I have experienced both school and FE colleges and I don’t see either one as being harder. The teaching in schools is more intense, but colleges certainly have longer hours and are less productive due to the abuse of teachers’ time by management.

When I started in college I was prepared for longer days and fewer holidays. What I wasn’t prepared for was the “management”. I cannot imagine any headteacher supporting cuts in teacher pay and holidays.

I suppose the life of a schoolteacher has to be easier knowing that the average head is generally more appreciative than the average college principal.

donnynorm, from the FE Focus forum.