SCITT - Primary

[LoyalBrickWasp]

I am a single parent with two children in primary school, and an interested in a primary SCITT (school based rather than university based). I realise there's a lot of extra work both as a trainee and as a teacher, but for the first few years is possible to be both a parent that is present and engaged and also a teacher?

For instance, does it tend to be acceptable to arrive at school at say 8.15 and leave at 3.30-4 on days where there no meetings, and then do all planning/marking/essays at home? Do you get much of a say in where your placements are? Also how is the job market for primary teachers currently? I've had a search online for primary vacancies near me and there are only a few, but I thought it was around this time of year where the vacancies tend to be posted.

Am I mad to contemplate this?

Wouldn't recommend, will have to be in earlier than 8.15am to prepare, lots of additional work outside time in the classroom, lesson planning/meetings etc. I found it very hard with 1 5 year old. Ironically it is one of the least family-friendly jobs I've come across.

I agree not family friendly at all… You will give 100% of yourself to benefit children that are not your own … I am in school everyday (primary) from 7:00 am - TA’s are a very limited resource these days and everyone in the school needs to get their resources ready too - TA’s are rarely available for preparing resources in the morning. I work until 5:30 - 6pm - I am sometimes there until 8:00 pm. That is just how it is these days - years ago, teachers mostly had a class TA to help but that is not the case these days. I cannot tell you how much admin there is to do day-day. I then work from home most evenings and every weekend planning lessons. The life of a teacher is not great - you just end up feeling perpetually guilty because you are putting so much effort into other people’s children, all the while your own suffer because you don’t have quality time off work.

I agree with everything you've put - although why do you work 7-5.30/6 or longer? You're going to burn out.

I'm in at 7.40 and leave at 4.45pm. Generally don't work in the evenings but do at least 4/5 hours extra over the course of the week (eg. 2.5hrs PPA & 2.5hrs at weekend).

My kids are older teenagers - I always worked part time when they were younger. I'd have had a breakdown otherwise.

In this area it is really hard for a primary ECT to get a job.Lots of ECT1s i know haven't had their contract extended because it is so onerous to support an ECT.Lots of people have to move away and go to inner city or do supply.

It is doable. I did my Scitt with a 5 and 7 year old. Although I had good childcare and family support, which was essential.
I am now a single parent with 3 children at home. 2 are primary age. I usually get in just after 8 and leave by 5.

I reduced my hours to part time at the point of the job being so full on that I couldn't speak to my own children by the time I got home. Talked all day to other people's children just not my own.

Sorry, to answer your question about flexibility to leave and continue at home… it is very unlikely.

You will be needed in school to talk with parents, to plan with other staff, to prepare resources, tidy your classroom, finish off record keeping, be ready to discuss children, including safeguarding, with other staff, to meet with your mentor, etc etc.

Sadly, full time teaching is not family friendly.