Worried that 35 will be too old for an NQT

[ShadeofViolet]

After reading a few of the threads on here over the last few days.

I am 30 in a few months and have just about finished my first year of my part time degree, which is 5 years plus a years PGCE.

Will I be too old for a secondary NQT?

[BrianButterfield]

Not at all. I've known many teachers who started in their 30s and have gone on to have successful careers. You will have advantages over young trainees (of which I was one!). 35 is a long way of being the oldest I have known for an nqt.

[HalfSpamHalfBrisket]

I'm primary but I started my NQT year when I was about 38

[Movingtimes]

Worry not, you are a spring chicken compared to a few of us new teachers on this board! I am a secondary NQT and I am 49. I had to do quite a few interviews before landing a job but so did most of my twentysomething course mates. I am in a tricky part of the country for jobs anyway. Age did not seem to be a factor at interview; for the job I got I was up against much younger candidates. Keep going, and good luck. I am loving the job and happily ignoring all the naysayers who gloom on about it being a young people's profession and older people not having the stamina. Ain't necessarily so.

[stargirl1701]

Well, you will retire at 68 so I think you'll have plenty of time for a long, rewarding career.

[happilyconfused]

No problem. I think the main barriers in teaching is when you hit fifty then it is hard to get AHT jobs and if you want to move school at UPS3. Good luck.

[ShadeofViolet]

That is great to hear, I was starting to despair, thinking I had left it too late.

[beamme]

shadeofviolet I am in a similar position to you except I'm 33!
I've just finished my first year of the foundation degree so will be 37/38 in my NQT year. I then plan on doing another 2 year specialist course after my NQT year, so will be 40 by the time I am fully qualified. But there's still 25 years left to work after that!

[stargirl1701]

Euphemia, I see my self wandering into a class with a zimmer saying, 'I remember IPods, children.'

[SoTiredAgain]

I was 40 and pregnant when I started my NQT.

[Phineyj]

I will be about to turn 41 when I start my NQT year. I feel a lot less old in teaching than in my previous career surrounded by 20 somethings!

[ubik]

I will be 41!

(and mortgaged til 68)

[Makingchanges]

I am 33 and just completing my NQT and I was far from the oldest on my course. Go for it

[LittleEsme]

Just finished my NQT year (had my final obs and file inspection last Wednesday).

I'm 40.

Worry not.

[changeforthebetter]

45 when I started my NQT. Yes, ageism is a factor sometimes but then so are life skills which are more in abundance the older you get. I do get called "Mum" more often than I would like

[Bumpstarter]

As a parent, I would far prefer my child to be taught by a 35 yr old nqt, than somebody who has been to school, been to university, done teacher training and gone straight back to school again.... No life experience and often very limited understanding of other spheres of life than education.

[changeforthebetter]

Good point, bump DD had a lovely young teacher whom she adored. However, I do like the fact that she is now taught by an older NQT who is a mum. They can empathise much better. DD is having a rough time this year so we both need more understanding. I also know what it's like to be on the parent chair on parents' evening when the news is not so good.

That said, I am wildly jealous of the energy and freedom non-parent teachers have - rough day? Some schoolwork, bath and early night v. Cook meal, get washing on, supervise homework, tidy up, bedtime routine and then decide how much schoolwork you can do before you fall over with exhaustion!

[Bumpstarter]

Yes.. There are lovely young teachers out there, dedicated and committed ones, but we definately need a mix of ages in the workforce, and being an nqt with parenting experience does give you an edge in certain respects. Good luck! I hope you work in wonderful schools with lovely colleagues and families.

[ninah]

I am primary NQT of 45, I love it!

[Coconutfeet]

I was 40 and pregnant for my NQT year. Please don't worry.

[MrsSalvoMontalbano]

Disagree about 50 being a barrier! Local friend just landed School Direct secondary placement with PGCE, she will be NQT with PGCE next year, aged 54. Hefty non-means-tested bursary. She also was up against younger people, but she was very well qualified (good degree, good university. good career background in business) and the school preferred a person who had had teenage DC herself and with a good career history outside education.

[nothruroad]

Change for the better - do teachers without children not need to cook, wash clothes or tidy up?

[SandStorm]

I've just qualified - I'm 44.

[bigTillyMint]

I have had a fabulous PGCE student for the past 3 weeks. She is 34 and will make a fantastic NQT aged 35.

You have at least 30 working years ahead of you still!