Teachers leaving the profession

my son burnt out at 35, he narrowly avoided a mental breakdown by changing jobs, now at 42 he works in an education related job, he c/would not ever return to teaching, teaching is a reflection of what is going on in society at large, basically out of control.........

For me, it was not anything to do with pupil behaviour which drove me out of teaching. It was the ridiculous workload. Any good teacher can manage student behaviour. It’s part of the job. But SLT, government and Ofsted requirements turned the job into a 70 or 80 hour a week job. Lesson plans to be turned in weekly, additional meetings, extra before school, breaktime, lunchtime, after school duties, hours upon hours of planning and marking, extra before/after school revision sessions, detention requirements. The job is simply incompatible with having any sort of life outside work.

I retired from teaching 10 years ago after 40 years at the chalk face. It wasn’t the behaviour pupils ty made the job so hard . It was management and the petty backbiting of staff who had no skill or flair for the job. Also, I have to say too, the ‘bright young things’ with a degree in dance trying to get to grips with teaching maths or English grammar in primary classes and failing miserably. I was told by the head of the school where I worked for nearly 20 years that she could get TWO such teachers for what she was paying me. As the saying goes … “ You pay peanuts … “ As many schools gain academy status, making them businesses, so the quality of teaching diminishes through poor quality or even unqualified staff - all to save money. It’s not a profession or a calling anymore. It hasn’t been for some time. Also, what teachers are asked to teach under the guise of PSHE etc .is not what should be part of the curriculum. I don’t think, in all conscience, I could have dealt with some of these issues with young children. My granddaughter, at 12, chose ,and was granted the choice, to opt out of these lessons. Teachers can’t opt out - unless, in many cases , they opt out of the profession.

Good on you, tictacnana More teachers like you are needed and good for you for highlighting some of the issues!

I remember being on a cruise with a bunch of stuffy Brits. Everyone said what they did for a living and I mentioned that I was a university lecturer.

"Ah yes, some people do and others teach" One of them said sarcastically.

"That sounds like something you pulled our of a cheap cracker from the garage shop" I told him.

Everyone laughed and the joke was on him. You should have seen his face. We Liverpudlians are great at sharp one liners.

Oh. Was that supposed to be funny?

One of my DS spends a huge amount to send both his DC to independent schools where they are happy and do well. DGS will be a prefect this year.

DS himself was badly bullied at his state high school which at that time was the biggest school in Scotland. Even the teachers bullied him!

He was able to move to a smaller state school in Edinburgh where he thrived and went on to university etc.

I always wanted my DC to go to the local school and be part of the community, warts and all, but when they are unhappy you sometimes have to sacrifice your principles and we were prepared to do that if we had to.
A large proportion of the pupils at the DGC independent school are Asian and expected, even pressured, to do well academically.

I agree Grammaretto. It's very noticeable that all the prizewinners and winners of scholarships at DGS's school are Asian. Many Chinese children. Some are very talented musicians as well as highly academic. I suspect great expectations of them at home. All polite and respectful. Teachers must love them!

Aveline

I agree Grammaretto. It's very noticeable that all the prizewinners and winners of scholarships at DGS's school are Asian. Many Chinese children. Some are very talented musicians as well as highly academic. I suspect great expectations of them at home. All polite and respectful. Teachers must love them!

Truly Aveline
He recently achieved 97% in a maths exam and didn't come top.

97% and still not top??? Blimey!

I’m very impressed with your DGS’s maths score Grammaretto. I hope he enjoyed sufficient praise, even if he wasn’t top.

The parents of Asian, Chinese or the occasional Russian children we get or used to get, are certainly supportive of school discipline and their children’s education.
On the other hand, they often, in my experience, refuse to pay the “voluntary contribution” to school trips or to the cost of visitors coming into school to give demonstrations or offer experiences.

Maybe looked upon as recreational rather than educational ?What a shame to miss out on those enriching experiences.

I taught in few primary schools after college which was OK but not really me and I was lucky enough to work in school TV which involved visiting different schools and other places for various activities. It meant long hours and involved total concentration behind the camera but was really interesting. I didn't regret giving up teaching at all!

