Who has left teaching? Any regrets?

[somuchcoffeeneeded]

Just that really. I’m a teacher on maternity leave and already dreading going back to my terrible workload. A job has come up not in teaching. Pay cut and fewer holidays. Would I regret it? I’m in a senior school position so I couldn’t pop back in at the same level if I changed my mind.

Is it your first child or do you have a school age one already? I came out of teaching for a while when we lived overseas - the loss of the summer holiday in particular was difficult and I appreciate it very much these days (I teach again). It depends how serious your workload is and how much you feel you need the holidays with your DC.
I actually very much enjoyed doing something different for a couple of years and went back to teaching with a renewed and refreshed attitude, but now my children are both at school (ie no nursery in the holidays!) I find teaching more family friendly.
If you've got robust help in school holidays or your DC are nursery age and can carry on going, I would recommend doing something different for a while, change is a good as a rest sometimes.

Could you consider part time? I'm wondering if the paycuts would balance out, iyswim?

I left. I was HoD and am now a Learning Designer in a university. I get 44 days leave a year, work flexible hours and love my job.

I was a pastoral manager in a large inner city secondary. I work in a community MH role now within a charity so WFH the majority of the time.

Pros: doubled my pay, manage my own diary/time, lots of autonomy, get treated with a lot more respect, zero stress, and I mean zero.

Cons: slightly bored, miss the buzz, less holiday (although I’ll need holidays less)…. Erm but that’s it. There are two ex teachers in my team and they said they’re never going back.

only one - that I couldn't afford to do it sooner. I am very happy to be at home today instead of feeling sick at the thought of being in school.

@JuliaBlackberry I have two at school plus the baby.

@amillionmenonmars I feel like this because I’m on maternity leave. So happy to not be thinking about the start of the year!

@JuliaBlackberry I would have solid paid for holiday childcare so that is okay.

@Monestera senior leaders are not allowed part time at my school. I’ve found part time to be generally despised in primary schools