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Original poster

Am I mad to leave teaching for a low-paid job?

38 replies

LapsedTwentysomething · 10/10/2014 19:55

I started at a new school this term and it's just not for me. Behaviour is poor, teaching content is all prescribed and there's always a criticism behind every comment the head makes (not of me personally, but the staff seem to be perceived as wayward slackers).

The job is FT so family life is mad. I leave too early to have much to do with the DCs and every bedtime is stressful as I need then to get to sleep so I can work. At the weekend I'm doing half a day's work just to keep up, never mind meeting all the demands to perfection.

The new job would also be FT, but 9-5, which would at least allow me to do the school drop off. I would lose the hols but I calculate that I'm working a day to a day and a half extra every week anyway (50ish hours).

The pay is a less than half my current salary though. I'm considering it on the basis that I would study and get experience while working towards becoming a fee earner, which is what's being suggested.

But. Life isn't going to be easy financially. School hols will become a bit of an issue.

WWYD?

OP posts:
FrancisdeSales · 10/10/2014 20:56

Are you the only earner in the household? Can you survive on a more than 50% pay cut?

IndiansInTheLobby · 10/10/2014 21:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Penfold007 · 10/10/2014 21:13

Totally get what you mean but a 50% pay cut!!!!! Why not consider supply teaching?

Original poster
LapsedTwentysomething · 11/10/2014 15:50

I'm not the only earner in our house but I am currently the highest. I would take home a little less than a did on a 0.5 PT contract. As it is my current salary leaves us financially comfortable for the first time ever but I'm detatched from my kids' lives during term time.

We live quite rurally so it's either teaching or a massive pay cut either permanently or to retrain. This way at least I have decent earning potential in a few years and could sustain a desk job well into my 60s. I honestly feel I wouldn't survive to enjoy it if I work this frantically until I retire.

OP posts:
amyhamster · 11/10/2014 15:52

I don't think I would
I would look for another job in a different school though

Original poster
LapsedTwentysomething · 11/10/2014 15:52

Indians, sounds interesting. Dying to know what you do

OP posts:
BackforGood · 11/10/2014 16:01

Have you considered going PT?
If you did 3 days, the way the tax system is in UK, you end up with a LOT more than 3/5 of your current take home pay.

You then have 2 days at home - can collect and drop off your dc, and spend one of those days working, leaving your weekends (and probably the other non-working day) free from school work. You keep the school holidays.

Would be a far better option than doing FT in a job that pays half.

Original poster
LapsedTwentysomething · 11/10/2014 16:10

Current head wouldn't countenance PT. Wonder if that would change if I hand in my notice? I tried supply for the two terms before getting the job. The only work there was was at this school now I see why. I didn't get to see the place as it really is because they used me for marking and basically shut me away!

I'm feeling a bit trapped re another school as a lot advertise jobs as main scale only, but with my experience I'm top of the upper scale. I don't want a promotion.

Not looking for excuses, but those are the reasons for considering a complete change (which necessitates a pay cut).

OP posts:
BackforGood · 11/10/2014 16:13

Current head wouldn't countenance PT

Well, it's for you to put a request in, and the school to justify why it can't happen, not the other way round - get backing from your union if you are nervous of it.

That said, I can see that it wouldn't be conducive to the best atmosphere. I still think you'd be better looking for alternatives in teaching, but, if you've made up your mind.....

StripyBanana · 11/10/2014 16:16

How does it give you decent earning potential in the future? Is it a low paid job but with potential to lead to more (and if so what is it?!) as that's different to just bailing out altogether.

I certainly am not planning to go back to full time teaching. Time and again there are threads on mn where people are finding its not sustainable. I'm either planning to retrain - or just give up and do lower paid work....

JumpingJetFlash · 11/10/2014 16:19

That's what I've currently done as I need the experience to do the Masters to qualify in my next career which will then pay a similar rate to teaching - albeit I'll start at NQT level. Short term pain for long term gain in my view.

I'm by no means the main earner in my family though so that might affect your decision.

It is sad that so many ppl are leaving teaching but it's just an unrelenting and largely negative place to be at the mo. Good luck whatever you choose :-)

Original poster
LapsedTwentysomething · 11/10/2014 16:27

Well I'm looking at an entry level job in the field I'm planning to qualify in (law) and they're specifically interested because I want to do the training. It's win-win because they get a lower rate fee earner and I get to retrain while earning, albeit not that much.

OP posts:
whatnoblackshoes · 11/10/2014 16:43

I have just written my resignation letter. Nothing else lined up but know I can't carry on. I'll sign up for supply whilst I decide what to do next. Things will be very tight but DH and I have decided we'll have to manage otherwise I'll go under (I'm in my 40s, loads of experience, good at what I do but never felt under so much pressure). Don't want to make this about me as it's your thread but just wanted you to know you're not alone!

