Many teachers ask, “What else can you do?” Some ex-teachers have shared leaving teaching success stories with Thinking of Leaving Teaching about what they do now. As of October 2025, there are over 235 leaving teaching success stories from ex-teachers who got jobs ranging from Academic Developer to Youth Staff Entertainment.
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DEA and Retrofit Assessor
BACK TO MENUHi everyone,
It’s been a while since I posted. I consider this to be my exit post after a hellish time in my last teaching post which I left last May. I’ve since had counselling (for a variety of reasons not just the effect some of my roles had on me), I’ve been able to count myself fortunate that I settled my daughter into highschool, and I’ve had a complete change of career. I thought I’d share my path as it was a little unconventional (or maybe not…I don’t know 😆) But it might help someone out to read it.
When I first left I was adamant that I wouldn’t set foot in the classroom again, scared I’d have to, I’m now relieved that I won’t ever again. I thought I’d be sad, but I’m not. What’s strange is that I didn’t realise how bad I was at setting my own boundaries. I know now that teaching took that ability away from me, but it has now been given back in spades.
When I finished I had absolutely no idea what to do. I thought the only thing I could do was in a branch of education somewhere. I applied to and had two interviews with twinkl. Both really positive experiences and I was told I got really close with both. One it was down to me and another person. So after the second try I decided that maybe fate was trying to tell me something.
I got a bit desperate by November last year and made a list. The thing that came up repeatedly was data and measure. How odd for me? Data in teaching was something I did enjoy but it was always at certain points and I never really got my head around some of it, and measure…I’m rubbish with that 🤔 So I started looking at data entry clerk roles but not much out there and I was feeling uncertain. Then in Feb, I had a conversation with my husband about how scared I was not knowing what to do. He reminded me of when I was keen to become a domestic energy assessor. I did some research and it did tick my favourite boxes. Buildings and dwellings (I’m always on Rightmove), data collection and data entry.
Fast forward to now, I’m a qualified DEA and retrofit assessor. I’ve just started in this second role. It’s a huge learning curve. My brain sometimes is giddy but I love it. I pick my hours. I’m planning on 3 mornings out surveying, then afternoons at home working on the forms in the software. I get out in my car and meet people, then go home. I’m my own boss now and can pick and choose. They are desperate for more assessors. I can’t promise it’s right for everyone, but I can promise it IS possible to live without teaching. Everyone I know has commented how much more confident I now am.
I hope this helps anyone who is confused or scared by the next move. Best of luck to everyone, whether you decide to stay or go 😊
Update
This week I finally feel like I’m getting to grips with it and yesterday was the first time I didn’t feel nervous going to a survey. Out of respect for the rules I won’t post links. But I can share my path without them. It’s all pretty straight forward to find. I started out by qualifying as a domestic energy assessor. The course was a three day intense course, then 2-3 months carrying out tasks and a live survey with some waiting in between. I had planned on carrying out EPCs for a while but the market is absolutely saturated so I made the quick decision to go straight to retrofit. A one day pre recorded course later and I signed up with a panel offering RA’s and that’s it in a nutshell. Happy to answer any questions 😊
Adult education admissions
BACK TO MENUAfter being in this group a while, I am pleased to say I have finally moved on from teaching and I am currently loving my new role within Adult education admissions with my local council.
Thank you to everyone who has posted in the group as the information here has been invaluable and I owe my new role to you all.
Good luck to anyone else looking to leave the teaching profession and also to those who are still in it 💜
Senior Partnerships Manager
BACK TO MENUAfter returning to work after mat leave in Jan and experiencing a very toxic, frankly gaslighting environment, and getting rejected from a civil service role, I am SO excited to say that I have handed my notice in and my job is officially on TES after accepting another job out of the classroom!
I just wanted to say thank you to Craig for setting up this group and for the continual support and solidarity to everyone; the support is incredible and I know that, without this group, I wouldn’t be in the situation I’m now (thankfully) in!
