What is primary school teaching like?

colin_shocks · 16-03-2014 07:07PM #1

I am thinking of doing the Hibernia online course for primary teaching and I am looking for some info on what it's like to be a primary teacher.

In particular I would like to know, is it difficult to get a job in primary teaching at the moment?

What is the starting salary?

Taking class prep and other responsibilities into account, how many hours would you work in the average week?

Would schools favour people who have done their degree in college (Mary I etc) over people who have done it through the online course?

Any info greatly appreciated

byhookorbycrook · 16-03-2014 08:16PM

Nigh on impossible to get long term subbing never mind a permanent job at present and not looking much better in the future.
For salary:

http://www.into.ie/ROI/InfoforTeachers/Salary/CommonBasicScales/
But that is assuming you get full time hours, again ,difficult.
Have you volunteered in the primary sector lately?
Some people have a rose tinted view of what primary teaching is, best to see first hand what it actually is before you commit to an expensive course with very few job prospects.

ShamoBuc · 17-03-2014 07:02PM

Try to do some volunteer work in a primary school - you will quickly find out whether it would be the right job or not. The amount of hours you would do would vary from day to day. The job prospects at the moment are ridiculous - they really are s poor as that.

Teaching is a fantastic job.... if you can do it....and if you can get a job - but it really isn't for everybody.

poolsandles · 17-03-2014 09:24PM

Impossible to get anything long term. You will be lucky to get day to day subbing

If you get a job I think it is around 28,000 but nobody gets jobs upon graduating anymore, you could subbing for years without a job.

About 60.

Depends on the school and the principal. Some favour the more traditional routes into teaching, but people who have done Hibernia equally get jobs also.

Employment prospects are very poor at present. However if you are willing to travel, you will have no problem getting a job in England or the Middle East. Good luck!

colin_shocks · 18-03-2014 01:33PM

Thanks for the info, didnt realise the employment opportunities were so bleak!

In terms of subbing, would you be paid per day? And how many days do people tend to get, on average? I know this will obviously vary but I'm just looking to get a general idea

byhookorbycrook · 18-03-2014 08:02PM

You get paid for the days you work, so no sick or holiday pay. As to average day worked, it would depend on here you are ,could you travel for a day's work etc. If you look at educationposts.ie you will see just how tough things are:
"Posting for luck.....nothing so far for next week."
"I'm trying to stop the rising panic. But can't help wondering when or if the phone will ring again" and so on

SamforMayo · 19-03-2014 12:16AM

If you really, really want to teach go for it but don't be going into it thinking its a short day etc, its not, nobody see the paper work, preparation , evening courses etc.

pooch90 · 20-03-2014 06:06PM

Not to mention the sheer disdain some parents will have towards you, treat you like an unpaid babysitter and gossip about you at the school gates.
(Bad few months!)

To be honest, anyone that has mentioned going into teaching to me, I have told them to run a mile.
It is not the once respected profession it was.
A lot of the kids don't respect you, the parents don't either.

In my school, I have been told I am not allowed to correct certain children because their parents won't like it.
Said children can do what they want, while other well behaved kids are held to proper standards. Why? Due to the fact the other kids' parents are scumbags who threaten and sue and the powers that be have no balls.

The expectations placed on teachers nowadays is crazy.
Give up your lunch break for yard supervision? What other job would expect that for no money?
The amount of paperwork is stupid. Croke Park hours where you can't do any prep for your actual job of teaching, pointless.

Oh, and you can only have a day off if you give up a week of your holidays to do a course. You have to pay for that too.
You can only book holidays for the most expensive times.

The kids make it feel worth it but Jesus, the rest of it can eat away at your soul.
Roll on career break!!

