Stick to teaching or head to Civil Service?

[danishfootperil]

Potted career history: initially qualified as a lawyer, worked for a few years until DC1 arrived. Retrained as a teacher and never looked back - loved it. Moved cities a year ago, when DC3 was too little for nursery. Nursery started February, and I started doing some tutoring about six months ago, which was great but dried up at start of summer. Also started looking for a permanent teaching post, applied for a few things but told I was too expensive as too far up the pay scale! Out of desperation (and curiosity) I applied for an entry level legal position in Civil Service, ended up being offered it. Was assured at interview that it would be v flexible and family friendly, but have since discovered that there is an expectation of a lot of travel across the county, so maybe not so. Obviously good prospects ultimately, but terrible pay, and losing school holidays forever. That said, how long do I hold out for a teaching post?!

I’m so torn - any thoughts from anyone with experience of either (or both!). Thanks!

I did it the other way round.
Cushy billet in the CS. Left to become a teacher.
I had an hour commute for the CS. My school is a ten minute walk. I was earning more in the service than I do now.
It was interesting work (nationality casework and management) but it didn't fill me with passion.
I sometimes look back and think about what pay grade I'd be on now and how far up the management ladder I'd be. But I think ultimately I was always cut out for teaching. I should probably have done it sooner.

The CS is very family friendly - could you negotiate term time only working? What kind of level have you been offered? CS jobs are hard to get so congrats.

Hi, thanks for the responses! I’ve been offered SEO, so it’s entry level - and v low pay compared to my teaching scale point… I am tempted though, as I worked really hard for that interview and I’m aware of what a great opportunity it is…

SEO, is that not senior executive officer? That’s not entry level, it’s £35k minimum a year according to google. So there would be significant expectation from the post holder to deliver, and if that means travelling so be it kind of thing?

SEO isn’t entry level it’s just that civil service isn’t that well paid. SEO is fairly senior.

SEO certainly not entry level, starts around £39K.
Yes the CS is family friendly but you could be asked to travel or relocate.

Could you do supply? A foot in the door at a nice school?

Pay portability was abolished years ago in teaching, so your scale point means nothing. The school will pay what they have or what they can to get you if you have something they need, eg experienced maths teacher.

My school is replacing every UPS teacher that leaves with an NQT/ECT because it’s that or redundancies.

I’m surprised they aren’t offering you the job but saying, ‘the pay is x, do you want it?’

I would leave teaching if you have another offer.

To echo others SEO is definately npt entry level
Sliding scale is:
AA
AO
O
HEO
SEO
G7
G6
Senior civil servants

SEO is a very good level to start. I have been a HEO for 5 years trying for promotion for the last couple of years.

definitely not even.

You said an entry legal position, are you looking at something like CPS or working as a lawyer in another CS department? Whilst SEO is a fairly senior within the civil service, some specialist, professional roles like lawyers and accountants do start at a relatively high grade, so this may be why you are getting the confused responses.

I think for graduates doing policy roles, HEO is now entry level, for lawyers it is SEO.

Thanks for all the input. Regardless of the definition of entry level, the fact remains that I will be taking a big pay cut, and will lose 7 weeks a year of paid holiday (assuming I do find a school willing to employ me!) I’m working in long term supply now, so I know I can stay in teaching. The question is, is it worth all the extra travel, short term loss of income, long term loss of holiday and convenience?

To summarise, you’ve said you love teaching and you’re confident can stay in supply teaching long term. You like the holidays and your pay is good. Your other option is a civil service role in a legal role which is poorly paid, you suspect not very flexible and you will lose your holidays. Seems pretty clear cut to me.

I think CS legal roles start at G7 but maybe depts differ. Bear in mind no pay progression in CS and the hours are easily comparable with teaching. I suspect supply is by far the easiest option but probably not the same job satisfaction? I'm thinking of going the other way but I really am not sure I'm made for teaching but the holidays appeal now I have kids.