This is the year I retire and teaching

[BG2015]

I have to keep telling myself that in order to get through the next 7 months!

It's actually only 96 teaching days. I only teach 4 days. But it feels like forever.

The day I can fill in the retirement forms is 3rd March.

Ofsted will probably be visiting us too with the next 7 months, that will be fun 🙈

Just fed up of it all now. Been at my current school since 2001 and teaching since 1996! It's not the job it once was, sadly.

It's not so long to get through. Less than 100 days, you can do this! Plan some nice activities for the weekends as mini steps along the way to look forward to. At least five more years for me if I can last that long. It's the thought of OFSTED within that time period that depresses me most...

That's a good idea!

We have already got some things booked and planned in so it's a good idea to work towards each of those.

Thankfully the days at school whizz by! Our student teacher comments about how fast the days/weeks go by all the time.

This was me last year ,just making the decision to go really helped. I loved my job but I knew it was time . I kept a things I won’t miss list ,along with a list of things I wanted to do in case I regretted it and quietly celebrated every last time for all the annual events .Same situation regarding OFSTED -been through so many after starting teaching in 1989,it really was the least of it . Loving retirement now ,there is more to life than teaching .

I totally agree with you BG2015 and congratulations on your impending retirement.

The time will go fast and we will be at the summer term before we know it!

i’m counting down too - 39 years this year in education, was in my last school for 21 years and moved to my current school in September 2024 to lead a two year turnaround following a poor OFSTED. Expecting them aswell soon… told the CEO of the academy trust that I will definitely be retiring in August 2026 so that gives them enough notice.

Me too, but only 72 days for me as I work three days a week. I took final salary pension early a few years ago, did a day's break in service and started a new job at a new school doing three days. But enough is enough and as PP said, it's not the job it was.

I always intended to retire at 60 but when I got to 54, I realised that no way could I do another 6 years. I decided to take my pension at 55 and haven't regretted it for a ssecond.The freedom is absolutely priceless.

I'm planning retirement too but getting teachers pensions to answer my questions is a nightmare! Can anyone confirm that the tax free lump sum outlined on the benefit statement is actually tax free - not just 25% of it?

@LizzyF Yes it is tax free

Thank you. I'd always thought so but information on Wesleyan site suggests only the first 25% is tax free, in line with many other pensions.

Go on the Teachers to Teachers Facebook group. Loads of brilliant advice on there plus David Fountain has done spreadsheets and guides to help you. He also has a YouTube channel

I've now got 43 days!!

Last ever Ofsted tomorrow- we had the call.

Proud of you. Enjoy the inspection knowing it is your last.

How is it going?

We had a very positive first day. He told us we have amazing children, which was lovely. Second day and it's nearly over. Thankfully I don't have a class so haven't felt as pressured and my subject or my role as subject lead hasn't been looked at so I've slept well.
Never want to do it ever again, Ofsted is the most ridiculous process ever and causes so much unnecessary stress.

This is good news for you and your school community. Let the count down continue.😁

It’s over!
We are very happy! My HT thanked us all, he’s a great head (mostly)
he’s just text me to say “well done and you can retire knowing you’ve done a great job”

That is so heart warming, Congrats to you all.🍾

That is lovely, congratulations

How is retirement going for you?!
Hope you are loving every single second of it…

Retirement has been brilliant so far.

I intended on doing a WFH role but that didn't work out and I decided to look into supply.
Joined a couple of supply agencies and dipped my toe in during October. I do 2-3 days a week and always keep Monday and Friday free. At 3.30 I'm in my car and sat on my sofa by 4pm with a brew. I get the best bits of teaching without all the crap.

We've been to Krakow for a city break and have Amsterdam planned for February. Meet up with friends for coffee, walks or lunch on a Friday. Read. Catching up on some TV series on Netflix my DP won't watch.

Financially I'm fine and now my supply work is a bit more regular I'm saving more too.

Not regretted it one bit.

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply to me. I'm delighted for you, genuinely. Sounds bliss! I've 6.5 years to go (I'll be 55 then with 33 years service, plus AVCs since I was an NQT) and I'm in the countdown ...