Had it with Teaching

[Lizay27]

Love teaching and preparing resources. I believe I'm good at it. I have alot of passion but unfortunately nowadays it seems only 1/4 of my time is spent doing this the other 3/4 of it is spent doing useless paper work which grows in demand each year.

I am SERIOUSLY considering leaving teaching because of the impact it's having on my personal life (no time with kids as a mum, speed train of work thoughts, working every day, evening And weekends). Its not worth it.

I want to get into something within education such as instructional design but want a normal job where I can actually live the limited time we get given! Can anyone suggest any good jobs that would work for teacher skill set and how to go about finding them?

Teach PE?

Is the school you’re at the problem? I definitely don’t spend 3/4 of my time doing pointless stuff. Maybe a different school would be a better fit?

SEN?

I just feel like the endless paper work is of no benefit to me or my students 😬

I worked at an SEN school and loved every second of it. Learnt so much from working with students and therapists. All paper work was beneficial there!

I thought about SENCO however after joining some groups to get a feel, it seems to be a very rewarding job but very high pressured and seems more stressful than my Job in primary now with that craziness of working nonstop!

Bloody hell, whatever you do don't become a primary SENCO. Incredibly little reward for very high workload and stress, dealing with a SEND support system which is falling apart more each year. At meetings I used to go to, SENCOs would literally cry in frustration at agencies consistently refusing to support the most needy children - horrible. Have you tried moving schools? I left a MAT and now teach in a lovely LA school with minimal paperwork.

There is a useful fb group called Exit the Classroom and Thrive for those who have left or want to leave teaching.

I understand exactly how you feel. I think parents of children who have send have no idea what actually happens in schools. That only ONE person in a WHOLE school has to have ANY qualifications in additional needs(and even then it only applies to SENCos that started after 2008). In fact they only have to get some training three years after they started the job( 2015 Code of Practice). That the Carter Review in 2015 found that there was virtually no training in supporting children with special educational needs on new teacher training courses. Also in independent and special schools ANYONE can be the SENCo and that they never need to get any training at all.
www.specialeducationalneeds.co.uk/uploads/1/1/4/6/11463509/senco_-_key_information_guide__3.pdf
I would recommend that any parent, before allowing their child to join a new school, should check does the SENCo have the NASEN level 7 award or a masters degree in specifically special educational needs for young people or something similar.
Please, please check that the people looking after your child who might need specialist, trained support is qualified to do so.

Bloody hell, whatever you do don't become a primary SENCO. Incredibly little reward for very high workload and stress, dealing with a SEND support system which is falling apart more each year. At meetings I used to go to, SENCOs would literally cry in frustration at agencies consistently refusing to support the most needy children - horrible.

Absolutely this. I managed 2 years and then left that job completely (including the deputy head position). SENDCO is a mugs game at the minute. I had some tiny wins, but mostly cried a lot with frustration. I'm not a 'crier'.

I've managed so far this school year to work 2 evenings in total, no weekend days and no holiday days. Worked for 1 day over the summer holidays. I've been on an absolute mission from 7.30am - 4.45pm, not a second wasted. It's just about do-able, although I have a constant to-do list that I never get to the end of. I've made my peace with that though, it's fine.