has anyone taken the GRTP route to becoming qualified as a teacher

[tufty]

Is there anyone out there who has taken the GRTP route to becoming qualified as a teacher? Or done primary PGCE by distance learning?
I'd love to hear from you !

[WideWebWitch]

So would I! I'm interested in becoming a teacher but don't have a first degree - or a second, come to that Is there any way of doing it?

[CraftyCat]

I'd like to know too!!! I don't have a degree, but do have Diploma in Mgt and PGCE for Adults. I have vaguely thought about teaching, but doing a degree and PGCE is too much time/energy/poverty for me! I read something in the paper at the weekend about some schools taking people with a degree and training them on-the-job to be a teacher. It seems a shame to waste people interested in teaching - I wonder how many teachers actually use their degree once teaching?

[slug]

You can do a Cert Ed if you don't have a degree. It's good for working in FE colleges, though I don't know about schools, sorry.

[JessicaR]

I work work at a Unviversity and deal with PGCE courses so have some info. I'd suggest initially you might contact the Teacher Training Agency (TTA)if you haven't already done so. They provide info on all sorts of routes into teaching whether you have a degree or not. Their website address is www.canteach.gov.uk or tel 0845 6000 991. You could also speak to local universities if they offer teacher training - they should be able to provide you with details of the courses they offer.
The Graduate Teacher Programme involves working in a school whilst training. You'll need to find a job in a school first. I'm afraid I don't know a great deal about this route. There is also a Registered Teacher Programme for those who've done 2 years of Higher Education.
The CertEd in Further Education can be used for post-16 education, but won't give you qualified teacher status which means you won't be able to teach in schools as a qualified teacher.
I'm sure I've waffled on enough now! I hope this is of some help.

[tufty]

Thank you for the tips. Good luck to you guys and think of my husband as he sets off to find a school to support him on the GRTP! If anyone else gets going on GRTP or RTP do keep me posted! FWIW some places do PGCE by distance learning... OU does seniors and some Univs do Primary. I believe there are some flexible entry criteria for those without a degree...
Surely enthusiasm and commitment count for something..

[bayleaf]

You would hope so - but a friend's husband tried and tried last year to do a complete career change and get on a primary PGCE and failed despite being a graduate ( Architecture) because it wasn't one of the subjects that they 'recognise'(or some other such rubbish). This despite him being eminently suitable in every other way and there being a supposed need for more male primary teachers as role models!

[tufty]

Oh NO! My DH has a degree in Psychology and did his project on Dyslexia but then has been copywriting writing ever since.
YIKES.