did a bit of daily and loved it (not everyone does but it's great to just focus on teaching and learning and nothing else) across all key stages.
I now do short and longish term roles. A mat leave here, a term there. I like it. Settled enough to know where you're going each morning, but don't need to get involved in any staff politics. Away from the horrid and frankly ridiculous performance management cycle.
Not sure what my next steps are but at least I feel like I'm in charge.

bangingmyheadoffabrickwall · 30/04/2018 21:30

I know of a HT who died 3 days after retirement.

Another HT became ill with leukaemia and died - leaving behind a wife and 2 young daughters.

Another HT DID manage to have 8 years retirement (she retired early) but still now living with a terminal diagnosis.

A special colleague retired due to ill health (she hung on until she could retire through periods of sickness, phased returns and light workload). She died 6 months later. She was 60.

I work part time and was planning on going back to full time when my youngest started school, which isn't until September 2019. Then I decided to tell my DH that actually I wanted to have another year of working part time when my littlest is in YR. Now I am having second thoughts and realising that maybe part time is best all round; for the foreseeable future, forever (?) who knows! I was always a planner but now I find myself needing to live each day as it is.

Why change what is working for us? Yes we are 'down' on pay because I gave up 2 days but in all honesty I don't care about the luxury holidays at the end of the day. I also realised that nobody would ever pay me on my scale and going full time would mean that I would only be about £350 UP in salary and with extra days comes extra childcare and extra fuel costs so the stress of work and not being at home or having just an hour at bedtime with my kids isn't worth it.

I've not told DH that yet. He doesn't understand. You's think he WOULD given that we have been together for 13 years, married for 8 years, 2 children in and me on long term sick due to stress between children.