Bananatop · 20-03-2014 07:01PM

I qualified as a teacher 4 years ago. It took me three years to get my dip done due to lack of jobs (the dip is a probation year which must be completed once you qualify as a primary school teacher). The years where I was in and out of schools subbing were extremely difficult for the following reasons :
1. I never knew where I was going to be work wise day to day, week to week.
2. I was teaching every level at primary school at the drop of a hat (i.e. get a phone call one day at 9am to teach fifth class, next day you could be in a school twenty miles away teaching infants
3. There are no HR departments in schools, school secretary does nearly everything from looking after a child with a cut knee, to washing school jerseys, to organising the payroll. Being this busy means that the secretary is likely to forget you were ever even there, so you have to make sure you get paid for the days you've done by checking your payslip each time
4. Not knowing how much I would be earning in any given month....a biggie!
5. You have to re-introduce yourself into every school you go into. You're working, but you have no work colleagues as such, no-one to ask 'How did your weekend go?' etc

Subbing is a great way to get your foot in the door of a school, some principals are more likely to hire a sub full time than hire someone on the basis of their cv, but that's not set in stone either.

Since I've started working full time, I've loved going into work everyday. The kids are great, thankfully there isn't too much hassle from parents, they seem to be happy enough with how things are going. My working week is usually around 40 hours which includes teaching, marking, preparation, teaching and extra curricular activities. Some weeks it's more, other weeks it's less.

Downsides to teaching are the orders and circulars from on high i.e. Croke park hours, uniform surveys, numeracy/literacy surveys etc, all designed to make a certain minister look good without actually improving education in any way.

Another downside is the attitude towards the job from some people. It used to get to me more than it does now. I find that people who complain are likely to complain about anything, so I'm just as happy to leave them off with their opinions and thank god I don't have to live with them!

Bottom line is if you really think you can make a go of it, and you haven't got any dependents/financial worries(important to not have these if you're going to be subbing once you qualify), go for it!

Best of luck with your decision!

marie12 · 28-05-2014 08:17PM

i would advise against going into this profession, i love the contact time with the children but that's about it. a lot of worry and sleepless nights, a lot of politics, it is not what you think it is, the most tiring job ever (and I've had other types of jobs). to do everything right, you would have to do about an extra 2 hrs a day on average. it can be quite isolating too and teachers on the whole are quite small minded and have not really lived! i know i sound cynical but its the truth! stay away from this profession!

Midnight Sundance · 02-06-2014 08:29PM

I would definitely recommend getting some experience in schools to see if the job is for you.
People have a romanticised version if teaching in their head, but in reality it's a complete different ball game!!
I couldn't see myself in any other profession, but the way things have gone over the last few years, I wouldn't be pushing anyone in the direction of teaching either!!

Al126 · 05-06-2014 09:07PM

Hi All,

I have an interview with Hibernia College coming up soon. I also did some voluntary work in a primary school lately. To be honest I thought it was great. However, is it really that difficult to get a full time job. This new masters course in through Hibernia cost 12,400 in total for the 2 years (not including the 4 weeks u spend in the Gaeltacht). Anyway, i suppose what I am trying to say is; is it really worth it getting into primary school teaching (even if you really enjoy it) taking into considerable all the negatives. mar shampla, wages, politics, financial unstability srl. Everytime I have a conversation with some about this and i mention the salary is terrible i get the same reply "u dont go into teaching for the money". This is true but surely u need money to live and get on with life. so once again guys, is it worth the move?. I'm just kind of worried about making my life more difficult even though I really enjoy teaching

byhookorbycrook · 05-06-2014 11:27PM

I wouldn't advise anyone to go into teaching at present, to be honest.

Al126 · 05-06-2014 11:42PM

Hi byhookorbycrook,

Thanks for your honestly. However, u seem to be extremely negative about this profession which seems to be still in demand. do u care to share a few personal experiences? I assume u are working in a school currently?.

byhookorbycrook · 05-06-2014 11:54PM

I'm not negative about the profession at all, I love teaching and couldn't see myself doing anything else. How do you mean "in demand?" -as on people want to teach or there are lots of jobs? I know many fully qualified and experienced teachers who have no prospect of long term subbing, much less of getting a permanent job. There are HUNDREDS of teachers in this position and yet the colleges continue to churn out graduates.

It's your choice to commit the money and the time, but what I am saying is to think carefully as to how you would manage on part time hours or a few days subbing here and there. Could you drop everything and take subbing 60 miles away? Could you manage on a very small income?
Some recent posts from the educationposts.ie site:
"I have been booked for nothing in two weeks and I am going demented! I've never been out of work for so long. I've had two days since Easter! "
"Quiet week so far. Couple of texts but fingers not working fast enough"
"Booked for Friday. Also applying for evening work in bars."

