teacher training - no degree - any thoughts?

[SarfEasticated]

I would really appreciate some advice please. I am in my 40's and after getting 8 O'levels and 3 A'levels at senior school went to art college and did an HND in Design. Since then I have worked in magazine and book design and production. I have decided that I would like to retrain to teach. I went to the Train to Teach event in March and it was suggested that I topped up my HND to a degree by doing and Open University open degree. It appears that as my HND is 20 years old that it is not recent enough for them to take it into account. Do I have to now do an access course, followed by a degree followed by a PGCE, or is there a quicker way? I would ideally like to continue in my current publishing job and study part-time, but would be willing resign and study full time. I live in London, but would be willing to travel for the right course.

Can you give me any advice?

Thanks in advance

[ptiger]

My daughter is currently looking at routes into teaching and from what we have found the only quicker option might be a Batchelor of Education, you could do it part time if you wanted to continue working as well. Contact one of the Universities that run it and see whether they would accept your HND despite it being not recently acquired.

[Migsy1]

I didn't know that qualifications expire.

[sashh]

Do yoou want to teach in a school or a college? For college you ca do the DTTLS course without a degree, you can teach age 14+ including adults but only in a college not a school

What are you intending to teach, I'm assuming Art / design but if you have to do a degree make sure you have some national curriculum subject knowledge.

You do not need to do access as you have A Levels so you have the qualification to get into uni. You are in London so you have a lot of choice including Birkbeck which has all lectures in the evening.

Check with the student loans company about funding, if you already have an HND they may only fund one or two years of uni study.

[SarfEasticated]

Thanks for your replies :)

Migsy1 - they don't expire as such, just the OU only take them into consideration if they are less than 16yrs old.

sashh - I ideally want to teach primary, and would love to teach either art and design or design and technology. I am really interested in nutrition/cooking too which I believe comes under the umbrella of D&T (is that right?).

[Migsy1]

Yes, Food Tech is a D&T subject. Have you phoned the helpline at the Teacher Training Agency to discuss your queries www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/faqs/teaching-information-line.aspx

[DonInKillerHeels]

Do a Bachelor of Education - by far the fastest route - and I'd go to the Institute of Education in Russell Square, which is part of the University of London.

[SarfEasticated]

Would a degree in primary education with QTS be quicker?

[SarfEasticated]

They do one at Greenwich...

[FallenCaryatid]

' I ideally want to teach primary, and would love to teach either art and design or design and technology. I am really interested in nutrition/cooking too which I believe comes under the umbrella of D&T (is that right?).'

As a primary teacher, you would have to teach everything, and DT/Art are not core subjects. There's a new primary framework on the way which is even more likely to be weighted towards Literacy, Maths and ICT.

[SarfEasticated]

I am happy to teach everything but design and food are my passions. I had a very good old fashioned grammar school education, so am well versed in the 3xRs

I'm hoping my being over 40 isn't going to count against me.

[nkf]

I think Bed might be teh way to go for you.

[SarfEasticated]

That would take 3 yrs plus I would need to do a PGCE wouldn't I? I thought the primary education with QTS would be a bit quicker

[nkf]

I think you are underestimating the requirements of teaching. It's a professional job with degree level requirements. There is even talk of ruling out people with degress less than first or two one. In some countries, it's a masters level profession and many teachers in the UK do have masters. If you're serious, you need to raise your academic qualifications as well as train.

[nkf]

And QTS applies to all teachers, however people enter the profession.

[Migsy1]

I don't think you need a PGCE as well as a BEd

[nkf]

You will need a period in schools when you are being observed regularly. You will need to do a range of things that show you reach QTS. Perhaps that's part of a BeD. It's not a quick retrain if you don't have a degree. It takes the time to become a teacher as it does to become a lawyer. Degree plus professional training.

[SarfEasticated]

I am just trying to find out how long it takes to retrain, and do it in the most efficient and focused way possible. I have a family and financial commitments that means giving up work will be quite a sacrifice for all of us. I don't think that being a teacher is an easy option. I could have done a degree when I left school in 1986, but elected to do a more focused qualification that was more suited to the career I wanted.
My research has suggested that this course would be suitable, as it gives me a degree and practical teaching experience.

[Migsy1]

Look good :) I understand your predicament. I'm a lone parent and applying for a PGCE and the financial side of it is a bit overwhelming!

[Migsy1]

I mean "looks good"

[MyBoysHaveDogsNames]

Hi, I did my degree at Birkbeck which usually takes 4 years studying in the evening. However it took me 6 years as I had two children while doing it and working!

I would recommend Birkbeck as they cater specifically for mature students. I am now doing my pgce full time and will finish in June. So you could qualify in 5 years using that route. The other route only takes 3 years but you would not be able to work as well. Depends what your priorities are.

Have you much experience in school?

[sashh]

OK so quickest opotions would be

Top up your HND to a degree, 1 year full time or two part time and then apply for a GTP where you study as you work. Or a one year PGCE.

Enroll on a BEd - you will get some credit for your HND and might be able to APEL some work experience.

[SarfEasticated]

thanks everyone for your information, will look into the BEd as so many of you recommend it.
Much appreciated

[SarfEasticated]

SO! I applied to Greenwich, and didn't get in. I am assuming it's because my academic achievement aren't that hot. I have got some school based time sorted out, and now just need to up my game academically. I am going to reapply next year, so need to do one 'A' level in the evenings before then. It would suit us better financially to wait a year until before I stop work to study full time. Which A level subject would be the most relevant to primary school teaching? Psychology? English?

[Feenie]

Not psychology! English or Maths.

[kellestar]

I really recommend calling and asking for feedback from greenwich, ime it's tge work ecperience that may be letting you down. A BEd is a good route. Can you get a placement to help in a class, maybe a morning or afternoon over a term (or more) in prep, a variety of schools is good as well (inner city/rural, private etc).

Make sure your application next year is in early, before 15th January to be guarenteed equal consideration, those that apply after may be turned away if full.