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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to think getting into teaching should be easier?

211 replies

LavenderFields7 · 18/04/2025 09:07

My friend has a PhD in stem, is trying to get into teaching A-levels at local school but everywhere wants PGCE. AIBU to think it’s ridiculous to want someone so qualified to have to study another year, fork out £10,000 and work unpaid for a year? She has a Level 3 teaching qualification and has taught uni level students.

OP posts:
SilverButton · 18/04/2025 09:15

I have a friend who is very intelligent and has a relevant degree but doesn't have a PGCE. He has always taught in private schools so they don't demand a PGCE - could your friend try the same? My friend is a head teacher now!

PrincessCalley · 18/04/2025 09:14

Why would a PHD trump a teaching qualification? She might possess no teaching skills what so ever

Purpleturtle43 · 18/04/2025 09:13

Of course you need a teaching qualification to be a teacher! 🤷🏼‍♀️

KateDelRick · 18/04/2025 09:13

Plus, a PhD doesn't mean very much in this instance. That's not the skill schools are looking for.

NerrSnerr · 18/04/2025 09:13

Would she also class her other qualifications as unpaid work?

KateDelRick · 18/04/2025 09:12

Teaching uni level students is completely different.
If she wants to teach in schools, she'll need the qualification. It's not a year of "unpaid work". It's an intensive training course.
Schools want someone who knows how to teach. Not lecture.

NerrSnerr · 18/04/2025 09:12

What teaching qualification does it have?

Although she has a PHD you still need to actually learn to teach in schools. You can't just jump from academia to teaching in a school, you need to be quite rightly qualified.

Eachpeachpearprune · 18/04/2025 09:12

They’ve not done a teaching qualification so why do you expect them to be able to get a job as a teacher? Just because someone is clever, doesn’t mean they can teach or automatically get a job as one 🤦🏼‍♀️ Honestly, you clearly have no idea what it takes to be a teacher/the skills needed - you can’t just waltz into a secondary school teaching a range of ages and abilities just because you’ve taught uni students.

swashbucklecheer · 18/04/2025 09:11

She may be qualified in STEM, but she's not a qualified teacher.

MissJeanBrodiesmother · 18/04/2025 09:09

A local secondary will likely want someone who can teach the full age range. Teaching uni students is very different to teaching younger students of varying abilities and controlling a class of kids who don't necessarily want to learn. The PGCE will show that she can do this to a basic level.

AlphaRadiationIsHeliumNuclei · 18/04/2025 09:09

But they're not a qualified teacher. Teaching children and teenagers is a particular skill.

I really wish that people would recognise this.

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