Is there still a shortage of maths teachers?

[Katisha]

If someone in their late 40s, currently in senior management position elsewhere but who has thought about teaching for years, were to train as a maths teacher in the new scheme, how employable
would they be?
I am reading quite a bit about new entrants to the profession finding it hard to get permanent positions and wondered what the current situation was. Would being that much older be a problem?

[QueenofLouisiana]

DH (former head of maths department in secondary school) says yes there is still a shortage & no the age wouldn't put him off hiring them. I think the vital things are an ability to teach & a passion for maths!

[colander]

I think a lot will depend on your location, but there are always shortages in London and the SE for maths teachers. Definitely get some observation done in some tough schools so you go in with your eyes open. At least half of the people on my PGCE (this is back in the 90s) were in their 30s or 40s so I don't think age is a problem.

[Katisha]

Thanks both. That's reassuring.

[changeforthebetter]

(Said as a mature entrant to the profession who passionately believes that teaching staff should comprise a vast range of ages and experience) There is ahem, a reason why certain subjects are short of teachers (I'm in one such), the pressure is huge, parents often don't support the subject owing to their own experiences, you have to justify your existence continually/work every damn hour to drag kids unwillingly to the holy grail of a C.

This isn't said to dissuade you - just to give you a flavour. Oh and having life experience, especially in fairly senior positions won't count for much with the HT's slavishly devoted acolytes leadership trainees (or is that just my school?)

Do lots of observations. I love teaching on good days. Bad days are pretty awful but I love my subject and think most of the kids I teach are awesome.

[Katisha]

Yes I was wondering how frustrating it might be - not the actual teaching (although I know that will be) but the box ticking etc. ( might add this is not for me but for someone else who keeps wondering whether to take the plunge)

[margaery]

katisha, i am also thinking of training to be maths teacher in a couple of years. I'll be 43 when/if i qualify. Good luck.

[margaery]

I posted another thread about this yesterday just incase you're interested.:-
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/1781086-how-likely-is-it-to-be-employed-as-a-PART-TIME-MATHS-TEACHER-in-my-40s

[Picturepuncture]

My advice would be go Independent. I think it'd better suit your circumstances.

[Arisbottle]

Why would independent be better?

[smokinaces]

I'm nearly at the end of my first year with ou doing maths. Another five to go and thgn hopefully a pgce or gtp or whatever is around then. I'm nearly 31, so will be 36/7 when I get my degree all being well and obviously older still when I get qts. But I have the advantage of working in a school currently who are v. Supportive, so crossing my fingers they continue to do so then!!

[CatherineofMumbles]

Yes there is a still a shortage, to the extent that when I enquired about School Direct (for another subject) and they found out I had a maths A level, was hounded endlessly by callers for the Teaching Agency trying to get me to apply for secondary maths. If you have a 1st/2:1 degree you can get a tax-free bursary of 20k/15k.
I know someone who is starting training who is his fifties, background in business, they are desperate to get people with 'real-life' experience, especially if they have older DC.

[Picturepuncture]

Less of the box ticking frustrations, more likely to reward experience outside teaching and place you further up the pay scale.

Of course these things aren't a given, the OP would need to choose the school carefully, but with time on their side it's possible.

[CatherineofMumbles]

Physics too - if you can offer Physics they will bite your hand off (in a good way )

[yabyum]

If you have a Physics degree and can walk and breathe at the same time, you can name your price. Literally.

[CatherineofMumbles]

yabyum

[SanityClause]

I know someone who is doing this. He is 49, and has worked in the city up until now.

He knew his job would go in the next few years, and wasn't really enjoying it, so decided to do this.

He contacted the TTA, sent his CV into the local schools training collegiate, and was snapped up by one of the schools. He will be the only member of staff in the department with an actual maths degree!

[Katisha]

How's he finding it, Sanity? Apart from the actual teaching, the behaviour and all that?