Am I too old to get into teaching?

[MrsJamieFraser2]

I'm 45, I have a Maths degree and I've always been passionate about numbers and Maths.

I was working as a Finance Director until last year so I do have the experience but also the opportunity to focus on another career. I'm just concerned I'm too old at 45!

Any advice would be really appreciated.

I’m not a teacher but you’re defo not too old. Go for it

God no. We’re desperate for maths teachers. If you’ve got a pulse, you’re in.

nowteach.org.uk is a training route for older people who’ve already had a professional career (mainly London I think).

No. Maths teachers are in demand, go for it

No! I'm a professional tutor for NQT teachers in my school. A few years ago we had a lovely teacher in her mid 40s who came to teaching maths after her children had reached 16+. She was one of the best nqts I've had the pleasure to work with and 5 years on she teaches maths and is HoD for economics too. She's awesome the profession was lucky to get her- you should def do it.

Absolutely not OP. At 45, you've still got another 20 years to go until you reach standard retirement age - plenty of time to make what you want of a career change.

I wouldn’t apply until you have volunteered in a school, to get an idea of what teaching is like.

tomhazard That's really lovely! I think that it's something I feel passionately about and if I don't try I will always wonder 'what if'. Maybe being older would give me a slight advantage.

@Wearywithteens @Foxyloxy1plus1 You are both completely right of course. I have read lots on here about teachers' frustrations and workload. I just don't know where I would start with volunteering, especially as I think I'd prefer to teach at Secondary level.

Dh is just finishing his pgce at a similar age.
It has been hugely hard work but amazing to watch him poring his time and brains into something he loves. No regrets here (yet!)

He got his volunteer hours by contacting the local secondary school. They were hugely supportive and paired him up with a teacher who has come a similar mature-student route.

Our current probationer is very late 40's so no you're not too old OP.

Sorry for multiple posts, just wanted to say that he only decided to start the process about this time last year and had no trouble getting the volunteering and application paperwork done in time for the coming academic year. Go for it!

I'm 47 and just about to finish my PGCE in MFL. It's been a tough course but I've loved it and I'm happy I did it. I've just started to apply for some jobs - there are loads about but I'm being very picky. One of my fellow MFL trainees is also 47 and just got a job for September. There are quite a few "mature" trainees on my course who are having a change of career.

You are definitely not too old. And they are so desperate for maths teachers at the moment. Another trainee is doing a pgce in PE and he's just got a job as a maths teacher at our placement school; he doesn't even have an A level in maths, just a good GCSE! You'll also get a good bursary for maths so you should go for it!

I would approach secondary schools in your area. It might not be the first time ofasking or you mightha e to cast your net further afield. Or even enquire at a local primary. Of course it isn’t secondary and therefore different, but it will be experience and will show you’re really keen.

No definitely not too old and as I understand it, they have been crying out for maths and science teachers for some time.

Wow what a great thread...I've been thinking the same thing. I'm 40 and about to finish my first year of a science degree. Was thinking about teaching but was wondering if I'd be too old by then.

Go for it OP.