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Original poster

I need to leave teaching but wtf else can I do?

80 replies

Grockle · 27/12/2013 19:04

I need to work and have always loved teaching.

Over recent years, I have developed several chronic illnesses that have become worse with time & are aggravated by stress. I have had significant time off work which, I think, will make it difficult to be employed elsewhere.

I am being hounded at work now & know my boss has asked people behind my back if they want to make a formal complaint about me (they don't) but I really feel like I am being pushed out. Capability proceedings have been mentioned in passing & although there is no reason for me to be put on capability, it is now an easy way to get a teacher out. I have been in touch with my union & I am just biding my time now, waiting to see what will happen next. I think work are waiting for me to be off sick again, so they can push for me to leave on the grounds of ill health.

WTF do I do? Teaching does make me ill but I don't want to do anything else. I have no skills, no training in anything else.

OP posts:
Original poster
grockle · 28/12/2013 21:34

Thank you... I will go back to union because I think I am deliberately given difficult situations to deal with but with no support. So, at the start of the year, I had 6 very challenging children & not enough staff to keep them safe. I had to beg for an additional adult to ensure the children's safety. My legs are blac and blue every day and 3 of my team have been given whiplash. I'm tired of getting hurt & no-one caring. I should have changed names for this.

I just need something else. Waitrose have no jobs Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
grockle · 28/12/2013 21:35

I'll look at independent schools, thank you.

It's depressing, isn't it, Pickle

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ARealPickle · 28/12/2013 21:51

Oh that sounds really awful grockle. In teaching it feels awful if you feel you are failing your children too, doesn't it?

I want really want to return to something I can put my heart into, that pays the bills, but just can't see how you restart a career in your 30s once you've had children.

It's just so very different to being a recent graduate.

ARealPickle · 28/12/2013 22:40

Whatever you do, don't hand your notice in. Your union can negotiate a compromise agreement or something where they at least give you several months pay when you leave.

RubyRR · 28/12/2013 23:07

This may help, it's not just you! It also includes information about what people do after teaching ukedchat.com/2013/11/10/why-teachers-leave-the-profession-and-what-they-do/

kickassangel · 29/12/2013 00:43

If you think you aren't being supported then the union really should come through for you. If you have a good enough case you can start legal proceedings against the school to show that they are actually exacerbating your illness. Often having a legal and factual discussion about that with a union rep there can be enough to get a deal

Or you can go to a doctor and explain how stressed and Ill your work makes you, and be signed off until a phased and supported return to work is put in place. Again, I worked with people who has several months off for similar reasons.

You are bit the only person I know who has gone through similar. I think some heads are so focused in gov targets and budgets that they forget their humanity.

Would anyone be willing to testify that they were asked to out on a grievance about you? That is very underhand an sneaky.

GW297 · 29/12/2013 00:52

Job share?

Supply teaching is very flexible and shorter hours. You can do half days too.

PolyesterBride · 29/12/2013 00:58

What about something lije this www.livingenglish.com

  • you teach the foreign honest at students as well as give them food / accommodation. I've heard good things about it - it's good money and you can do it in short bursts (unless you get ill unexpectedly, which would be an issue I guess)
PolyesterBride · 29/12/2013 00:59

homestay not honest at - sorry!

hoochymama1 · 29/12/2013 17:05

Much sympathy Grockle hope it works out.
I was like you, but MH probs, and a bullying head, it really put me off teaching and I changed careers.
You are in a strong position, don't let them make you feel bad. Document everything. Really get on to your union, and get their support. A friend of mine negotiated a retirement package due to prolonged ill health...Sometimes it is worth their while to negotiate a settlement.
Hang on in there Smile

Blushingm · 29/12/2013 19:32

Supply agency???

Original poster
Grockle · 29/12/2013 21:07

Thank you all.

I've contacted Living English, looked at TEFL courses & told my mother I think I want to hand in my notice. She sighed & did a bit of a cats bum mouth, as expected. She's a very career-oriented teacher & doesn't understand that I don't have a burning desire to go to the top. She also doesn't understand my illnesses or being a lone parent

Will keep in touch with my union and document everything. Should probably have gone to GP about my whiplash injury but couldn't be bothered since nothing can be done.

OP posts:
PolyesterBride · 29/12/2013 22:05

Good luck. If you do TEFL, make sure it is a CELTA course - those are the proper accredited ones.

Applefallingfromthetree2 · 29/12/2013 23:13

Don't be put off working in FE, it is different certainly and is hard work but very rewarding. Teaching childcare students, teenagers and adults, could be right up your street.

Fridayschild · 05/01/2014 08:48

If you are not happy about constant interference with your work or external pressure I would not recommend the independent sector. It is the natural home of highly articulate and pushy parents. I say this as the mother of children at an independent school.... We have been in the state sector as well, so I am aware that pushy parents can be found everywhere, but the scale of interference with the school's work at a private school has really surprise me.

Have you thought about nannying? Last time I looked I was surprised by the number of teachers who were ready to nanny. I understand you would need to find care for your own DS. However there are lots more 3 or 4 day a week jobs which might work for you than there were 10 years ago. A nanny who likes working with older children, ie not babies, and has SEN experience gets paid more.

Original poster
Grockle · 05/01/2014 12:29

I've worked in independent schools, so know the pressure.

Nannying is a possibility but at the moment, I think I'm too burned out for anything much. Will have a very good think. Thank you all for the help.

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duchesse · 05/01/2014 12:33

Do you have any hobbies/crafts that you can turn into a job?

You have my extreme sympathy OP. Teaching seems horrific at the moment- I'm eternally thankful that I left when I did.

duchesse · 05/01/2014 12:34

Alternatively you could look at going to work abroad- ie like a grown-up gap, in a school such as the International School in Samui. I know for a fact they only recruit British teachers.

duchesse · 05/01/2014 12:35

*gap year

LIZS · 05/01/2014 12:35

there is going to be more demand for Level 2 teaching esp Numeracy and Literacy to adults. Local FE college may be looking for tutors although that tends to be paid sessional rather than salaried or one of the outsourced trainers like A4E or the equivalent in your area which take referrals from job centre.

duchesse · 05/01/2014 12:37

Keep your eye on this page if you want to contemplate it. It's far less pressured than the UK system! British owners. And you get a significant fees reduction if you're staff.

Original poster
Grockle · 05/01/2014 13:03

Thank you LIZS, that;s good to know.

Duchesse, that sounds great but working abroad isn't an option for me atm.

Feeling sick about going back tomorrow, not sleeping, haven't done any planning (don't have children in yet so thats not huge but I always used to have it done way in advance).

I need a term off, I think.

OP posts:
duchesse · 05/01/2014 13:05

That school has a kindergarten from age 2 btw!

duchesse · 05/01/2014 13:08

Don't know what age you teach but can you do something about Epiphany- Orthodox calendar (ie it's Christmas tomorrow in some countries), Christmas customs in other countries. Could be quite cross-curricular. I was secondary teacher and have no idea about how you have to plan in primary so might not work for you.

Original poster
Grockle · 05/01/2014 13:14

Thanks Duchesse. My children don't start til the following week so I have some breathing space. I teach severe SEN so most of what we do is foundation stage level. I love it, I really do. But I'm ready to hand in my notice.

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