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The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

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Original poster

Anyone else had enough?

153 replies

DaveCoachesgavemetheclap · 08/09/2019 19:26

I'm 52 and have been teaching Primary since 1989. I'm lucky in that the school where I work has good behaviour and paperwork/marking etc isn't as excessive as in some schools although it's pretty bad. All I can think about is getting through the next 3 years to reach 55 so I can retire, although realistically, I couldn't really afford to go until I'm 57. I was just wondering if there's anyone out there who has zero interest and enthusiasm like me.

OP posts:
ThisIsMeOrIsIt · 11/09/2019 12:54

I've been teaching 10 years. I'd had enough about 3 years in but stuck with it and I moved to a fab school which helped. My last school, though, was so toxic and the head really disliked me, constantly telling me off and making me feel undervalued. It got to the point where I absolutely dreaded seeing any member of SLT as I expected to be shouted at.

I let that school and have just started with the council as a teacher in the sensory SEN dept. I am on the same pay but have none of the class teacher stress; I do some small group teaching, 1-to-1 teaching, visit different schools in an advisory role... It's interesting and varied. But I don't have to write lots of plans, worry about classroom organisation or displays, do ridiculous amounts of marking etc.

So if you want to leave class teaching but still want the pay, it's worth looking into SEN teaching, honestly.

astuz · 11/09/2019 17:24

I looked at lecturing (I have a Ph.D.), but for starters it only paid £20 per hour, and there was no pay for planning time. Also, it's very part-time, so they were offering maybe 6 hours spread out over a week, and I live nearly an hour away from the nearest university, so it just wasn't worth it.

Research is the field I moved out of in my early thirties, mainly because I found it utterly dull and tedious (at least teaching isn't boring!) and the chances of me making it and getting a tenured post was negligible anyway.

Nyon · 11/09/2019 19:12

Yep, me. I don’t feel enthused about any aspect of my job. I can’t stand my HoD. And I picked up almost every class no one wanted. I do intend to leave this year and just pray that it will be better.

BG2015 · 11/09/2019 20:05

I'm 50, been teaching 23 years, all of it full time. Had 2 kids, built a house, got divorced and moved house 3 times during those 23 years.

I teach in a good primary school, supportive colleagues and great kids but I'm knackered. We're waiting for Ofsted, and had a new head 2 years ago so although he's ok he's keen to make his mark. The pressure is just silly.

I'm going to sell my house when I'm 60 and downsize, I'm not working in education past 60. I'll work in Tesco if my pension doesn't stretch.

woodlands01 · 11/09/2019 21:26

I have been teaching for 16 years and I am 54. I have just reviewed my pension (I have pensions from other companies) and was surprised how positive it was. My retirement age is 67! I can certainly get to 60. I do work in a good school now with a fab HOD - I am in a shortage subject therefore am unlikely to get the sack! My results are always good - I am NOT the most dynamic teacher but I do enjoy working with children and have good relationships with most.
I am starting tutoring at the moment (I have a daughter just started at Uni!) and have thought that I may move that way - part-time teacher/tutor and then see how it goes. However that doesn't get you full contributions to teachers pension. I reckon I could go til 65 - I am healthy, I do work hard but know when to stop - I do not do 70 hour weeks like some do.
The reality is we need an income in retirement - if I can carry on until 65 that's another 11 years in a teachers pension scheme which is significant.

Lookingsparkly · 12/09/2019 20:49

Primary. Worn down! I want a way out but can figure what to do!

Gigis · 16/09/2019 18:26

I'm only into the 3rd week at my new school and already people have spoken ominously about being "told off" for having the wrong coloured paper feedback sheets in books. We had to do prep for a parents evening last week and some of the activities were ridiculous - teachers cutting and sticking resources that could have been simplified. I quietly asked one teacher why we didnt do it the quicker, easier way and was told that they'd all love to but the head if faculty and slt wouldn't allow it. They would tell them off. Its bizarre to work in a place where adults are afraid of being told off. I definitely won't be staying past July!

lovemenorca · 16/09/2019 18:33

zero interest and enthusiasm.

For the sake of the children - retire early!

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 16/09/2019 18:44

I was feeling alright last week but today was miserable.