Al126 · 06-06-2014 12:05AM

what i ment by "demand" was, alot people still want to do the course. Is unemployment very bad? I'm living in Dublin. How long are u teaching now. Yes, to be honest i would hate to pay around 14 k for the course. plus, be out of full time employment during the course for "x" period of time. I do love being in the class room. However, there seems to be advantages and disadvantages ag baint leis. i suppose do the advantages out way the disadvantages. ceist eile agam ort? are teachers forced to rent for their entire life nowdays earning this money. I'm afraid myself about the financial struggle that may or maybe face me

byhookorbycrook · 06-06-2014 04:39PM

Al126, I'm teaching a long, long time, but I see how hard it is for friends and relations and of course, past pupils. Can't say as to buying houses in Dublin, but I'd imagine you'd need something long-term ish to get loan approval.

Gilroy · 06-06-2014 10:08PM

Being a male teacher is a huge advantage. Lack of male role models.... So if your male then you will get a permanent job easy.

06-06-2014 10:35PM

Gilroy wrote: »

Being a male teacher is a huge advantage. Lack of male role models.... So if your male then you will get a permanent job easy.

Complete crap.

Gilroy · 06-06-2014 10:40PM

An Bradán Feasa wrote: »

Complete crap.

It true, the industry is 80% women, 20% men. Do the maths. This is uneven structure. In the UK they had the same issue years ago and had to in courage men into primary teaching. Just stating the facts.

06-06-2014 10:47PM

Gilroy wrote: »

It true, the industry is 80% women, 20% men. Do the maths. This is uneven structure. In the UK they had the same issue years ago and had to in courage men into primary teaching. Just stating the facts.

You're not stating any facts. More like a sweeping generalisation. Also, this isn't the UK.

marie12 · 06-06-2014 10:50PM

Gilroy wrote: »

Being a male teacher is a huge advantage. Lack of male role models.... So if your male then you will get a permanent job easy.

lack of males? yes
lack of role models? are teachers role models these days? not as much
it is nice to have a gender balance on staff tho

Gilroy · 06-06-2014 10:52PM

An Bradán Feasa wrote: »

You're not stating any facts. More like a sweeping generalisation. Also, this isn't the UK.

I really don't want to argue. This isnt the UK, all im saying is the same is happening in Ireland as it did in the UK.

Look up educationposts, youtube, read the irish independent. Facts are more women then men working in primary teaching.

spurious · 06-06-2014 11:28PM

Gilroy wrote: »

Facts are more women then men working in primary teaching.

...and this translates to it's easier to get a job if you're male?
Something has gone wrong in that argument.

07-06-2014 10:54AM

Gilroy wrote: »

I really don't want to argue. This isnt the UK, all im saying is the same is happening in Ireland as it did in the UK.

Look up educationposts, youtube, read the irish independent. Facts are more women then men working in primary teaching.

I know you don't want to argue, but when you're wrong about something it should be challenged.

I read educationposts regularly, I'm all too aware how difficult it is for ANY teacher to find work. Being male doesn't guarantee you anything. Competition is fierce for everyone.

I make it a general rule not to read the Irish Independent, I feel it is very anti-teacher. Wouldn't waste my money.

No-one's denying that more women than men are primary teachers, but that's not what you originally argued. You said it was easier for men to secure permanency by virtue of their gender. You didn't back this up. You then stated that more women than men are teachers, in an attempt to somehow link the two. While you're correct about there being more female than male teachers, it has absolutely nothing to do with your original argument.

byhookorbycrook · 07-06-2014 05:21PM

Gilroy wrote: »

Being a male teacher is a huge advantage. Lack of male role models.... So if your male then you will get a permanent job easy.

Hilarious to think this claptrap is still spouted. if you are a GOOD teacher, then that's what counts. The male thing might have been true 50 years ago when the local priest wanted the "master" to manage the parish team. But please, do continue to make baseless and misleading statements as you see fit.

What is primary school teaching like?

Comments