I know people post all the time about ways to get out-and others post and ask for advice but I thought I’d give back in the hopes that this might inspire and help others. So feel free to read on or ignore 😊
The biggest tips/advice I can give based off my own personal experience is:
1. INVEST in YOU and your future. I hired a career coach and it was the best use of money I’ve spent. I used sessions to identify what I wanted from a job; what my ‘non-negotiables’ were; exploring my skills and careers that would fit; and, of course, interview prep. It was priceless.
2. Read all of the advice on Craig’s website and just spend some time reading posts on the group based on what you need.
3. Take a break. It got to the point where job-hunting was consuming me and, in the words of my husband, “the stress of your job has been replaced with looking for a job!”. It was when I wasn’t really looking that I came across my new job.
4. Network! Contact employers, agencies, anyone with an email address at the bottom of an advert and enquire. I built a really great rapport with my (soon-to-be) line manager prior to my interview as a result. Equally, I was able to have conversations to ascertain whether certain jobs were feasible for me to apply/spend my time on.
5. Be realistic and accepting of the fact that you’re more than likely not going to get your ‘perfect’ job with ALL of your non-negotiables. Basically, be flexible and consider what positives you’re gaining by leaving the profession.
6. Remember to speak to colleagues and remind yourself why you’re leaving. I definitely have had moments of ‘oh gosh, am I doing the right thing?!”…and then I speak to colleagues and those moments are quickly dispelled!
If you’re interested, my new job is Senior Partnerships Manager. Whilst I’m taking a BIG salary drop (over £15K), the benefits totally outweigh the loss in salary:
-I still get school holidays off.
-they’ve agreed to me working 4 days a week so I still have time with my little one during term-time.
-one hour a week for ‘mental wellbeing’; I can do whatever I want in this time.
-A great pension scheme.
-Annual bonuses.
-WFH and being in control of my own time/schedule.
So, in summary, don’t close off opportunities or think ‘that’s not for me’. I NEVER thought I’d be going in to a sales-based role and yet, here I am…counting down the days until I start and until I can begin my new life!
Civil Service
BACK TO MENUI wanted to post in order to possibly support if you are in a dilemma.
This time last year I realised that there was no way my employers were willing to support my recovery from WRS as my union guy told me that they had asked to open a protected conversation – on the first day of the Spring term.
Being unwell still (my first GP appointment was only mid Nov 23) I was sent into a spin not knowing what to do. I was struggling to get out of bed each day and believed I was worthless.
Over the following months I slowly got better and came to a settlement. I got a job in the CS at AO level – I didn’t dare try for anything higher due to feeling inadequate.
Despite all of this I am now well and working on putting the last bit of negatively out of my mind. I still feel cheated out of my wonderful career because those who should have supported, didn’t.
This morning I woke up in a cottage in the Lake District after spending the weekend away. I should have been at work this morning but I’ve built enough flexi time so off. I’m on the way home and the only thing I have to do to prepare for tomorrow is get my desk ready for my work from home. I will turn the laptop on at the time I start being paid – that will be whatever time I fancy when I wake up!
So my reason for sharing is, one year on I am in a much better place and life outside of education is good. I am grateful for the life I have and just have to process the injustice feelings, to be completely free.
If you want out you can do it. There is life after teaching.
Exams Officer
BACK TO MENUI’ve just finished my first term in my new role 🙌🏻
I taught in primary for 22 years, eventually making it to deputy. However with an hour and a bit commute to work and behaviour and attitudes getting worse, I’d had enough.
I struggled for a couple of years to find something I was happy with but then went for a job as an Exams Officer in a local secondary school. No experience in secondary or of exams. Started completely afresh. And I’m loving it so far!
No parents evenings or duties or late night discos or pointless staff meetings any more. Kept the holidays, lessened the stress, shorter hours and hardly any difference in pay, especially with my fuel decrease.
So, I’m out but still in! 🤣
I’m basically responsible for all exams (internal and external) across the school. Manage a team of invigilators and plan all the exam timetables. I know the exam season can be stressful but I’ve not get there yet. Tend to work 8-4 but flexible with that. I can offset extra hours with days off during the quieter times.
