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Original poster

What year did you begin teaching?

37 replies

good96 · 26/01/2024 20:04

Just a bit of a chat thread….
What year did you begin teaching and where are you at with your career?

I began teaching in 1986 - 38 years this year!
Started as an NQT for English.
I’m now a HT where I have held this role since 2007. Been at my current school since 2003 where I started as a Deputy Headteacher.

OP posts:
Dendron123 · 27/01/2024 09:52

Now Supply Teaching on equivalent of M1 (after years of being paid ridiculously low rates).

Fallulah · 27/01/2024 12:53

2014 - have been a second in dept for about 5 years now and have a whole school role as well. No desire to be HoD in my core subject I don’t think but starting to look at Lead Practitioner (rare as anything where we are) / associate type SLT roles.

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 27/01/2024 14:32

Began in 2018, so had the very weird experience of having covid very early in my career!

I'm still "just" a classroom teacher, but I don't really want to progress beyond that. I'm not interested in line managing other adults, which limits progression opportunities. I sometimes think I would like a HoY type role, but the workload for it can be pretty insane!

I'm lucky that I like the school where I am now, and I'm feeling more settled in my career after moving around a lot early career.

TortolaParadise · 27/01/2024 15:08

1990's ten years after you!
Head of school

spanieleyes · 27/01/2024 18:48

2004 and I retire this year, primary head!

MsJuniper · 27/01/2024 20:55

I trained in 2020 as a career changer (primary). No regrets and hoping to continue until retirement.

Skigal86 · 27/01/2024 21:23

Started teaching in 2011 as a secondary humanities teacher, now FE lecturer with additional responsibility. Definitely want to stay in FE but also want to progress and there are limited opportunities where I am.

echt · 27/01/2024 21:34

1978, secondary English, a number of years in FE.
I was HOD in both UK and Australia. Various vaguely senior posts. The last two years I had none - in Victoria, most promoted posts are on three-year contracts - and went .8 then .6. I loved being solely a classroom teacher, though lockdowns marred it rather.
I retired at the end of 2021.

damnbratz · 28/01/2024 17:40

1990 primary teacher - just taken early retirement at age 55

menopausalmare · 28/01/2024 19:47
southchinasea · 28/01/2024 20:54
  1. I did 25 years in primary schools as a class teacher - mostly in EYFS, Reception and Nursery, which I loved, including some time in international schools in Asia. Now in my third year running my own small business as a tutor. Enjoying working from home, the more relaxed pace and teaching some wonderful children one to one.
Malbecfan · 28/01/2024 21:19

1994 Currently weighing up my options. As I have been P/T since 2000 due to caring responsibilities, I don't have enough saved up to retire til my father dies 😟

BG2015 · 30/01/2024 18:04

1996

Taught in 3 primary schools but my latest school is the one I've been happiest in and have worked there the longest since 2001.

Had ill health since 2021 which has resulted in me dropping to 0.8. I've had a lot of time off sick so I'm thinking that I'm going to have to apply for ill health.

Halifaxgirl · 30/01/2024 19:03

1989 and I have worked continuously although part time for some years.Mostly in three primary schools,mostly reception . I still love my job, but I am ready to retire soon!

stravagante · 02/02/2024 18:14

Trained in 2010 as a career change.
Have worked as classroom teacher in my subject and taught from ks2 to ks5. Was previously head of house in a sixth form house. Now HOD but with an academic HoD under me which is brilliant as they are so hard working and dedicated leaving me more time to muck about with my HoD specialism. I love it. Mad hours but I get big hols as I'm in boarding.

CommanderShepard · 02/02/2024 18:26
  1. ECT2 in a primary school.
DevonshireDumpling1 · 03/02/2024 13:25

Started teaching in 2001 as an NQT in Science. My first week I remember really well - given that it was the same time as the 9/11 attacks and watching it unfold on the staff room TV.
I’m now currently a Deputy Headteacher applying for headship posts.
Changed schools 3 times in that period. Been at my current school since 2014.

BCBird · 03/02/2024 17:27
  1. Planning on hoping earli at 55. Never planned for this. Single. No real.savings. Like job, but can't take the pace. Will get a part time job yo supplement my pension. Am in secondary
BG2015 · 03/02/2024 18:52

BCBird · 03/02/2024 17:27

  1. Planning on hoping earli at 55. Never planned for this. Single. No real.savings. Like job, but can't take the pace. Will get a part time job yo supplement my pension. Am in secondary

Similar timescale to me. I'm 55 on Tuesday. I think I may going down the ill health retirement route if the current medication I'm taking doesn't work.

Check out the Facebook group Teachers Pensions - Teachers to Teachers (U.K.) loads of information on there about retiring

BCBird · 03/02/2024 19:14

Thanks BG2015. Not on Facebook. Heard about this. Might join

BG2015 · 04/02/2024 08:03

staffroom.boards.net/

This another teacher board with a retirement section. You have to ask to join

It's not Facebook based

BCBird · 04/02/2024 15:28

👍thank you 🙂

Bakingwithmyboys · 15/02/2024 17:03

2008 - 16 years this year. Still a classroom teacher and not gone through upper pay scale as I've been part time for the last 9 years and too low in the pecking order. Primary here.

JaffavsCookie · 15/02/2024 20:07

2009, career changer. My pensions are fucked though which is concerning.

wineandsunshine · 15/02/2024 22:26

2019 - M4 primary teacher.

I did qualify in 2011 but had my children straight after!