Expensive part time teachers and recruitment/pension-anyone else?

[fedup21]

I’ve bitten the bullet and checked my pension and due to having time out with small kids and being part time forever, my pension is pitiful. Now, I’m early 40s, so could go back full time and put 25 years more in, but there are problems with that.

1. I can’t find a full time post on UPS3-any adverts this year locally have been for NQTs! My current work place is lovely but won’t increase me to full time as I’m too expensive.
2. I’m not actually sure my mental health will take full time.

Is anyone else in a similar situation and what do you plan to do?

Ideally, I’d like to do 4 days, but finding someone who’ll pay me UPS when they could get an NQT fill time for the same rate, is proving impossible.

It does seem rather difficult. Are you the main earner or will you have other retirement income to help? There is supposed to be a shortage of teachers, but it does depend upon subject and location. Could you find another local school to work at on the days you have available? That way you can stay in the school you like and not burn any bridges should the other school not work out. With regard to your mental health - you need to look after that and consider if increasing your earnings/pension contributions would be worth the possible stress of moving to a less comfortable position. Having been in a similar situation to you, with time out for children and part-time, I took a chance in my early 40's to get a TLR and salary to give my family the stability we needed. It was tough because all I could find was a job in a 'difficult' school with a lengthy commute. It was all more stressful and demanding than I could have imagined. The financial rewards after 20 years of that: mortgage paid off by the lump sum and a modest pension that just covers my bills until state pension. The job took away my energy and time from my children, generally wore me out and after seeing colleagues wrecked by it, I got out as soon as the pension figures were enough. So you could say it has mostly worked out for me - but maybe not for everyone. Good luck, I hope you find the best way for you.

You’re only half way through your working life (unless you want to retire early). Teacher pension is very good so I’m sure there will be plenty in retirement. You could also pay more into your pension voluntarily. And don’t forget that you’ll get state pension too so that will add up to a lot more altogether.

Could you consider taking on a TLR part time, or drop down to UPS2?

I am part time, only been so for the past 4 years, but not yet gone through UPS2 and debating going through it this year as I may want to increase my hours next year, luckily I am in a shortage subject which might help me.

I would recommend signing up with an employment agency, such as Reed Education.

I did this four years ago and am still inundated.

@CraftyGin have you been offered decent pay? In my experience it's usually a daily rate that usually isn't even equivalent to NQT pay.

I got a mainscale job via Reed for £42k. I was promoted by half term, earning £46k. This was 3 years ago.

I know how you feel. I have decided I'm unemployable! I'm 0.6 and ups3. There are no jobs out there for me on my payscale without going full time or management and I don't want either of them. I feel trapped in my current school

There's hope: I found a lovely school on UPS2, part time.

I'm now upping my hours a day a week and next year will go back to to full time to up my pension fund and "restart" my career, which has been on hold with having smaller children. Eldest starts secondary next year so it's time for me to think about my career again.

I'll be looking for HoD role asap.

I'm considering returning to teaching but I'm confused about the payscales. I went on maternity leave on UPS2 then didn't return. I have just assumed I would go for jobs and they would tell me what payscale is on offer. I expect to be paid whatever the scho decides. I didn't know I could request to be on the scale I previously reached. I thought I would have to start again.

*school

I never stopped teaching: I went down to 0.4 when No2 was tiny, then 0.6 for a couple of year, then 0.7 and now 0.8.

I've not progressed past UPS2 in 8 years though, but I'll be pushing for it soon.

@Aprinceinapaupersgrave you can negotiate what you want/think is fair.
@CraftyGin I’m glad there are some agencies offering proper jobs.

Thanks JoJoSM2

If you go back to FT for 25 years though, you probably will collapse under the strain and not be able to enjoy a long and healthy pension.
Even decades ago, they acknowledged that teachers pensions were so good, because teachers didn't live long after retirement. I reckon things have got worse rather than better over the last couple of decades.

@JoJoSM2 negotiate yes, but when schools simply don't have the budget for upper pay scales then you're fighting a losing battle

@millimat Yes, I do realise that funding is a massive issue at the moment and wouldn’t expect the school to just pay whatever the candidate asks. But equally, leaving to be a SAHM on UPS2, I wouldn’t want to go back on MPS1 and would try to get as close to UPS2 as poss.

I'm UPS3 in my main school where I work 0.5. Part of me would love more hours but I don't know whether my mental health or sanity could take it. Another day would be ideal.

What I have done is add in another school. I work in my local primary school too, but am only paid on M6. I work around 6 hours each week but am paid for 10 as part of my role is strategic and I have to do extra time as and when needed. It's made me re-think some of my strategies as well as slightly boosting my pension. In the end, I'll have to hope I win the lottery or premium bonds because neither DH nor I will have had enough years in any scheme to be able to live well on.

What about the 'faster accrual' option? Or opening a SIPP? I'm under 40 so have also started a LISA. I think there are plenty of options if there's a bit of spare money to save. Having spoken to OAPs, it also seems that a lot less money is required to live comfortably.

Similar issue here.
Every year I declare that I need to buy extra into mine, but I never do.
I really need to, to make up the short fall from part time.

I think there are plenty of options if there's a bit of spare money to save

But less easy if there’s not much spare money as I can’t get more than part time as I’m too expensive .

OP, if you feel that your MH might not take full time anyway, have you thought about tuition to top up your income?

I’m 55 and still teaching, although only 3 days a week.

Those of you who are 40 or so and hoping to return to more hours, be very careful. It’s tough enough teaching at any time, but when you are old/aching/tired/menopausal it’s really tough!

I've had to drop to M6 but figure for the part time hours that suit me in a school close to home that it's worth the financial hit and better than supply (in my area anyway) however I'm not the main earner and we live in a cheapish area of the country so aren't too financially stretched. I'm mid 30s with 2 infant school age kids. Plan to stay part time until the are at secondary school. Have paid additional on to my teachers pension but only sporadically when have been able to afford it!

Im pt at 40 and took time out for sahm and worry avout my pension.

I really think most jobs are mps so youd need to drop down to mps6 to be full time...

Ive wondered about paying additional in but got really confused as to how it works/if its worth it/ how it even affects final pension if only v.pt as its a separate pension not literally buying years isnt it.