Adult GCSE

[HermioneSnape42]

Reposted here for traffic.

I have inquired about an access to education course at my local college as I would like to do a degree in history or education with a view to becoming a teacher.

But I do not have GCSE English or Maths above the required grade. I did however get a double B in science.

Is it doable to do the gcse’s And the access course together in one year or have I just added another year to my already long road to becoming a teacher.

Also is there anything I can do before September as I obviously can’t enrol or start any course until then.

I feel like I’m just sitting wasting time.

Thanks.

Hi! I recently did Maths and English GCSEs. The tutors were quite keen that we concentrated on those, as they are very intense as they are completed in approx 8 months. I also went to a n information evening for an access course, and they were very clear that you should get the GCSEs done first.
A friend of mine tried to do it all in one year and ended up overwhelmed and dropping out of the whole lot.
Another year is well worth it to get good results while retaining your sanity. Good luck!

I just saw the second question. I would recommend brushing up on times tables and mental maths if you can, before starting the maths. Hth

Do you want to teach primary or secondary? Do you have any experience of working in schools? If secondary, which subject? I was a ta in primary for over ten years, did a primary pgce and now work in secondary Sen. If you want to ask me anything, ask away!

Hi Op,
I did an access course a couple of years ago alongside one GCSE. An access course is seriously full on and quite intense. It's full on from the get go and we always seemed to have some peice of work to be working on. I didn't really have much time to invest in my GCSE and because of this I passed the Access course with fab grades but I failed the GCSE.
My advice would be to spend a year focusing on getting your gcse's and then start the Access course the year after. That way you can dedicate enough time to them seperatley, plus you've got the added bonus of already being back in education for a year before the Access course starts. That will really help you feel like you've not been thrown in at the deep end when the Access course starts and you will be able to hit the ground running so to speak.
I know it feels like a long journey to your end goal and adding another year on feels like a lot, but trust me it will be worth it and I can't express just how fast the time flys once you get stuck in to it all.
Best of luck with whatever decision you make op

Thanks for the replies.

I seem to have added another year to my journey then as I expected.

It seems daunting to think how long the journey will be, but I do also take onboard the comments on how I would cope with doing it all together as well. Especially as I’ve been out of education for such a long time.

I’m hoping to teacher in secondary school but have no practical teaching experience.

I have worked within schools volunteering and being a lunchtime supervisor but in primary school.

Hi op ive been thinking of doing the same. I want to eventually go into teaching however I currently work shifts so attending a college part time or evening is a complete no go. I'm been considering self teaching my gcse and attending the exams. I appreciate this is risky but a lot of distance courses are very expensive. I live near Birmingham and there's an adult exam centre there to do the exams. They run a couple of days a week

louise

I’m also in Birmingham but am lucky enough I can do pretty much anytime on a course I work from home helping run our business, but do not want this as a career.

Now my children are all growing up and moving on I really need to think about what I want and I certainly do not want to do office work forever.

Have you considered the open university route? I’ve looked at it but I will need the structure of a “classroom” if you know what I mean.

Good luck x

Also Louise GCSE are free in England if you haven’t got above a ‘C’ I think.

Hey guys yeah I do like the look of the open uni route, would be far easier for me to complete a distance course.
I didnt know gcses were free!? I got an E in maths 😩I young and distracted that's my excuse

Yes gcse's are free if you have below a grade C.
It does feel like such a long journey op, but honestly it does fly by.
It feels like yesterday I applied for my access course and now I've just finished my second year at uni. This time next year I'll be done and I can't explain how quick it's flown by.
I was really in two minds about doing the whole going back to education thing and the amount of time it was going to take me really did put me off but the best thing to remember is 'never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway'
It's a long road but it's really worth it!

It is definitely worth it. I did the access/A level courses in subjects I loved. Then university. Then last of all the maths GCSE. This was the subject I felt least confident in so left it until last. If I had started with the GCSE maths and found I failed it might discouraged me and made me think I wouldn't be able to do the rest.

Like you I had the goal of secondary school teaching in mind. I reasoned that if I got the degree then failed the maths I would at least be able to use the degree to put plan B into operation whereas if I did maths and stalled there it might make be believe I didn't have the aptitude for further education.

Once I had done the degree I had greater determination not to fall at the last hurdle. Also was more disciplined about study by then. Did the maths while tutoring my subject to earn a crust then did the PGCE. Good luck op which ever way you decide to do it. Definitely worth it.

If your skills in maths and english are already at GCSE level then I think you could easily do them in the same year as your access course. If the work involved to get to that level is significant then you would be better doing them separately.

Look at BBC bitesize or other online courses and see if you have the necessary skills already and just need to get the certificate.

Based on your experience of these courses then you can make an informed decision.

I'm currently doing my gcse again.

I tried doing my access course and my gcse together - I struggled and failed the gcse ( needed a C got a D) women on my course now are trying to do 2 GCSE's and an access course and they're struggling

I would do the GCSEs you need together and then the access course

Some of them had to pay to do their GCSE even though they didn't get a C previously - I think it depends on if you work etc - might be different parts of the country or something I'm not sure

I did an access course and Maths and English GCSEs about 12 years ago. It was a lot of work (single parent with primary age child) so a few months in I decided to do the access course over 2 years. Definately the right choice for me. I then did a degree, followed by a PGCE. You might be able to do the access course and GCSEs over one year if you have lots of support at home but it will be tough.

Sheffield College online Maths and Engish GCSE are free if you don't already have the qualifications. Their content and support has been pivotal in my life, grades and career.