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Original poster

Finished Primary PGCE at 50 and don't want to teach

173 replies

peebles32 · 11/07/2023 22:20

I have just turned 50 and finished a PGCE in primary teaching. My placement was ok but I knew I had made a mistake and did not want to leave halfway through. It was the physical demands as well as the mental demands. I have wanted to teach all my life and never had the opportunity to do it. I was a TA years ago and the classroom has changed in the past 15 years!! The amount of SEND children not getting any support is shocking.
I am shattered. I was the oldest on my course and all the lecturers kept telling me how much they admired me and I got swept along. Even the ones in mid forties were struggling so why did I not see it myself?
I did not think about menopause, back problems and even on HRT I am struggling, but I was embarrassed to say I had made a mistake.
I just don't think I will be able to hack it so looking to go into a more pastoral role.
Anyone got any ideas on what I could possibly do? I have elderly parents and young teenagers and never really gave that thought how I would cope with them too.

My family are all so proud of me and I feel like a fraud! I need to work as we cannot manage on one salary but don't know what to do.
Everyone has all these expectations of me and I feel like I will disappoint everyone.

OP posts:
Qilin · 15/07/2023 12:47

askmeonemoretime · 15/07/2023 10:22

Teaching adults needs a different qualification. It is very different to teaching children

I taught adults with a teaching degree and qts. The only requirement was a teaching qualification and qts - there was no requirement for it to be in the adult Ed sector. That was for teaching in a prison.

askmeonemoretime · 15/07/2023 12:49

@Qilin how long ago?
New rules were brought in. But maybe prisons are different?

PresentingPercy · 15/07/2023 12:50

Private schools might not be interested in a non qualified teacher either.

Primary school bursars (in most average size primaries)!do not get £59,000! That’s more than some heads get. In small schools, many are part time, tto, which means they do get filled. Very often by women who have worked in higher paid roles in accountancy. After Dc, they want family friendly hours near home. However I have never met one without finance experience. They don’t learn on the job - who is there to teach them? The other route in is to work as a finance admin assistant in a bigger secondary and learn the job there. Then look at primary jobs. The computer programs might well be the same, eg data, finance, letting etc.

Shinyandnew1 · 15/07/2023 12:53

TwoBlueFish · 11/07/2023 22:25

Could you do supply work so you can work less hours? Or maybe look for a SENCO role or job share?

A SENCo job for someone who hasn’t completed the ECT years and has no experience teaching their own class would be insane.

Bernadinetta · 15/07/2023 13:08

Early Help coordinator?
Family support worker/ Family partner?
Education Welfare Officer?
Education admin at the council/local authority eg SEND Team Admin?

UsingChangeofName · 15/07/2023 13:39

Exactly @PresentingPercy

Runaround50 · 15/07/2023 13:52

Essentially you are a non qualified teacher, given that you haven't completed your ECT/ probationary years. If I were in your shoes, I'd get those two years completed and boxed off; then you can decide on which pathway you want to take.

Most of the suggestions on here, are not open to you because you haven't completed your Ect years.

If you really don't want to teach, what about HLTA? Not sure of the pay though?

Qilin · 15/07/2023 13:53

askmeonemoretime · 15/07/2023 12:49

@Qilin how long ago?
New rules were brought in. But maybe prisons are different?

Probably about 10 years ago now, though the adverts for prison Ed don't seem different to when I did it.

MissPop · 15/07/2023 13:55

Do anything but teaching. Anything. It’s honestly just NOT worth it.

Maireas · 15/07/2023 13:57

MissPop · 15/07/2023 13:55

Do anything but teaching. Anything. It’s honestly just NOT worth it.

It's worth it if it's for you, but if it's not for you, find something else.

Meredusoleil · 15/07/2023 14:43

Runaround50 · 15/07/2023 13:52

Essentially you are a non qualified teacher, given that you haven't completed your ECT/ probationary years. If I were in your shoes, I'd get those two years completed and boxed off; then you can decide on which pathway you want to take.

Most of the suggestions on here, are not open to you because you haven't completed your Ect years.

If you really don't want to teach, what about HLTA? Not sure of the pay though?

