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

Original poster

Would you honest recommend primary teaching to someone starting a career.

39 replies

Balula · 17/02/2022 08:25

I'm at a crunch point.
I want to teach either way but originally I thought I wanted to teach further education English OR function skills or adult GCSEs. This comes purely from my experience in these classes and how much I loved going to back to education and having those people teach me. It really changed me as a person, for the better. (Wanky I know)

However, I can't help that fact that every time I spend time at my kids school, be it helping in class with a project, listening to a child read or simply being there for parent evening, assembly, performances etc I feel like I really want to be a primary teacher, having my own class every day (and I know that these aren't a true representation of what a teachers life is like, I'm not daft!)

Secondary teaching has never appealed so I know that's not where I'll go, teenagers are savages!

The thing is, I need to make a decision. I need to pick a course for uni and accept an offer. I can either do English Literature for 3 years and then do a PGCE or I can do a primary teaching degree for 3 years.

I know it's a really bad time to ask because teachers are leaving in their droves and the workload is insane and covid has had an impact on everything. However I'd really like some honest opinions on teaching, would you chose it again if you had a time machine? Would you recommend it to people? What are the best and worst bits?

OP posts:
PhileasPhilby · 25/02/2022 21:45

I love my job but working part time helps a lot. I wouldn’t want my own dc to choose it as a career.

Definitely do the Eng. Lit degree whatever you decide, then pgce afterwards. It will give you more options and more time to decide.

HamCob · 26/02/2022 00:14

No.
I'm fortunate to be able to work part time but the workload of a full time teacher is relentless. No way I could ever do that again. It's not compatible with family life.
As an aside my husband earns twice my salary and never turns on his laptop after 6pm at weekends. There are better jobs out there!

NCTDN · 26/02/2022 09:20

@HamCob I bet you're like me. I work in school 3 days. My 'days off' are spent working to free up my weekends with the family.

HamCob · 26/02/2022 09:36

[quote NCTDN]@HamCob I bet you're like me. I work in school 3 days. My 'days off' are spent working to free up my weekends with the family. [/quote]
Yes!!
Working part time buys you your evenings and weekends back.

Rachellow · 26/02/2022 22:46

I’m in my 2nd year of teaching after missing half my PGCE due to covid. I always say to people you really have to enjoy the 9-3 stuff to cope with the absolute shit of the 7.30-9am and 3-6pm plus weekend. I like it now. I’m not sure it’s going to be a job for life.

Lion1618 · 27/02/2022 11:02

No I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, except for people who don't want to have children of their own, are extremely passionate and happy to dedicate their lives to education. Not being bothered about adequate financial renumeration for your passion and dedciation is a big bonus too.

hedgehogger1 · 01/03/2022 20:04

I'm secondary. Used to have a lot of friends who were primary teachers. The last one has recently quit and is leaving at Easter. It seems unimaginable

TortolaParadise · 10/04/2022 21:27

I have mixed emotions about my teaching career. In my next life I will not choose this profession.

Zero work life balance - even now during the Easter holiday I am writing documents and planning for September 2022.

I have worked under many heads, with varying degrees of experience and leadership styles. They all (bar one) behaved as if staff had 36 waking hours in their day and a sleeping bag in their classroom/office.

Unrealistic demands imposed on your time; lack of resources; lack of general compassion; lack of decision making skills; too many 'career climbers' who have very little classroom experience masquerading as headteachers, assistant headteachers and often deputy headteachers; too many egos, toooooooo much political nonsense to navigate (or not!), too much marking and too much paperwork.

Although I would not recommend it - the joy of teaching a student; to read, to multiply fractions, to assert themselves, to speak with confidence in assemblies, to understand the importance of e-safety, to ask for help - makes me proud. Connecting with their families makes me feel privileged.

cansu · 13/04/2022 19:56

I think the demands now are pretty crazy. I have been teaching for 25 years now and the workload has increased significantly. I started out in secondary and have also done some upper KS2. Whilst I love working with the younger students, the demands from SLT and Ofsted have just sucked all the enjoyment from the job. It is the kind of job where you never feel you are good enough and are in reality just a couple of observations away from being told you are not performing well enough. I think you can have more autonomy in secondary but obviously you get more hassle from the kids. I would do the degree and PGCE to keep your options open.

