I really really want to be a teacher - any guidance

[hotpotato11]

After leaving school I went into accountancy and qualified as a Chartered Accountant.I have never really found the work all that fulfilling and started helping out in school 10 years ago when my eldest child started and have on and off helped out ever since alongside working at teh local playgroup (mainly to help them out because they struggle for staff).I have just finished a teaching assistant certificate and will be looking for paid TA work after the youngest of my 4 DC start school in September
But i think i would really like to be a primary teacher -but which is the best route ?
Option 1 is to do a full time Primary Education degree -3 years full time
On the plus side -lots of experience in the classroom and would be well thougt of by employers I would have thought.

Option 2 PGCE I would first have to complete a degree with a bias towards a national curriculum subject.The OU say my accountancy qualification gives me 360 points and would need to do 120 points at level 3 for an honours degree. So I would do 2 x 60 point English courses. Did nearly all of one a few years ago but had to withdraw because of severe gall bladder problems (now resolved)
The advantage of this route is that I think it would be way cheaper.

Any thoughts ?

[squilly]

Bump....I'd be interested in looking at any replies on this as I've just started to do a bit of supply work TA-wise and am wondering best way to go.

I'm also looking at specialising in dyslexia, so if anyone knows of any good courses I'm just looking at my options (sorry for semi-hijack, but I thought I'd ask)

[trickerg]

There's another thread going on this :

Calling all KS1/Foundation Phase teachers for some advice please!

(Sorry don't know how to link between threads!!!)

[Overmydeadbody]

Don't be.

There are too many primary teachers in this country already.

If you want to be a teacher go into secondary and do a subject where there is a shortage of teachers.

But please please don't be a primary teacher.

[cathcat]

Hot potato, where are you? Just that here in Scotland the BEd is 4 years. I would say go with option 2 as you can get your extra OU qualifications as you work (and gain school experience) and then do the one year PG course. I don't think that employers see much difference between which route you have taken to get there - but I may be wrong of course. Have you asked a headteacher if it is a factor? The one year course is very intense but I'm sure you know that.

[Overmydeadbody]

squilly hae you looked into the Hornsby Dyslexia course?

[IUsedToBePeachy]

OMDB has a point about a surfeit of teachers, however certainly over my way primary teachers are expressing a concern that the massive related drop in places to study the course will reesult in (much as it diod with nursing) a shortage in a few yeras time.

So maybe ask about it in your area?

I'd go for the Option 2 and focus on maths if you can (As an accountant)- at least you'll bea ddressing an area where there is a real need for experience.

Squilly what level? I am applying fopr an MA in asd and they offer SEN with a dyslexia module, open to those with experience as well as a degree

[gingernutlover]

i agree with topping up your degree through OU

We have had 3 different TA's do this while they worked at our school, and then continued to work there while doing part time PGCE's it meant they worked and earned money but also got invaluable experience in addtion to their training.

[Overmydeadbody]

How about secondary maths or accountancy? I bet there's a shortage there.

I speak from experience, last year when applying for primary jobs there where about 200 applicants per job

What is the point? It is very frustrating. You work your arse off on the PGCE and then struggle to get any work

[IUsedToBePeachy]

Take heart from ewhat happened to my nirsiong cohort OMDB- we were all told no jobs, get out now. So most of us did, then LO! what a shock, no nurses to go round.

The Uni here has vut by half its intake of primary, so it will balance out.

But I have to say the jobs amrket is a key factor against the choice for me- i'm going to reassess after my post grad i think (In ASD so relevant) (I'd like to do Secondary but the course is just too far away) but we shall see.

[Overmydeadbody]

Well, I hope things get better, foy my sake! I don't want to supply forever

I know with primary also it really does depend on where you want to work. If I could move anywhere I know I'd get a job easily, but where I am now is so desirable for teachers that the job market is really competative. Oh well.

[squilly]

Thanks for the Hornsby link Overmydeadbody.

I know that dyslexia isn't being addressed in our local school particularly well, so I'm hoping it's something that I can really make a difference with. I'm currently looking at a few different options, but you just don't know what works, what doesn't, what's good, what isn't.

I don't have a degree, Iusedtobepeachy and I only started volunteering in school a couple of academic years ago, so I'm not in the best position. I figured I'd look at something intensely practical if I can find something like that. One course I'm looking at I love the sound of, but it's a week in Oxford and it's £600 so I'm just weighing things up right now. I really want to do something that can help practically, so it's just a case of finding the right thing.

Apologies for the hijack but thanks for the info. And good luck hotpotato11. If you're passionate about teaching that's got to set you above some of the people out there. And cream always rises, as my old boss used to say

[londonartemis]

Go on to the TDA website - that is the agency which oversees all the ways of becoming a teacher. It also monitors all the different courses in the country. They will lead you by the hand through all the different options which are best for you and suit your circumstances. I think its full name is Training and Development Agency for schools, but if you google TDA you should get it. You can train part time, full time, or even on the job. Good luck.

[mrz]

www.tda.gov.uk/Recruit/becomingateacher/waysintoteaching.aspx

[mrz]

Have you seen the on line dyslexia training on the National Standards site?
nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/165381

[squilly]

I've been away a couple of days (sick mum) but thanks so much for the Dyslexia link. Off again tomorrow, but will check this out tonight....