Senior Admin in a hospital
BACK TO MENUWell guys I did it ! In a few weeks I’m starting as a senior admin in a hospital working in the oncology department ❤️ taken a big pay cut but I think it will be worth it . Thank you everyone for all your advice and support x
Private Tutor
BACK TO MENUGood news story update : This time last year I was in pieces. After a nasty ‘accident’ at my independent special school I had been off since May half term and was due to go back at the beginning of the year. I had gone in for the Inset on the last day of the summer term and it had been quite distressing but I hadn’t realised how much until the idea of returning broke me. My doctor put me on pills and signed me off again. I finally started to feel a bit better by the end of November. Needing closure my amazing union rep negotiated me an out and the school agreed to pay me til the end of the year. Not feeling able to face ever going into a school again I got some private tuition through an agency and in January set myself up as a private tutor. I did a mix of private lessons, agency 121 s and was lucky enough to work directly with an independent special school helping with students who couldn’t attend. That got me through to the end of the year and with a little tweaking of finance I funded my summer break. Not enough for a holiday but I didn’t need to get a job in Asda either. I was anxious for September as I hadn’t more than 3 students carried over from last year. I’ve had so many tutoring enquiries in the last few weeks I’m nearly going to be able to replicate my admittedly poor previous salary from private students alone. I’ll still get agency work as private students are always precarious and they finish in June, but it really is working out. I’ve always wanted to do this but would never have had the courage to drop a secure salary for such an unknown. It helped starting from a low salary as it was easier to replicate but im hoping to make more this year. To all of you dreading going back this year, just consider this as an option it’s really worth it and for the first time in years I can honestly say I’m looking forward to the new school year and I love my job 😄
Member of Parliament
BACK TO MENUEx-teacher and ex-colleague of mine, Dave Robertson, was a physics teacher who was also a NASUWT representative before leaving teaching. He went on to work as a councillor.
In the July 4th 2024 UK election he ended Sir Michael Fabricant’s 27-year stint as a Conservative MP by becoming the new Labour MP for Lichfield, Burntwood and surrounding villages.
Local Authority – Children’s Services
BACK TO MENUI left teaching earlier this year without a plan after a really bad experience and have just completed my first 6 weeks working for local authority children’s services in an admin type role.
Wasn’t sure at first but getting used to the differences and benefits. Agile working, slower pace, much less stress. Today one of my managers commented that the three non-social workers of the team were all fab and said “how did we get so lucky?”
We are all ex-teachers.
The work I’m doing as a full time job feels less onerous than the extra admin outside of class contact time I did as a teacher. Our transferable skills are endless and organisational skills second to none.
If anyone is thinking of making the jump and unsure of what to do next – have faith. My salary is considerably lower but take home pay isn’t that much less considering I don’t have a commute, have to pay dog walkers, other bits that add up like takeaways because you are too tired to cook. I’ve even lost nearly a stone and booked a term time holiday to Tenerife in November to celebrate.
I used a lot of the resources on here and the website to create my CV so big thank you to Craig.
Data Manager
BACK TO MENUJust got offered a role with the CS as a Data Manager. Followed this site for just under a year and its made all the difference to how I approached job hunting once I decided to leave teaching back in September. A huge thank you Craig and all the wonderful posters who shared tips.
When I asked what their background was and what training they had to do, they replied:
Science teacher for 15 years but did do some data auditing before that. Signed up for an 8 week data management course and applied for the role 3 weeks in. To be honest doing the course made me realise just how many transferrable skills we have as teachers; data entry, data integrity, visualisation and maintaining accurate records. The list goes on…
There are loads of courses online just type in data manager courses and you will see some really good ones on Udemy. The course provider did not assist with roles, I wanted to work in the CS so just searched up Data roles on the CS website.
Utilities Industry
BACK TO MENUEvening all, I thought I would share my story before I start my new job, which is not in education.
I have been a teacher ever since I left university, working my way up to HOD and SLT very quickly. During my 10 years as a teacher, I have battled some terrible things, the worst a teacher can have happen to them, this led me down the path of depression, anxiety and PTSD. I also have realised in hindsight that I have not been happy as a teacher for many years. Whilst I am still dealing with my mental health and the support from the crisis team and community team has been amazing, I am so proud to say that I have got a job out of teaching.
