AIBU to think getting into teaching should be easier?

As a primary teacher, almost everything I have thought about replying has been mentioned. It’s great to see teachers being valued like this on the thread… if only this was more commonplace!
My DH holds a far more senior role than I do, a better class of degree by a long way and earns a lot more than me- would I want him teaching my children? Absolutely not! I am far better at it than he would be (if our education remains the same!) because I’ve got a whole degree in it!
The whole ‘those who can’t, teach’ view is so frustrating! Yes, sometimes I need to refresh my memory on topics or events that I’m going to deliver on, but my job is about so much more than just telling the children facts. It’s also about far more than you could ever learn in a lecture theatre or seminar… my most valuable lessons have been learned on the ground and hands on, through real life experiences.

Can assure you that my PGCE students do not find it a waste of time, because they are being trained by me.

But possibly- even probably- not for someone with an ambition to teach in the UK and beyond.

Mine, for me

See many posts above about how outdated that advice is.

A waste of time for whom?

I do only teach A-level but a) that could change and I wouldn't be able to do a lot about it until the next academic year; b) I teach a subject that's often only offered at A-level; and c) I worked up to my ideal situation over a number of years.

Your friend would definitely need to teach GCSE to get QTS as the government requires teaching two adjacent key stages; she could be asked to teach any science; her timetable might well be filled with some KS3 lessons (possibly Maths as well as science); she'd have to do some pastoral stuff such as lead a tutor group.

None of that is necessarily a bad thing.

I had a ball for a few years teaching my second subject to y7 and 8. I felt free to experiment and there wasn't the pressure of my whole timetable being exam classes.

You need to play the long game with teaching.

And @LavenderFields7 is so interested in seeking advice on behalf of her ‘friend’ that she hasn't returned after the first post this morning.

Don't bother wasting your time PP’s, OP isn't.

Iv never seen a school that just has teachers for A levels. A college yes but a school will want gcse and a-levels

Plenty of salaried training for science subjects.

https://www.unitedteaching.org.uk/become-a-teacher/what-you-can-teach/train-to-teach-science

A PHD doesn't mean you can teach

Academies and private schools may take her or train in the job might be options. Pgce was largely a waste of time.

Shocking.

I had a similar experience of trying to be a doctor. I applied at lots of surgeries and explained that I've watched a lot of Grey's Anatomy, but they all said I needed to be a "qualified doctor." Why would I spend 5 years and thousands of pounds just in order to be qualified at the job I want to do? I'm not having much luck as an airline pilot either.

Holding a PhD does not mean they are able to teach. And a level 3 ta qualification doesn't qualify you to teach A levels.

If your friend doesn't want to do the PGCE there are other ways to gains QTS status. Some schools run the SCITT scheme and others run GTP that awards QTS status. Or look into private schools.

FE colleges sometimes take a cert Ed but not usually for mainstream curriculum like A levels, usually more on the vocational style courses

What do they want to teach? They can get an untaxed bursary for the year that, depending on the subject, works out more than the early career teachers are being paid. Also, you can’t just teach A Levels in a school, they will need to work in an FE college or similar.

She's literally unqualified to teach until she has a teaching qualification. Not difficult to understand really.

An independent might be the way to go

I've only got and undergrad degree, but I'd have no idea how to teach that subject to children! I'm clueless as to their age-related expectstions and capabilities, I'd definitely want and need training.

Making something relatable and being able to break it down for people who don't have a natural bent towards that subject is a real skill, especially when it's something that comes naturally to you.

I'm training as an apprentice right now and earning a decent wage as an unqualified teacher and I do my PGCE in my spare time (only have an 80% contract).

With a bursary as well, an apprentice role is eminently accessible. Your friend must get some classroom experience first though in order to truly understand teaching.

Totally agree with this.
And as I said, I have a PhD, but I know plenty of others with PhDs who can’t teach for toffee.

Totally agree with this.
And as I said, I have a PhD, but I know plenty of others with PhDs who can’t teach for toffee.

Totally agree with this.
And as I said, I have a PhD, but I know plenty of others with PhDs who can’t teach for toffee.

And yes, there should be a decent bursary for a science PGCE.

I have a PhD and a PGCE. YABVU. Being academically intelligent is not the same as being a capable teacher. Of course your friend should do the PGCE.

This is so true. My father was an electronic engineer and obviously maths came very naturally to him. One of my sisters struggled with maths and I remember her once asking for help with her O level maths homework. He tried to explain but she still didn’t get it. I have never forgotten his words, which were ”How can you not understand? It’s so simple!”

He would have been a useless teacher!