Too old to do PGCE?

[Bonjoviuchida]

I am considering to go into teaching teenagers. I was educated outside UK, but have MPhil and PhD degree in the subject which is not regularly taught at UK schools (or elsewhere as well). While raising children, I finished my PhD and couldn't get a permanent lectureship. In the meantime, my children grew and I get old at the age of 48. Without any work experience or other qualifications, going to secondary teaching seems to be the most viable way and also it seems to be similar to the job I wanted to have except for that I would teach younger people. I don't have any clue where to start. It seems that I need to apply for PGCE placements at UCAS. There seem to be two routes and some funding available. I would be grateful if you can share your experience if you have done PGCE or transited to teaching at secondary education.

Thank you in advance.

[ScipioAfricanus]

I’d suggest you put this in Secondary or The Staffroom sections of Education.

I went into teaching quite young, soon after graduating. It’s massively different from teaching at uni and much more comes down to classroom management and dealing with behaviour. You also have to be prepared to make things fun as a lot of pupils won’t necessarily be that interested in your subject. I love teaching in schools but I’m having some time off at the moment. It is a very stressful job and although I love it I wouldn’t go into it now, 15 years on, because of what the governments have done to teaching and how much worse paid it is than it used to be compared with private sector (e.g. pensions which are now just a joke).

First thing I think you should do is do work experience in a school. I did my PGCE with some people who quickly realised they didn’t really like children/school environment/teaching and dropped out. You could look at doing QTS on a GTP so you are paid but this is more of a baptism of fire. I cannot advise strongly enough to go and spend time in a school or helping out with large groups of teenagers to see if you like it. I had done work experience in school and taught teenagers abroad in several different countries so that meant I knew I quite liked it.

[notjustbaconbutties]

Never too old Bonjo. See this website for some inspiration: nowteach.org.uk/

However, you may need to work on your written English, because it was clear from your post that it's not your first language, and no matter what subject you teach you will be expected to be able to correct students' spelling and grammar.

[Paddington68]

not too old, Go for it

[bookishteacher]

I did Primary - hardest, most difficult and exhausting thing I've ever put myself through, but totally worth it once you start teaching! The red tape stuff is rubbish, but there's very few jobs these days that wouldn't say the same thing. The actual teaching is the best job I've ever had and I was 27 before I started teaching an had loads of different jobs before teaching from retail, to call centre to caring. There is nothing to compare to seeing them achieve! Do it, do it, do it! Just be prepared for no social life for at least a year!