Agree with this. Or you could just look for a job as an unqualified teacher in supply, if pay is not important to you (as it will be less than a qualified teacher rate).

MissPop · 15/07/2023 15:24

@Maireas

Good for you for enjoying it. Someone has too. Overall though, it’s an abusive profession top down.

Maireas · 15/07/2023 15:32

MissPop · 15/07/2023 15:24

@Maireas

Good for you for enjoying it. Someone has too. Overall though, it’s an abusive profession top down.

I haven't found that, but am sorry for people who have. This is my 40th year in non selective state schools.

MissPop · 15/07/2023 15:37

@Maireas

SLT is that you?
40 years and you have zero contextual awareness about systemic issues working with education?

Right.

Maireas · 15/07/2023 15:38

MissPop · 15/07/2023 15:37

@Maireas

SLT is that you?
40 years and you have zero contextual awareness about systemic issues working with education?

Right.

Good afternoon. I never made that claim. At all. So stop with the unpleasant and unfair accusations.

MissPop · 15/07/2023 15:43

@Maireas

Maybe not, but you lack awareness. Plenty of people loved teaching but were forced out due to being too expensive etc. Bullied etc. Didn’t mean teaching wasn’t for them. It has systemic problems. The amount of ex teachers who have signed non disclosure agreements is phenomenal.

Maireas · 15/07/2023 15:46

MissPop · 15/07/2023 15:43

@Maireas

Maybe not, but you lack awareness. Plenty of people loved teaching but were forced out due to being too expensive etc. Bullied etc. Didn’t mean teaching wasn’t for them. It has systemic problems. The amount of ex teachers who have signed non disclosure agreements is phenomenal.

Ok. Don't tell me that I lack awareness. It's personal and unfair. I never said that people don't struggle, don't get bullied, don't have a shit time. I've been lucky, plus I've learned to tune out the crap. I've been a Union rep and sat through some difficult meetings. I know what goes on and I have worked hard to challenge it and support colleagues all my working life.
So stop with the judgement. Thank you.

MissPop · 15/07/2023 16:00

@Maireas

You invited it with your feigned lack of awareness. If you’ve sat through union meetings you will therefore know there are plenty of teachers who absolutely loved their jobs who were managed out for getting too old and expensive. Talented and capable individuals. Therefor, even if teaching IS for you, you really need to be going into it with your eyes open. Which of course you didn’t specify.

MissPop · 15/07/2023 16:01

Therefore

Maireas · 15/07/2023 16:03

I did not invite personal and unpleasant comments. I did not feign anything. I was referring to the OP. It's obviously not for her, that's fine. Lots of jobs I couldn't do.
I know what schools are like. What education is like. What teaching can be like for some people. You feel strongly, I get that. However, an amenable discourse is always preferable to any unfounded accusations.

Northernmumoftwoboys · 15/07/2023 16:07

I've never met an unhappy supply teacher!

Maireas · 15/07/2023 16:10

Northernmumoftwoboys · 15/07/2023 16:07

I've never met an unhappy supply teacher!

I did it at one time and found it really exhausting, although it was nice not having all the marking etc! Could get to know the kids if I had more than a day in a school, it was quite enjoyable!

MissPop · 15/07/2023 16:13

@Maireas

Didn’t exactly make that clear stating you had worked in state schools for 40 years without ever seeing any abuse top down. You then backtracked and stated you were involved in some very hard union meetings. Even if you have been lucky enough not to experience such goings on, you most certainly will still be aware to a degree. Well I should hope so anyway.

Personally I think giving people a dose of reality is the preferred approach as even if teaching IS for you, there is a risk for potential bullying etc from management, irrespective of how good at your job you are. There’s also a risk you’ll be pushed out due to ageism and not being particularly very mouldable so to speak.

Littlefish · 15/07/2023 16:17

User17865 · 11/07/2023 22:59

Teacher in a pre school setting might be easier?

As a 55 year old Early Years teacher, I would absolutely not recommend this! It's physically exhausting and you need to have the patience is a saint!

Maireas · 15/07/2023 16:19

Dear @MissPop . Let me assure you, I am very, very aware! My point was obviously terribly badly made initially, so my abject apologies for being poor at posting. so we'll leave it at that.
Have a lovely afternoon.