Supply or Permanant

[Eliz4beth]

Hi everyone,
I've just joined the site... an excellent facility!

Need help deciding what to do with my career. I'm now in my 3rd year of teaching in a full time & permanant position as a primary teacher.

I loved the job at first and was really enthusiastc about working! Now in my 3rd year I've realised there's more to life than spending countless hours and weekends planning, assessing, sitting in meetings, tracking etc etc! I've been thinking about doing supply now for a few months but haven't yet decided if it's the right decision as I'm scared I won't get enough work to pay bills, mortgage etc. But all I know is I can't carry on the way I am now as it's making me miserable. I love the teaching part, it's the paperwork I have a problem with and I feel I don't have enough time to enjoy life and live it too the max!

Any suggestions or anyone who can sympahise would be gratefully received!
Thanks

To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

[clarabelle]

I can really reccommend supply work, especially if you can get a termly contract or something with a school, or cover PPA time etc. I am thinking the opposite at the moment. There's a school that I'm doing a two term contract with and I love it. I think I'm going to approach the head about any vacancies coming up as I don't think he knows that I'm interested in a permanent position. It's so confusing!!!!

[NuttySupplier]

Hello!

Reading this below, please bear in mind that I'm supply by choice, and hate full-time class-based teaching... However...

I'd say try a mixture of both... can you perhaps change your contract at school to part-time, or full-time but not class based as much? Teach one day of PPA or something? One day SENCO work? Or can you afford to take two afternoons off and live off 0.8? A full-time perm. position (although I love supply!) is becoming more and more rare, and I'd say give it up as a last resort... I gave one up for relocating, but wish I hadn't had to. I actually gave up teaching for a few years.

I don't know if that makes sense, my tea's ready, and my stomach's grumbling... off I go!

[skiteacher]

I would also exercise caution in leaving a contracted post. The job market is not great, I had to leave a contracted post and it then took nearly 2 years to get a job. Supply does also have it's difficulties, not guaranteed work, no pay during holidays, the worry and stress of that, not always knowing where you are going to be. How supply works in terms of whether it's agency or direct to the LEA / school varies across the country and that will vary how much you earn and how you get work.
I totally know what you mean about full time contracted posts taking up so much time and energy, I am very aware of the difference in time I had when I was on supply to now, but when I was on supply I didn't have the money to do anything in the time I had free and I was still stressed - maybe not as much and for different reasons but it was still there! It does depend on your personality, reasons for doing it and life circumstances.
i like Nutty's
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
of reducing your hours / changing your contract rather than jacking it all in. Would also give you more of a chance to reflect on what you really want.
I know I want to be in a contracted position, but I am working on my own time management and organisation as i am really bad about taking time off. I also know that I don't intend on being in a class based role all of my career so there will be a time when it is different.

[Eliz4beth]

Thanks everyone, some good
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
s... will take on board and think things through!