Gigis · 16/09/2019 18:51

@beingatwatitsabingthing
I hope tomorrow is better for you. Love your username btw!

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 17/09/2019 06:46

I wrote a long reply but it seems to have disappeared. Hmm

My class are just hard work. They have behavioural issues that have been compounded by two years of inconsistencies. In the two years, they’ve had 4 class teachers and then three weeks of two different teachers per day. They keep asking me if I’m going to be their teacher all year.

I feel like I’m trying to teach the Y5 curriculum to a Y3 class because they’ve seemingly learnt nothing in the last two years.

fedup21 · 17/09/2019 07:35

For the sake of the children-retire early!

I would love to but my pension is going to be seriously pitiful Sad.

velocitygirl7 · 17/09/2019 07:45

Foundation stage nursery nurse here, realistically I won't be able to retire until I'm 67, as I'm so poorly paid.
I honestly think it will kill me off before then, I love my job but it's physically and mentally exhausting. I now have 30 years experience, so am constantly put with inexperienced (but lovely!) younger teachers and my workload is huge.
All for a shocking £14k a year.

ukel · 17/09/2019 21:15

26 and being driven insane. Children are tricky dietary needs, nobody listens to no but rule even though it's brought up not just in class, parent teacher meetings, emails to guardians and explained why! Nobody seems to care that a little girl at the school had a massive allergic reaction a few months back, so ultimately laying down the law. They've been warned enough, nuts = punishment. Principles been over it too, exhausted 😅

lovemenorca · 17/09/2019 21:22

You’re a teacher ukel? Confused

Lind57 · 17/09/2019 21:45

I've just retired in my late 50s and it's wonderful. I couldn't have done another year. Honestly if you'd told me I had to go back in September, I'd have cracked. I'll need to downsize and I'll need to do supply teaching but for the sake of my mental health it was so worth it.

Farrowandbrawl · 17/09/2019 22:26

Why don’t you lot get an equally well paid / remunerated job elsewhere....
Oh yeah 1 hr lunch break, 20 min tea break Monday to Friday 0800-1600
Those that can’t ....

BelindasGleeTeam · 17/09/2019 22:28

What's your point?

Farrowandbrawl · 17/09/2019 22:32

@Belinda whatever
That if it was that bad you lot would just leave... not moan on here.

Honestly teachers are the most pampered and indulged profession

Anyone know of a teacher getting sacked for under performing.......
Nah thought not

DrMadelineMaxwell · 17/09/2019 22:35

I'm not done... yet. But I'm furiously overpaying into my pension to make up for all the years I was pt after having my dc as i can't see me teaching past 60. I'm mid 40s and have been teaching at the same school since 97.
Im SMT and pretty good at working very efficiently as well as working in a school with relatively reasonable expectations for paperwork etc. But the curriculum is about to be all change here in Wales and we still have no idea what it will actually mean at the chalk face

BelindasGleeTeam · 17/09/2019 22:52

Farrowandbrawl, do bugger off out the staffroom. It's not for goady kids.

PS, I worked in big City corporate firms before teaching. You know f*CK all.

AllTheUserNamesAreTaken · 17/09/2019 22:52

Don’t be a dick Farrowandbrawl. And I said that as a non teacher who doesn’t think teachers are perfect and never wrong.

But pampered and indulged, Teachers?! How?

My son is in year 2 and so far his teachers have all been great - they seem enthusiastic, engaging and supportive. I hope this is because they have supportive SLT

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 18/09/2019 05:28

Farrowandbrawl

Don’t forget all the holidays we get that we aren’t paid for!

Why don’t you join us in our pampered profession?! We’d love to show you how right you are!

Farrowandbrawl · 18/09/2019 06:32

@BeingATwatItsABingThing

You prove my point really. Why on earth would expect to be paid for 12 weeks holiday when you are not teaching!?!

Your salary is based on teaching weeks presumably you knew that when you started?

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 18/09/2019 06:35

You misunderstand me. I’m not complaining that I’m not paid for them but there is a widely accepted misconception that we are paid for those weeks. We’re not. None of us are complaining about that. It’s the rest of society who are.

As I said in my post, please feel free to become a teacher if you’re that jealous of how pampered we are. We are always looking for fresh meat in our profession.