Pros
*Note that all points covered below are only in regards to the PRIMARY SCHOOL SCIENCE team as of time of writing, and may not be applicable to the primary school math or secondary school science team*
1. Strong training and development
The training programme is very structured and helpful, especially for those new to teaching. The first month is quite intensive, but it equips you with the basics needed for classes.
For junior teachers, there’s ongoing weekly practice and feedback for about 1.5 – 2 years, along with additional training for different topics and workshops. If you’re open to feedback and willing to put in the effort, you’ll likely see your teaching skills grow quite quickly.
There are also occasional training sessions (e.g. classroom management, voice modulation, communication with parents) even after the initial training phase.
2. Supportive colleagues
Colleagues are generally friendly and willing to help. It’s easy to ask for advice or support when needed, and the working environment is quite collaborative.
3. Management is open to feedback
Recent changes in management have led to more efforts to improve teachers’ working conditions. There are regular 1:1 sessions to gather feedback, and while not everything gets implemented, it’s good to see that management is making an effort to listen and improve.
Cons
1. Heavy workload
Workload can be quite intense, especially for junior teachers. Beyond teaching, responsibilities include lesson prep, marking, planning and filming videos, answering parents’ questions through a number of channels, and reviewing students' school materials.
For senior teachers, the workload increases further depending on the appointment. Overtime (including late nights and working on non-working days) is not uncommon, which can make the flexible working arrangement feel less impactful in practice for senior teachers (More details later).
2. Busy holiday periods (workshops)
Teachers may be assigned workshops during school and public holidays. While these are paid and teachers' preferences are considered, workload can increase significantly during these periods.
It’s possible to have long teaching days (e.g. 9am–9pm) with multiple workshops and classes, sometimes across consecutive days. Leave is generally not allowed during the longer holiday periods (March, June, November school holidays), though exceptions may occasionally be made.
3. Non-standard working hours
Working hours differ from a typical 9–6 job. Weekday classes are usually in the late afternoon and evening, and teachers are required to work at least one weekend. There may also be occasional requests to cover classes on non-working days.
The flexible work arrangement allows teachers to work from home and only report onsite 1h earlier for any meeting/training purposes or classes. While definitely a plus, its benefits depend heavily on your workload.
Overall, some of these "cons" such as unusual working hours and busy holiday schedule are just the nature of this work and not necessarily criticisms of the company. However, they are important considerations for potential employees, particularly those looking for a more predictable schedule or lighter workload.
