Leaving school and going out into the big wide world is scary ... especially when you're 31!

[fisil]

I start my first ever grown up job tomorrow. I've been in school for over a quarter of a century! So far I've managed to worry about ...

... lunch breaks (like shall I eat at my desk or go out, how long shall I take, what shall I eat, shall I bring food or buy it?)
... leave (how do I book it, how shall I organise it, how do I keep tracks of how much I've had?)
... expenses (will I remember to claim, will I be honest or will I do what teachers do and dramatically under claim?)

Oh, and many many other things!

Still, I'm excited about the new job!

I gather you have been a teacher up til now! I remember my mum saying that she didnt really grow up until she left school (ie stopped being a teacher). (Hope that doesnt annoy too many teachers)

-lunch breaks depends what facilities there are in your area, & whether you are the chatty lunch or the loner lunch type.

-your company will be even keener than you to keep a track of your leave, so they will have a system in place. if not, keep own private record.

• expenses claiming is really boring, but DONT underclaim! think of it as money from your childrens pockets!!

what is your new job?

teaching and learning consultant. I'm not exactly going all that far away from teaching!)

Congratulations on the new job! I hope you enjoy it. I am sure you will be fine with the annual leave and expenses issue - the lunch one, as nightynight says, depends on how sociable your colleagues are - maybe take sandwiches on your first day, just in case.

many congrats and hope you have a fab say xx

day too

Good luck fisil; hope it goes well. Enjoy yourself

Your list made me smile. I have been doing my first "proper" job (non school0 since easter now, and it was really wierd at first.

I found choosing when to have my lunch, tea breaks and even toilet breaks really odd - never had to do it before. Found myself not having breaks to start with, as I was waiting for the bell I guess.

And I am just getting used to the holiday thing. I have lots of holidays, and have to choose when I want them. I have a table on the computer now, and I write my holidays (those taken, those to take and those remaining) on there to keep track. And this month I have had to take a few crammed in days to use them up before 1st Septmeber - hence I am off on holiday next Wed pm and all day Thursday.

Leaving school was really strange, but I love it and it was by far the best decision I ever made

GOOD LUCK!!!

Good luck fisil ! When I went in to teaching I really missed having my own office, going to the loo when I wanted to, making a coffee as and when etc etc. You'll love it!

How did it go?

It was great. but you're right about the loo. At one point I was thinking "I need a wee, but is it too soon after last time I went to the loo, do you think it's OK to go now?" Didn't really do much, just read stuff, met with my predecessor, and rejoiced over the fact that no-one threw up on my shoulder or demanded that I take them to the potty to do a wee wee.

LOL at the toilet dilemma! I told you!

Hope the rest of your week continues so well

glad your first day went well.

learning consultant sounds interesting.

What is a learning consultant, fisil?

It's the new name for a KS3 consultant, Hercules. I'm still trying to work it all out, but basically my job seems to be to go into schools and offer help and support in improving teaching and learning in the school.

I'm really enjoying it, and have discovered some very good things about "leaving school" ...

... if I want to I could take a quick lunch break to go to the cash point during the working day

... I really can go to the loo or to get a drink of water from the water cooler (wow, a water cooler) whenever I want

... if I want to print a document I press print on my computer. I did not have to buy the printer out of my budget, and it is not my responsibility to keep it in ink or paper. There is an alternative one on my computer just in case it breaks down, but if it does ever jam, apparently it gets fixed.

... I have email access right there on my desk and voicemail on my phone (and I have direct dial), so I have more control over when I respond to people who contact me.

... if I'm working on a big task I don't have to stop to patrol the corridors once an hour (if I'm lucky enough to get more than one hour!) and no-one gets sent to me cos they've been bad.

... this afternoon I had a pile of reading about a foot high to do, so I announced I was going to take it home to do - and the admin assistant offered to help me carry it all to my car.

Wish I'd got a proper job years ago!

So glad it is going well.

My learning consultant (KS3 ICT) last year was a godsend. He was fatastic and the only reason I stuck it out so long. With no HoD and the only other memeber of department was brand new to school, he was my only port of call. he helped me plan lessons, helped me teach bad lessons, he was a rock. I have been in touch with him since leaving to see how he is (he had his 4th heart attack the afternoon after teaching my Y9 class from hell one day) and to say thanks. I'd have quite literally gone mad without him

Hope it continues so well for you

The new job sounds great! I'm so pleased it's all going well for you.

I`ve been out of teaching for 8 years (I have another thread going about this actually) so hope I dont sound too thick asking this, what is a learning consultant and Key stage 3 consultant? When I last worked in schools I dont think I came across any (unless they are a bit like advisors). Also how do you get to be one? advisors jobs use to be like gold dust. Sorry to be so out of touch and ask really basic questions.

they are a bit like advisors. My borough no longer has advisors, but if they did there would be inspectors, then advisors, then consultants. It is funded by the government to introduce the Primary and Secondary strategies. So we get the government files and some training and then we provide support and advice and help the schools to turn the initiatives into something that will be useful. It can involve demo lessons, training courses, coaching, mentoring, developing sows & resources etc. But I'm still very new to it, so I'm not sure entirely what it involves.

I came by the job relatively easily - my team has never been fully staffed, but that's because I've had to take a pay cut to come here, and do not have teachers pay and conditions!

oh wow
good for you hun
i am in the process of trying to leave school too
at 31

Hi popsy, so sorry I didn't get back to your email ages ago. I don't need to give you the excuses about 2 littlies and a job, do I? How was your return to work?

it happened....
and i have to do it all over again next frida

horrible classes this year?

year FIVE!
havent taught year 5 for 6 years

at least no SATs pressure, though!