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Anyone teacher training or a teacher? Need advice on starting out.
I have been looking into teacher training (Primary) but I need some advice as I really don't know where to start.
I have a degree, but it's in media, so I believe I couldn't do a postgraduate teacher training course to become a qualified teacher because of the subject of my degree. Is that correct?
I am willing to start over and do the years it takes to become a teacher, because this is what I want to do in life. It's just unfortunate it took me a while to realise it. I know I'm too late to apply for this year, and I still have volunteer work to do.
I would appreciate any help and PMs would be much better so I can talk about it in more detail
Thanks!
I have a degree, but it's in media, so I believe I couldn't do a postgraduate teacher training course to become a qualified teacher because of the subject of my degree. Is that correct?
I am willing to start over and do the years it takes to become a teacher, because this is what I want to do in life. It's just unfortunate it took me a while to realise it. I know I'm too late to apply for this year, and I still have volunteer work to do.
I would appreciate any help and PMs would be much better so I can talk about it in more detail
Thanks!
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I'm not sure whether a degree in media would allow you to complete the PGCE. Someone else might be able to help you with that! You can train to be a teacher in 3 years on an undergraduate course. Feel free to PM me if you want any further advice/ information!
Hope it is some help to you.
You will firstly need to gain at least grade C in Science, Maths and English. If going onto A Levels, I would try and do one of these subjects since their core ones and then whatever else you fancy.
I went to Uni and did a three year 'Education' degree but didn't intend on going into teaching until the final year. My degree had no school placements - was all just theory!
You could do a 4 Year degree which does have school placements - lots of people do this. Or you could do any three year degree and then do the postgraduate teacher training - a PGCE (which is what I did at a different uni.) Either way, it still takes four years.
I've gone from full time work to now doing supply so I teach anything from Nursery to Year 6 - very interesting. This is my third year of teaching and I still enjoy it very much.
The most important thing I have learnt is that the job runs like a business. You will have targets to meet and expected to produce results. Assessment is a big thing in teaching - collecting data or evidence (e.g. marking books), analysing it and using it actively. You are there to teach them and you will be held solely accountable if they do not make progress - very stressful! The hard work starts at 3.30pm when the kids leave each day.
Because you are still young and have plenty of time left, I would suggest try doing some volunteer work in a school. I did this and as well as being good experience into learning more about teaching, it looks good on your CV.
It says on the tda.gov site
"If you want to teach at primary level, a training provider will consider how relevant your degree is. Additional subject training can be taken if necessary."
If anyone has been through the same, any advice on what the additional training is would be great.
I looked at the subject knowledge enhancement courses but these all appear to be for secondary teaching, so I'm not sure if its a different type of subject training for primary..
I found all of the PGCE info I needed last summer, emailed local primary schools asking if they were looking for TA's (or if I could even come in voluntarily), and was given a full time job as a TA at the end of September.
I hated it, though. Def don't want to be a teacher!
Good luck!
Overall I would agree with everyone else's advice, definitely work in a school for a while first. It's not for everyone, so hopefully that would help you decide whether teaching is for you! Good luck!
Think about which age ranges you'd like to teach. Foundation stages require very little planning but lots of resources (plus additional stress put out by the Government, who state children MUST be at a certain level by the end of the year). The children effectively need 'trained' to adapt to school life - behaviour, learning, quiet time, sharing, making friends.
Key Stage Two children are more independent, so require more planning, more marking but less preparation. You also get the attitudes starting to develop - personally I enjoy battling the attitudes.
The Post Grad course is VERY tiring and hard work. You're in Uni 9-5, with a heavy uni work load. You're trained there (in half a year) to teach the entire curriculum, or techniques to help you teach the curriculum. The rest of the time is spent in schools, observing teachers, children, school life and finally teaching. With the teaching you have to plan, assess, monitor, mark - basically what a teacher does but with Uni work on top of you. I was going to bed around 1am and getting up around 6.30am (with Uni I got a lie in till 7.30!) It was literally the year from hell for me, and I'd never do it again.
I'm struggling to find a permanent job at the moment - although supply work is coming in thick and fast for me (which is good experience - I am 're-capping' on my training.) Primary courses are very competitive to get on, and then the jobs are even more competitive. The area I'm in at the moment has on average 100 applicants for one job - so I'm looking all over the country for a job.
This post sounds really depressing - teaching is a rewarding career, it's just bloody difficult! If you want any more information pm me.
The duration determined by each student - she's completing in 18 months, others have taken 12 and some are doing it in 24.
She was accepted onto this with the required GCSEs (English, Maths, Science) and a Degree in Sociology.
I have no idea if this would be any more of less relvant to primary school teaching than your Media Degree. The impression I got when my wife was applying was that the Degree was more of an indication that you would be able to study effectlvely during the PGCE, rather than a base to increase your knowlegde on.
The course in Greenwhich also had a January intake, and (at least when my wife applied) they were accepting applications up until the end of September.
Have you considered doing a GTP? You essentially train while you work and earn a basic wage (although it's nothing to get excited about)
I think it depends on the popularity of the course at the uni tbh. I know an ex primary teacher who has a psychology degree.
They didn't even bring up her degree subject in the interview which suggests experience is key.
I went for the same interview and was rejected because my 4 1/2 weeks primary experience in one school wasn't enough. They didn't mention my degree (History of Ideas) in the interview either.
On that basis I would recommend lots of experience and volunteer work as has been suggested.
Currently I am applying for TA jobs for the next school year as experience as I need to be earning to.
I can back MarzBar up, The PGCE is VERY intense but in parts enjoyable, the uni based stuff is a bit of a slog but it's worth it for the time you get in school. On my course there were 10 applicants for every place on the course and demand is just going up and up. It is very competitive and there are some people in my group that have applied 2 or 3 years on the trot. Don't underestimate how important experience is. You need a realistic view of teaching, it is not all painting and glitter!