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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

Too late to go back to teaching?

4 replies

AnxiousTeacher2 · 06/02/2024 17:46

Hi all, hoping to get some advice from some seasoned and experienced education professionals. - My apologies if this is a little long! I qualified as a Primary teacher in 2015, passed all placements successfully, etc, and very much enjoyed the job. The main issue was my mentor on my final placement - she was an absolute horror and made my life a living hell (think literally crying every Sunday night at the thought of having to go back and losing my words when she came into the room while I was teaching). It was all very unwarranted criticism and just very persistent nasty, bitchy comments, real "mean girl" behaviour. (Obviously, I had things to learn and improve, but I went from having very positive reports on early placements to basically being told to quit teaching as I was so bad. After I complained, I was independently observed by a number of other teachers, including the head and my uni tutor, all of whom said that her assessment that I was just a "shit teacher" was totally unwarranted). She was ultimately removed for bullying and replaced with another teacher who was much better! The issue is that the damage was done, and while I completed the course successfully (with great references/reports), I turned down an offer to teach at my final placement school because my confidence was shot to pieces, and I ended up having a mini breakdown from the stress of this woman.

Long story short I ended up in another career which I have been doing successfully for the last few years. I do enjoy it and am good at it, but it is very corporate in nature, and ultimately quite unrewarding, especially when I consider doing it for the rest of my professional life! Very much making as much money as possible for the company, rather than making a "real difference" if that makes sense (am aware that lots of seasoned teachers will think I am very naive by this point!) For the last year or so, I have toyed with the idea of returning to teaching, and did a few one-off tutoring sessions for friends and family, which I really enjoyed. My main question is would I be totally insane to try and get back into teaching after such a long gap? My plan was to get some supply experience under my belt for a year or two (possibly even as a HLTA or cover supervisor rather than class teacher as I am literally so nervous!), before possibly going back full time. I have QTS, but did not complete my NQT/ECT year.

I know that teaching is a hot mess right now (family members are secondary school teachers), but it is something I know would give me a lot more job satisfaction compared to my current role, and ultimately, something I really did enjoy during my PGCE year and subsequent pops of experience. Essentially, would any school even touch me with a bargepole after so long out of the classroom, and is this a totally mad goal? Thanks to all who made it this far!

OP posts:
orangeblossom23 · 06/02/2024 18:08

AnxiousTeacher2 · 06/02/2024 17:46

Hi all, hoping to get some advice from some seasoned and experienced education professionals. - My apologies if this is a little long! I qualified as a Primary teacher in 2015, passed all placements successfully, etc, and very much enjoyed the job. The main issue was my mentor on my final placement - she was an absolute horror and made my life a living hell (think literally crying every Sunday night at the thought of having to go back and losing my words when she came into the room while I was teaching). It was all very unwarranted criticism and just very persistent nasty, bitchy comments, real "mean girl" behaviour. (Obviously, I had things to learn and improve, but I went from having very positive reports on early placements to basically being told to quit teaching as I was so bad. After I complained, I was independently observed by a number of other teachers, including the head and my uni tutor, all of whom said that her assessment that I was just a "shit teacher" was totally unwarranted). She was ultimately removed for bullying and replaced with another teacher who was much better! The issue is that the damage was done, and while I completed the course successfully (with great references/reports), I turned down an offer to teach at my final placement school because my confidence was shot to pieces, and I ended up having a mini breakdown from the stress of this woman.

Long story short I ended up in another career which I have been doing successfully for the last few years. I do enjoy it and am good at it, but it is very corporate in nature, and ultimately quite unrewarding, especially when I consider doing it for the rest of my professional life! Very much making as much money as possible for the company, rather than making a "real difference" if that makes sense (am aware that lots of seasoned teachers will think I am very naive by this point!) For the last year or so, I have toyed with the idea of returning to teaching, and did a few one-off tutoring sessions for friends and family, which I really enjoyed. My main question is would I be totally insane to try and get back into teaching after such a long gap? My plan was to get some supply experience under my belt for a year or two (possibly even as a HLTA or cover supervisor rather than class teacher as I am literally so nervous!), before possibly going back full time. I have QTS, but did not complete my NQT/ECT year.

I know that teaching is a hot mess right now (family members are secondary school teachers), but it is something I know would give me a lot more job satisfaction compared to my current role, and ultimately, something I really did enjoy during my PGCE year and subsequent pops of experience. Essentially, would any school even touch me with a bargepole after so long out of the classroom, and is this a totally mad goal? Thanks to all who made it this far!

They definitely would, especially since you have QTS. You also do not have any gaps in employment which is very helpful!
So lots of good things.
I would imagine doing some TA work for 1 year would help you get back into the routine, I would not be a TA for more than that as the pay is shocking.
Be very picky with the school you choose, ask to visit and observe lessons to get a vibe of the school. I would really ease into a career in teaching with an open mind, it can be incredibly rewarding but the stress of the job is very very intense.
The workload in primary is enormous and very different from the PGCE, i suggest TA work first and really shadowing the teacher then consider if you want to apply for a teaching post. The reality is a 50 + hour job in term time, many people want out🙏 I hope I was not discouraging

Original poster
AnxiousTeacher2 · 15/02/2024 14:52

Thanks so much - definitely not discouraging; your honesty and openness is appreciated! Totally agree that the TA route is the place to start, and will hopefully give a better chance to get to know schools etc! Thanks again!

OP posts:
Postapocalypticcowgirl · 15/02/2024 16:05

I think education is in a very different place to 2015- unless you're inside schools regularly, you may think you understand, but you probably don't. I don't mean to sound patronising, but I have relatives who've been out of teaching for 10 years or so and are shocked by what I tell them now happens in schools, which I fully accept as normal.

That said, some time as a TA or on supply will give you some insight into the current state of education and allow you to make an informed decision before looking for a permanent teaching job.

Just FYI, ECT is now a 2 year program in England.

calorcalorcalor · 15/02/2024 16:33

I had a really similar experience to you although dropped out of my final placement just before the end so no QTS. I worked as TA/Cover supervisor and then re-did my PGCE 7 or so years later and found it fairly easy as I had built up my confidence and experience over those years. It was hard money-wise but I loved my placements the 2nd time round and felt much more confident! No issues finding a job either. So not quite the same situation as you but I hope that helps.

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