I have ZERO career progression

[bridgetjonesmassivepants]

I'm sure this is a problem that many of you have come against but I really can't see a solution.

I teach a core subject part time (0.75) I am 42 and have always taught. I have excellent qualifications and have survived numerous culls in my department. I am not regularly outstanding by any means but I am solid, reliable and conscientious, The students I teach do well. I also build good relationships, never had a complaint and am considered 'a safe pair of hands.'

The issue though is that I feel that I am stuck in this job for life. I have no career progression. Only option seems to be HOD and that seems like hell on earth. I could do this but then I would never see my children.

Do I just quit and start something else or just wait till I am replaced with an NQT?

Any wisdom?

I moved up to hod, then back down and then up and sideways into a whole school not pastoral role. There are things that aren't hod.
What are you good at?

Hate pastoral - that I am rubbish at. I am quite stiff upper lip and that doesn't fit at all with today's world. My advice would normally be, 'Get a grip' so really don't think pastoral is the way to go. Also wouldn't be great at being a SENCO.

I'm good at classroom teaching but can only see HOD as the way forward for that one.

Working with trainees?
Staff development?

I have no answers except you sound exactly like me, although my contract is temporary.

Does it matter? Can’t you just carry on as you are if you like it?

I don't particularly like it. I don't mind it (the school I am in now is better than others I've worked in) but feel like I am stuck. I need the money and the holidays for another six years at least but then I'll be getting near 50.

Thank you for your suggestions Mrs Hamlet but neither of them appeal either. The old role of an AST would have been worth looking into but that no longer exists.

Oh dear - that does sound limiting if you are not especially happy. Have you thought about other jobs that are term time only? Perhaps more admin roles? I guess money is the issue there! Sorry that you feel so stuck.

I did HoD for a few years and realised it was a crock of shite and I hated it! I'm just about to take on some pastoral responsibility in a new job rather than HoD. I think you're right that HoD isn't a great deal (for some) but there are lots of other avenues especially in large school. Trainees / transition / advisory role for your MAT or council?

Does your school have a ‘lead practitioner’ path with T&L responsibilities across the dept?

Tiny school and I've never even heard of a 'lead practitioner' ! Think I am just going to have to accept that this is the job and if I want anything else I'll have to get out of teaching.

Like I said most days I don't mind it which is much better position that earlier in my 'career'. I just get REALLY bored - I've been doing the same job for nearly twenty years. Every promotion that I could go for seems to be a huge amount of work, would involve giving up a lot of time and getting very little increase in salary. I'm not sure I would even be considered for other posts as I haven't done any sort of training, except internal CPD which is pretty rubbish, for 15 years.

I could've written your post. Like you, I'm a good, solid safe pair of hands, prefer the academic side of the job, would be rubbish at anything pastoral.

I've made my peace with it now really. I do like my school & don't mind my job & it comfortably pays enough for me to do everything I want to do, so I count my blessings for that.

I would love to be a HoD though, but can't see it happening & I'm pushing 50 now. I really don't want to leave my current school because it's so nice compared to every other school I've worked in.

Glad your school is nice astuz - mine is too and it makes such a difference!

I just feel that I have wasted my career but at the same time I want to see my children. I will soon be having the 6th new HoD in 8 years - I keep seeing people promoted and feel that should be me but the workload is crazy so I am stuck where I am.

But if you don't want to be HOD or don't want to move schools or into another career then yes, you will be staying. Depends on how much you dislike it, I suppose!