Can my dsis retrain as a primary teacher without A levels or a degree?

[Mamamanatee]

She has a HND in a non academic subject.

Well if she never passed gcse maths then the answer is a complete no.

^This

She needs to contact 'Get into Teaching' if you google they have a website with loads of info and contact details.

No, she won’t be able to teach. There are plenty of jobs she could do though: Teaching Assistant (though my cousin who does have maths and English GCSEs and a degree found it competitive just to get onto the college course to train for this), school admin (again, very competitive for jobs), lunchtime supervisor, etc

Has she considered other teaching roles or personal tutor roles? Personal tutors in FE do not need a degree but do some teaching and planning which may open other routes to her.

She should probably try to get a job as a teaching assistant first to see if she really does want to become a teacher, but yes she would need maths GCSE.

I know someone who did an early years BTEC, then a foundation degree (similar qualification I imagine to a HND?) while working in a nursery, then a final year of one day at college to get a degree, she now hopes to do a PGCE/schools direct. So A'levels and a full time degree are not the only route to teaching.

If she struggles academically and doesn’t have a lot of self-discipline and resilience, it absolutely isn’t the job for her. I think people without kids in school today often have an impression that being a Primary teacher is about nurturing young children, reading stories and counting with blocks. Even in Reception the phonics teaching is rigorous, and there is high pressure to get kids up to standards in literacy and maths. There’s a huge range of capabilities between kids, large class sizes and teachers need a range of strategies to manage and meet individual children’s needs.

Not only would I not want someone with your sister’s profile trying to get my kids through that system, I don’t think she’d cope.

Pre-school/nursery might be better aim for her as that is more about nurture and the very basics of learning. It is low paid but she could progress into management in time.

Thank you all. I don't think she'd cope either.

The PGCE is a very demanding course if she went down that route - you are expected to have high levels of resilience and ability to work at Masters level. There is no spoon feeding in university and once you get into school you are expected to at least hit the ground jogging - it really is a 3 year degree in 1 one year with the added pressure of the Masters research project.

Her first step in any direction should be to get the Maths and English GCSEs, as they will open up doors. However, she could enrol on a Level 2 course in supporting teaching and learning, which would involve also working as a TA.

There’s also the teacher numeracy test which loads of people I know failed multiple times.

Kind and caring are lovely traits (rare even, I don't have them!)
There are better paths for her. Other types of teaching or coaching, for instance.

How about early years care ? I think she would need nvq level two and she could work on maths GCSE. I know it's not well paid but the academic requirements aren't as stringent.

My cousin left school with a mix of CSE and a couple of O Levels, she completely bombed A Levels.

She used to be a parent helper at her child's school, then she did a foundation degree, then a degree with QTS and has been happily teaching for over a decade.

For her this was a good route as she started at a level she was comfortable with and gradually progressed, it was a long route but I think sometimes that is better.

She will need GCSE maths, English and science and to pass the numeracy and literacy test, fortunately you now do those before you start your teaching degree.

Some providers will take the OU module MU123 as equivalent, she could just about start this now (it started last week) or in February.

The registered teacher programme no longer runs.

She will probably need maths and english GCSE to get a TA job unless it is related to an EHCP and/or personal care.

You say she’s not had a career and wants one, but what has she been doing for jobs? Could she not see if what she’s been doing has any courses available to be supervisor/manager and approach a higher up about going on one?

My DH after almost 20 years drifting through retail is basically waiting for a managerial position to open up after doing this with his boss. :)

To teach in primary, you need to have a high level of education these days. GCSEs in English, maths and science. A degree in education or a PGCE.
if I were advertising for a TA nowadays, I'd expect a minimum of English and Maths at a good GCSE level, or a proven track record of working in schools.

I agree, teaching doesn’t sound like a good fit for her.

Working as a ta is a great way to see if she likes being in school. The pay is crap but it’s a very rewarding role.

My friend has just qualified as a teacher, she did a history degree with the open university and then a PGCE. It’s taken her 6 years to qualify though.

No way will she get on to a teaching course as it stands.

Every single TA at my school has a degree. Getting a job as a TA is highly competitive. Our head told us about five years ago he advertised an admin job and every single applicant had a degree. They couldn't dream of filling that role with a graduate previously.

Can she book to see a careers advisor?

She could get some student support work in a college or school. There are many other careers around.

What was herHND in?

I’m not sure there’s many ‘proper’ careers at all which are going to be open to somebody that can’t grasp GCSE Maths. It’s the most basic qualification going, surely?

Is she interested in early years at all? She could go into nursery nursing/early years practitioner, most get more than a TA but slightly less than a teacher and it's not nearly so academic. Kindness and caring essential.