As the current round of teacher strikes sweep across the UK, mainstream news publications are reporting a mass exodus from the profession in the next five years. Our thoughts go out to the families and individuals struggling with pay and conditions whilst playing a vital role in the development and wellbeing of the nation’s children.

In a recent poll, 44% of teachers said that they would be leaving the profession in the next five years. Most cited unmanageable workloads, stress, and levels of trust in teachers from the public as key factors.

To gain further insight into the current crisis, we spend some time with one of our wonderful franchisees Victoria Hampshire, Owner of Turtle Tots Cornwall. We discuss the impact teaching has had, and continues to have on her family and her career.

Victoria is uniquely placed to offer her viewpoint. Now living in a relatively small Cornish community, Victoria was a primary school teacher in a busy Exeter primary school until six years ago. Her husband remains in the sector as a deputy head teacher and year 6 teacher.

Victoria decided to leave the profession she once adored due to the conditions that she found herself working under after having her first child.

She says, “I found it incredibly hard going back to teaching after maternity leave. The expectations around workload that I had once accepted were now eating into the precious family time. Instead of spending time teaching children in the classroom, I found myself spending more and more time on administration. Teaching became hectic, stressful and unpleasant at times. There was never enough staff, never enough resources, never enough money.”

A colleague of Victoria’s had left her teaching position at the same school and started a new career as a Turtle Tots franchisee. After three months, she and Victoria had a conversation that would become the catalyst for a huge change. She quit her job, packed up the family home and moved further west for a new life closer to the sea, becoming a new Turtle Tots franchisee.

“I knew that I was a good teacher and I wanted to do something worthwhile. I still wanted to use the skills I had developed throughout my career but with a greater sense of ownership over my own time. Becoming a franchisee, and teaching babies and toddlers to swim allowed me to do just that. Spending time in the pool with the children and their parents is wonderful. No matter how I develop my business in the future, I will always spend time teaching. The best part is being able to work with parents at a time when they may be feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed. I help them relax and enjoy valuable time with their child. It is incredibly satisfying.”

Becoming a Turtle Tots franchisee is fun, flexible, and rewarding. It enables you to teach children and essential life-saving skill and share special bonding time with families. Franchisees enjoy a better work-life balance. They choose their own goals and guidelines for their business that work around their family commitments.

“Now that I am a Turtle Tots franchisee, I can set my own agenda and really enjoy the work that I do. I can grow my business, still do the school run, attend school plays, and cheer my child on at sports day. What’s more, there’s NO MORE MARKING!” says Victoria.

If you, or someone you know, has left or is considering leaving the teaching profession, there are new career opportunities at Turtle Tots all across the UK, Ireland and potentially further afield.

We are always on the lookout for talented baby & toddler swimming teachers, administrators and franchisees to join our growing network. Full support is provided by our amazing head office squad and our community of over 50 franchisees. We provide you with a clear vision, the tools, expertise and training that you will need to have a successful and enjoyable career.

For more information about our baby & toddler swimming teacher opportunities please get in touch with your local Turtle Tots office.

For more information about becoming a Turtle Tots franchisee CLICK HERE.