Aveline, you can’t stop them, or any other child going or attending as long as sufficient parents have paid, or the PTA have agreed to meet the shortfall.
They’re always very complimentary on our FB page, about how great the trip was, how much their child enjoyed talking to Tim Peake, or how good the visitor bringing Roman artefacts and activities was.

But I suspect you’re right about the “recreational”

The wages are not terrible. £30,000.00 at 21 ain't bad at all

My DD is a teacher in a primary school. Her main problems are kids with severe special needs. There is often no funding for a TA to help these children like there used to be. She's had one child a couple of years ago who physically injured every TA they employed (some needed hospital treatment) and after 8 agency TAs there was nobody who wanted to work with this child. She is now in a special school which was only funded after the girl left primary at the end of year 6.
Trying to teach 30 children with little or no support for the 4 or 5 in the class with special needs is a nightmare.
This is one of the main reasons teachers are leaving.

mabon1

The wages are not terrible. £30,000.00 at 21 ain't bad at all

Three years-worth of student debt, plus, for most, a self-funded fourth year if doing a PGCE. Some do a year's qualification in school, which is great if the school is supportive and the mentor is good. Schools vary! I think they're paid non-qualified teacher pay which is less than minimum wage and very hard work (not just teaching all the time, but putting together files of evidence, that are needed to satisfy examiners). And of course nearly a third have dropped out after 5yrs.
So the youngest would be 22, most are older.
(The figures show that in 2021/22, a quarter of teachers (23.9%) had quit after three years at the chalkface. After five years, almost a third (31.3%) had walked away.)

I taught for many year in what was then called a ‘sink’ school. No one wanted their child to go there. Poor area, .The staff were amazing. Friendly and extremely supportive of each other. The children too, many often difficult, tried their best, and many were very lovable. The downside was…. the parents. Feckless, uninterested and often coarse. Most of those children didn’t stand a chance

I read what people are saying about the lack of TAs and feel for the schools that do not have them, but it must be certain areas, because all our local schools have TAs and SEND TAs in KS1 and at least SEND TAs in KS2, often more than one per class because of the increasing number of children with EHCPs.
Regarding pay for Early Career Teachers (used to be probationary year teachers)
As an ECT, you'll most likely start your career at M1, which means your salary will be between £31,650 and £38,766 depending on whether you're in or near London, going by the 5.5% figure announced for the 2024-25 academic year

There are good schools and good parents there are ways of getting the best for your children if you have time or money.

My youngest daughter didnt want a private school for her 4 children, so she paid for extra tuition for the 11+ to grammar school then paid again for GCSE tuition, it worked, the eldest daughter got top grades last week, she aims to be a vet

Having good parents is a big advantage

David49

There are good schools and good parents there are ways of getting the best for your children if you have time or money.

My youngest daughter didnt want a private school for her 4 children, so she paid for extra tuition for the 11+ to grammar school then paid again for GCSE tuition, it worked, the eldest daughter got top grades last week, she aims to be a vet

Having good parents is a big advantage

Especially ones who can afford to move to an area with good schools.

I worked as a private tutor for about 10 years. Nearly all my students lived in amazing houses and their parents had high-powered jobs. I used to feel quite guilty that I just couldn't afford to work "pro bono".

Having good parents is a big advantage

It is indeed, and having rich parents confers more advantage still. Good parents come in all income brackets.

biglouis

I remember being on a cruise with a bunch of stuffy Brits. Everyone said what they did for a living and I mentioned that I was a university lecturer.

"Ah yes, some people do and others teach" One of them said sarcastically.

"That sounds like something you pulled our of a cheap cracker from the garage shop" I told him.

Everyone laughed and the joke was on him. You should have seen his face. We Liverpudlians are great at sharp one liners.

How clever of you.

Really?

My graduate DGN left teaching after about ten years for a high powered job in IT, more money, travel, expenses, interesting tasks and co-workers. She enjoyed teaching but found many aspects (yes, most of those mentioned above) stressful and unrewarding.