The real, raw reasons why I left full time teaching after nearly 2 decades (Part 1)

Teaching, like all other careers is very hush, hush.

With all the confidentiality laws in place you literally have to be so careful what you say.

One of my best friends is an amazing teacher. She literally tells me in her voice notes that she cannot divulge information because her call could be traced! And she only tells me things regarding her work when we are together, safely hidden away in my home!

The reason I share my truth is twofold.

Firstly, I want new, vibrant teachers to hear my truth. Perhaps it will help them to make decisions that could change the trajectory of their lives!

Secondly, I truly believe it is important that parents get an insight into what it is really like for the people who take care of their precious children each and every day.

When I started my career as a full time teacher at the fresh age of 25, I had no idea what I was walking into. I had studied hard my whole life, I had done everything I was told to do. I went to University and then I did my PGCE. And as soon as I finished that I landed my first job.

Terrible pay - let me tell you that first and foremost. It was at a Private School in Hampstead and I was working the most ridiculous hours but I would tell myself - ‘It will be worth it!’ Well it was not.

It was (and still is) an extended day school which basically means if you work there you might as well live there! I would get in by 7am (sometimes as early as 6:30 am) and yes others would already be there at their desks! And I would leave by 7pm. 12 hour days! I was basically earning £5 an hour if I truly calculated my pay v the amount of hours I was doing. That’s not even to tell you about all the hours I would do outside of school and at the weekends! We didn’t even get half term at this school!

I wasn’t appreciated. I wasn’t valued. But I got the school incredible results (so did the other teachers who worked there at the time). We worked hard. Too hard.

The real, raw reason I left is that I was burnt out.

As are many teachers. They simply don’t admit it.

From this private school, I went on to work at an ‘outstanding’ state school in St. John’s Wood. Well, it was far from outstanding.

I went from teaching 20 children to teaching 30 children and the difference was huge. Behaviour was horrific and there was little to no support from senior leaders. Once, a child in my Year 4 class threw a clock from the top of the stairs to the bottom of the stairs with the aim to strike me! He could have also hit another child with it. It was brushed under the carpet - the child had a hard life - he didn’t mean it.

So many things brushed under the carpet. And as a teacher you have to keep your mouth shut. If you speak, you could literally end your career.

Many, many things went down at this school. Things that I will never openly be able to speak about. Which is heartbreaking and devastating. But you can read between the lines if you wish.

Part 2 continues tomorrow.