It took a lot of work, researching and upskilling but I found the perfect role for me in the utilities industry. I came out of the interview, so proud I managed to get to it, and then I got the phone call…saying they think I would be bored doing it, so they offered me the position above! So I am on the same salary, but the bottom of a pay scale rather than the top, and my work life balance is going to be much better.
My advice is two fold I suppose…..
1) Mental health is so important and you can be helped, you deserve to be helped. The support you can get is amazing, especially 111, Crisis team, CMHT and if you’re a man, then Andy’s Man Club.2) We, as teachers, have so many skills and attributes that jobs are crying out for. Definitely use the STAR technique in interviews, update your CV and don’t be afraid to take a punt on a role!
To everyone who is seriously thinking about leaving teaching, you can do it. It might take a while, it might happen quickly but you can do it.
EdTech Account Manager
BACK TO MENUPositive Post – my “exit story” (and one year anniversary): 😊😊
After experiencing many of the challenges that are all too common in education sadly, I found my “happy place” almost exactly one year ago.
I’d done the usual (a bit of supply work, whilst job searching, getting knock backs etc).
I saw an account management post for an EdTech company I’d known from school (and who has impressed me as a “customer”). So, I applied 100% on a whim, genuinely not expecting to get anywhere (because I had zero experience in this field). To my surprise, they contacted me and I got the job (after an interview that was more of a chat about life and what I wanted from it!) 😊
To my surprise, it turns out they LOVE former teachers, because we can empathise with the schools and school staff we train, we can plan and organise our time and workload well and because we are all highly skilled at building strong relationships.
Anyway…I ❤️ this job! I ❤️ the culture, the people, that I work from home mostly, that when I go into the office it’s themed as an actual circus(!!). I ❤️ the work (supporting school staff and training), the perks (every 2nd Friday afternoon we finish at 12:30 but are paid full time, medical cover, additional holiday over Christmas when the whole company shuts down for 2 weeks+, flexible hours which allow me to drop off and pick up from school etc).
My advice to anyone who thinks “I have no experience or relevant skills” in a particular new area? Go for it! These companies value us, want to respect and support us…all the things I’d been lacking in education for so long. We have soooo much to offer and we deserve a fulfilling and happy workplace, where work ends when the laptop is switched off!
Do it ..it’s the best decision I made for ages! ❤️
PS – next week, I’m watching my youngest in her school performance during my work hours. This was zero hassle…I will just work my hours around this. I’m trusted to do so, encouraged to put family first. I’ve been able to do this loads of times even in my one year in this new role. They know what many schools have forgotten…that a respected and valued colleague is a happy and productive colleague.
Project Manager for Exams
BACK TO MENUI was a secondary school English teacher for 18 years and thought that was all I could be. However, a local exam board saw my CV on CV Library and approached me about a role in the production of exam papers. 2 years later, and I still love my job! I’m basically a project manager of exam papers. I don’t write them myself, I manage the process of production for them, doing some proofreading and formatting as well. I was on UPS3 in the North East and took a £500 per month pay cut from teaching, but it’s worth it to have my evenings and weekends back.
Local Council Job
BACK TO MENUI have an interview for a local council post tomorrow. First non-teaching interview in 20 years. I know I’ll be asked why I wish to leave teaching. I want to be honest. I am looking for a better work/life balance to improve my physical and mental health. How do I say this without implying both are bad!
I replied with a link to the Reasons for Leaving Teaching page.
They replied, “I got the job. They didn’t even ask why I was leaving teaching. There were just 6 set questions all candidates were asked. I really over thought it.”
Childcare Temporary Staff Agency
BACK TO MENUHi, I wanted to share my story in case it helps someone else. I have been on sick leave for a few months and decided that teaching isn’t for me anymore. The workload is unmanageable and the hours are too long. I felt that my health was suffering and didn’t have time for my own children.
I have found a new job working for a childcare temporary staff agency. I will be placing staff and doing the admin. It’s 9-5 and close to home. I got the job as I have education/childcare qualifications and experience. It was important for me to find something that was less stressful and I could forget about once I left for the day.
Good luck to everyone who is looking for work.