From Full-Time Primary school Teacher to Finding Balance: Gemma’s Rascals Journey

For many primary school teachers, the job starts as a passion.

A love of working with children.

A desire to make a difference.

A career that feels meaningful.

But over time, for some, that passion becomes harder to hold onto.

The workload increases.

The pressure builds.

And switching off becomes almost impossible.

This was exactly how Gemma felt.

A Teacher Who Loved Teaching… But Something Had to Change

Gemma was a full-time primary school teacher with a background in dance and musical theatre. Performing arts had always been a huge part of her life, something she loved just as much as teaching.

But like so many teachers, she found herself caught in the reality of the role. “It’s so hard… the workload is ridiculous.” She didn’t fall out of love with teaching.

She fell out of love with what it had become.

The Moment Everything Shifted

Alongside the pressures of work, there was something else weighing on her.

Her daughter. Like many working parents, Gemma began to feel that life was full but not balanced. “Life is too short… I wanted to be there more for my daughter.”

That realisation changed everything. It wasn’t just about work anymore. It was about time and how she was spending it.

Taking the Leap (Even When It Felt Scary)

Gemma made the decision to go part-time in her teaching role.

A big step. And not one without fear.

Like most teachers considering a change, she had doubts:

• Would it work financially?

• Could she actually do something different?

• Where would she even start?

  
  

“I wouldn’t know what to do… I don’t know anything about marketing.” But despite those fears, she knew one thing for certain: Staying exactly where she was didn’t feel like the right option either.

Discovering Rascals

Gemma’s background in performing arts made the idea of running children’s classes feel like a natural fit. Through Rascals, she launched her own performing arts classes in Billericay alongside her part-time teaching role.

What made the difference? She wasn’t starting from scratch. Everything she needed was already there:

• Structured session plans

• Music and choreography

• A clear format for classes

• Training and ongoing support

“You’re not just left to figure it out on your own.”

Building Something Alongside Teaching

One of the biggest misconceptions is that making a change like this means leaving teaching entirely. That wasn’t the case for Gemma.

She reduced her hours…Started running Rascals classes… And built things gradually.

No huge leap. No overnight risk. Just a step-by-step transition.

What Life Looks Like Now

Today, Gemma runs Rascals Billericay alongside her part-time teaching role. But the biggest difference isn’t just what she does. It’s how she feels.

“Definitely not stressed… I’m more relaxed, I’m happier.”

She now:

• Walks her daughter to school

• Picks her up

• Has time for herself

  
  

And something she didn’t expect? “I actually enjoy my teaching job more now I’m there less.”

A Different Way of Using the Same Skills

Gemma’s story isn’t about leaving teaching behind. It’s about finding a different way to use the same skills:

• Working with children

• Leading a class

• Bringing energy and creativity

For teachers with a background or passion in performing arts, it can feel like a natural extension of what they already love.

Could This Be an Option for You?

If you’re a primary school teacher (or teaching assistant) who:

• Feels overwhelmed by workload

• Wants more balance

• Misses the creative side of working with children

• Or simply feels like there might be something more…

Then it might be worth exploring what Gemma did.

Start With a Conversation

You don’t need to have it all figured out. You don’t need to make a big decision today. But if you’re curious, the first step is simple:

Start a conversation. Whether it’s a question, a thought, or just a feeling that something needs to change, that’s where it begins.

If you’d like to find out more about how Rascals works, or explore whether it could be an option for you, you can get in touch here www.rascals-uk.com/franchise

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