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Will my 2:2 hinder my job prospects?

31 replies

RedTarn · 27/01/2019 16:05

I’m halfway through my pgce in secondary and there’s a few jobs popping up.
Other trainees on my scitt are all starting to apply (many with success) - There are 5 different subject areas.

There’s one job in particular which is suitable for me and 5 others on the course. But I don’t feel I’ll stand a chance as one of the trainees has a phd in part of the subject, another has a 1st in a realted masters, and the others all either have a 1st or 2:1 in their undergrad degree.

I don’t stand a chance do I?!

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Haggisfish · 27/01/2019 16:08

You do unless it’s at a private school. IMO far more importance is placed on what they see in the lesson and your interview.

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RedTarn · 27/01/2019 16:14

Thanks haggis That’s reassured me. I think I’m suffering massively from imposter syndrome. My new placement is in a grammar school and I feel so out of my depths academic wise.

My lessons in my last last placement were above expected on the matrix though. I feel like I am a hood teacher but it does take me longer to plan as I often have to relearn the content

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VashtaNerada · 27/01/2019 16:18

God no. I have a 2:2 and nobody has ever commented on it in an interview. My teaching ability and career history has been more than enough (my undergraduate degree was about ten thousand years ago though).

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RedTarn · 27/01/2019 16:22

Thanks vashta my degree was 10yrs ago and I’ve had 2 children since then. I feel like it’s all gone out the window!

I’ve always had to work hard to get an average grade, through school,
college and Uni.

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RedTarn · 27/01/2019 16:23

I’m so reluctant to apply for this job as I just feel like there’s no point!

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Youmadorwhat · 27/01/2019 16:27

God no!! I have a 2:2 and every job I ever applied for I got!! Have a solid lesson planned and try to relax as much as possible. (Easier said than done I know) Best of luck!!

Also I have MAJOR imposter syndrome still 10 years later 🤷‍♀️😂😂

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SpoonBlender · 27/01/2019 16:27

Always apply. If you don't then you definitely won't get an interview, eh?

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Youmadorwhat · 27/01/2019 16:29

@RedTarn I am in the exact same position, I just returned after being at home with my two DC for 5 years. I started supply work in October and I have already secured a job for next September so I must be doing something right!! Honestly, just go for it!! 👍👍

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stayingaliveisawayoflife · 27/01/2019 16:29

I had a 2:2 been teaching 20 years! Also got accepted on a distance learning masters course which I passed with merit. I was told I wouldn't get on a masters without a first but found that isn't always true!

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Sofabitch · 27/01/2019 16:31

Teaching ability and academic ability feel like different skill sets completely.

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RedTarn · 27/01/2019 16:36

Thank you so much eveyone! I think the mixture of the christmas break... I haven’t taught anything since 20th Dec!

And now being in a school with some very intelligent teachers (who don’t really have to have much teaching ability I’ve observed, as the children just lap up information!), and very intelligent children is making me doubt my abilities

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Haggisfish · 27/01/2019 17:15

It’s so different in non grammar schools. Part of the reason my students like me is because I freely tell them I had to work really hard to get my grades and that I didn’t ‘get it’ straight away. I tell them that’s partly what made me become a teacher, to help students not to have similar crap teaching to that I had. I also ask them to ‘teach’ me things like language, current games, apps, scooter skills (yes, I’m secondary!) and they love that, too.

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Haggisfish · 27/01/2019 17:16

I also totally empathise with my students who are scared to try in case they fail. It’s so much easier to not try and fail because it’s not really their fault then.

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RedTarn · 27/01/2019 17:47

haggis They are the students I empathise with! The average ones! I also had a shitty start so totally empathise with the PP kids too. I want to work in an average comp. The grammar school is so over whelming!

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Haggisfish · 27/01/2019 23:35

I can imagine. I love my proper comp! I’m not so good with middle sets, but specialise in bottom sets and top sets!

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Lidlfix · 28/01/2019 20:29

Teaching is one of the only graduate professions where your degree classification and post graduate qualifications (other than your teaching one) are not really looked at.

My first might look nice on a certificate as does my former colleague's PHD, some parents were impressed when they saw Dr others wondered what she was doing "only teaching ". Classroom presence, behaviour management, pace and challenge are not linked to your own academic journey. Good luck

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bananapeanutbutterandtoast · 03/03/2019 23:43

It's not a problem IMO.
I've got a 2:2 and am head of a core subject department so it has never stopped me. When I shortlist applicants I don't worry about degree class too much. If subject knowledge is clear from lesson, interview and reference, I am happy. Also I want to know they can engage students and help them to learn. That's the main thing after all.
Good luck! X

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Holidayshopping · 04/03/2019 09:16

Some of the SLT I know locally would be put off by a phd as it would make them feel inadequate! I really wouldn’t worry.

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Artfullydead · 04/03/2019 19:01

It won't have any sort of impact but I do get a bit irritated by the inference that clever teachers is a bad thing!

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Heyha · 04/03/2019 19:10

I got a 2.2 and have got every job I've been for, they even let me pick other people for jobs now and I don't remember ever looking at degree class.
I do look at subject of degree (if you've got QTS you've obviously got enough to get onto the course) and I'd be much more likely to look at your A level choices for example to see if there was an obvious second subject for you if we ever needed it.

I work in normality though not grammar/public so can't speak for those sectors.

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NeurotrashWarrior · 05/03/2019 14:51

Nope. 2:2 here but distinction in PGCE and had a lot of successes in my career.

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NeurotrashWarrior · 05/03/2019 14:53

One essay I did on my pgce looked at ofsted research that those who struggled with maths themselves actually made better maths teachers. You understand why it's hard for someone to understand so think more carefully about how it needs to be taught.

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Paddy1234 · 05/03/2019 15:02

I got a 2:2
Never hindered me at all in my job/s

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Artfullydead · 05/03/2019 18:20

Which to be fair is absolute utter tosh Neuro

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TheFallenMadonna · 05/03/2019 18:28

When was that research published?

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