StripyBanana · 11/10/2014 17:19

Ah well I think that makes a difference, Lapsed. If they're interested and you can do the training alongside the work that's v different to just leaving the world of work altogether. I'd definitely do it!

I really need a long term career change so just considering options (alongside childcare location etc etc)

Original poster
LapsedTwentysomething · 11/10/2014 17:57

Don't apologise blackshoes. It's good to know it's not just me being a wimp for not hacking it.

The work is particularly onerous in this school. I've been observed twice this week, which is standard apparently, with an open eve sandwiched in between. Just getting control so you can deliver the (directed) curriculum is a feat in itself.

I'm a good teacher. My observations this week back that up - not that assessing, planning and 'performing' to that level is sustainable for more than a couple of lessons a week, so in my view the obs outcomes are of little worth. I'm not using my professional experience. I'm just there as crowd control and to deliver an uninspired curriculum.

OP posts:
fredfredsausagehead1 · 11/10/2014 19:37

Sorry you have this dilemma.

I gave up teaching as I just couldn't put everything into it and my young family. Do what suits your family and your life.

rallytog1 · 12/10/2014 15:37

What would you do about childcare in the holidays? You'd need to work out how much that's likely to cost and factor that into your planning.

The other thing to think about is that you're not necessarily guaranteed to only work 9-5 even if that's what the contract says - plenty of people in non-teaching jobs work longer hours than they're supposed to and also bring work home. I know people who've left teaching and been shocked to find they don't have any less work or stress in their new jobs. So do your homework about what to expect in reality.

StripyBanana · 12/10/2014 17:57

Gosh that surprises me a little - so many people come into teaching from high flying careers thinking it would be easier... and leave within the first few years. So many people leave teaching and are happier (see the numerous threads on mn/tes where people post what they do instead!)

fredfredsausagehead1 · 12/10/2014 19:16

Such a shame teachers need more support and less criticism!!!!

BedBugged · 12/10/2014 19:22

You need to be sure that the 9/5 is that. Especially if you're studying ontop

I don't think I know anyone who
works only their contracted hours. Most careers, if you wish to succeed, require hours put in in the evenings / at weekends

Viviennemary · 12/10/2014 19:29

If you can take the reduction in salary and your job is making you miserable then you should go for the new job. But think carefully before you take the plunge. On the other hand what is the point of risking your health because of a job.

HexBramble · 12/10/2014 19:44

It could be me writing your post, OP.
You are not alone Sad

This week, I chatted to one of the most inspired, experienced and successful teachers and she admitted to me, with tears in her eyes, that she'd missed so much of her DC's childhood through teaching. And all for what? To be still observed and scrutinised and un-supported.

It has made me think very carefully about things. Sad

Original poster
LapsedTwentysomething · 12/10/2014 19:48

Tbh, one of the most appealing things about leaving teaching is the thought of being in a quiet (relatively!) office and managing my own workload and not that of 200 reluctant teenagers. I envisage that confrontation would be the exception rather than the norm and that I could just quietly get on with it rather than have to start a new performance every 50 minutes with barely time for a toilet break.

I know I'm labouring under a bit of a delusion but anything has to be less physically and mentally draining than teaching a core subject with an enormous planning and marking workload. I can't imagine how many hours I would have to put in to do my current job to the standard demanded every lesson of every day, as I just don't have that time available to me with two small DCs. Therefore I can never feel that I'm doing a good job.

I crave job satisfaction.

OP posts:
Honu · 12/10/2014 21:54

Crowd control and other hassle is just what I don't want - but I need to earn!

I teach maths, juniors to A level, and earn by

  1. Private tuition in holidays / after school where I charge the national rate for hourly pay for my scale, rounded up to the next £.
  1. Working for the county education authority teaching children who are too ill, mentally or physically, to be in school.
  1. Teaching children who are in school but statemented and not in lessons and whose maths is beyond those of the TAs who care for them.

Both 2 and 3 pay as 1 but without the extra rounding. I am on the upper pay scale. Job 2 comes with a laptop.

Most of the other teachers who I meet working in 2 do something else extra - one is a school counsellor, another works p/t in a FE college.

These jobs have no security, no pay during the holidays, and are zero-hours contracts. For 1 and 3 I am registered self-employed, for 2 it is monthly paid. It is however very rewarding and I enjoy it.

Hope this helps some other teachers.

rallytog1 · 12/10/2014 22:59

I guess there's always exceptions on all sides. I just meant that the op needs to go into it with eyes open - the grass ain't always greener!