Dippydinosaurus · 14/04/2022 13:51

I am leaving at the end of the academic year for a job outside teaching. I did my PGCE in my mid 30s and had an office based career prior to this which meant I was able to leave teaching relatively easily. My friend is also leaving teaching after 12 years to do supply. If I was single I could just about manage the job albeit exhausted. I'm currently teaching part time with 2 children and I know I couldn't go back to full time teaching so I've made the decision to leave and work full time with the local council - 35 hours, WFH and Flexi time. After teaching it's like a dream come true!!

Unfortunately, teaching and having children is very difficult, the only plus points are the holidays and pension. But for me it's not worth it. I've worked in the private sector and have been treated professionally and courteously. I may have been lucky with the companies I worked for but this is not what teaching is like. There are schools who are nice to work for which are the exception and not the rule.

Overall the scrutiny and micromanagement of teaching plus the workload is my reason for leaving. Also the feeling of never being good enough and not being able to do my job as well as I'd like because there just isn't enough time to do the job. Sorry it's not a positive post but unfortunately my PGCE didn't work out for me and I lasted only 8 years.

NCTDN · 14/04/2022 15:16

I've been teaching for 27 years. I'd love to say it gets easier, but it's got harder Sad
It's the Easter holidays and I'm sat in a play barn doing work whilst my children play SadSad If I don't do it now I won't be organised for going back after the holidays.

Kite22 · 15/04/2022 00:23

However I'd really like some honest opinions on teaching, would you chose it again if you had a time machine?

If I had a time machine and could go back 35 years, then yes. The teaching time as a proportion of time worked, was better then. I like the teaching. That is what we all go in to the profession for.

However

Would you recommend it to people?

No. I have 3 adult dc. One of them in particular is a natural born teacher. She would be fab. Loads of experience volunteering in children's and youth groups, coaching sports from tiny dc through older ones, and teens and adults. Is patient, tolerant, fun, hard working, and great at explaining things but I would not encourage her into the job. It is such a shame as she would be great at it.

What are the best and worst bits?

Best - the teaching...the light bulb moments...the seeing them progress and just grow over a year....the relationships you build... the knowing you make a difference.....the funny things they say

Worst - the micro management...lack of autonomy....ridiculous "policies".....OFSTED..... Education Minnister after education minister that knows nothing whatsoever about teaching all trying to make their mark by coming up with yet another ridiculous target...... horrendous underfunding of SEND.....shocking lack of specialist places for dc with the most significant needs.....the lack of every other publicly funded service (Social care, Family Support, mental health support, SaLTs, Paediatricians, OTs, physios, Learning Mentors, Behaviour mentors, EAL support, trauma support, parenting courses, HVs, school nurses, etc etc etc) meaning it all gets dumped on teachers........the number of families who forget that 'rights' should be balanced with 'responsibilities......

Seashor · 15/04/2022 17:46

I wouldn’t choose it again. I had two other careers before teaching , both hard work but teaching has been the worst. It’s so demoralising.

Meredusoleil · 15/04/2022 22:11

@Dippydinosaurus

I am leaving at the end of the academic year for a job outside teaching. I did my PGCE in my mid 30s and had an office based career prior to this which meant I was able to leave teaching relatively easily. My friend is also leaving teaching after 12 years to do supply. If I was single I could just about manage the job albeit exhausted. I'm currently teaching part time with 2 children and I know I couldn't go back to full time teaching so I've made the decision to leave and work full time with the local council - 35 hours, WFH and Flexi time. After teaching it's like a dream come true!!

Unfortunately, teaching and having children is very difficult, the only plus points are the holidays and pension. But for me it's not worth it. I've worked in the private sector and have been treated professionally and courteously. I may have been lucky with the companies I worked for but this is not what teaching is like. There are schools who are nice to work for which are the exception and not the rule.

Overall the scrutiny and micromanagement of teaching plus the workload is my reason for leaving. Also the feeling of never being good enough and not being able to do my job as well as I'd like because there just isn't enough time to do the job. Sorry it's not a positive post but unfortunately my PGCE didn't work out for me and I lasted only 8 years.

Can I ask what your job at the local council is please?
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