Anyone else had enough?

[DaveCoachesgavemetheclap]

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.

@MrsRLH75

Omg! I know this is an old post but I found it when I was searching for an answer as to whether I’m too old to retrain as a primary school teacher at 46. You all (mostly) hate it! Shall I go back to the drawing board? Is it that bad? I’m a lawyer and mum to 4 kids so not afraid of hard work but this has made me rethink…!

Being honest, I have left primary teaching this year because having 4 kids and being in my mid 40s was making me much more tired and slow than I realised. As my colleagues got younger it became more of a problem. I couldn't start now. The first few years in particular aren't family friendly and if you're a teacher childcare in the holidays will always be your job to cover so you'll be working evenings / weekends through them. If it was the hours and childcare that put you off law, I'd look elsewhere than teaching for a career change in all honesty.

I resigned in the summer having been bullied out via a 'support plan' along with two other members of staff (one also 50+ like me). I was intending to retire next summer but our brand new shiny (dick)head teacher had obviously decided he couldn't wait that long to get rid of me. In fact he advertised our jobs before we had even handed in our notice! I feel nothing but relief that I no longer have to put up with the constant bullshit that teaching has become.

@MrsRLH75

Omg! I know this is an old post but I found it when I was searching for an answer as to whether I’m too old to retrain as a primary school teacher at 46. You all (mostly) hate it! Shall I go back to the drawing board? Is it that bad? I’m a lawyer and mum to 4 kids so not afraid of hard work but this has made me rethink…!

You need to realise exactly what you are letting yourself in for. Workload and pressure is horrendous. Constant scrutiny and changes. Two of my colleagues were in tears today as they are so overwhelmed and that's in a school with supportive SLT. Literally every single teacher I know wants out but most are trapped by the salary and feeling unable to do anything else.