Can anyone share their experience of doing a secondary school PGCE in their 40's...

[Rory786]

Just that really...!

Anyone.....?

My DH did - loved it, loves teaching. He hated his previous job, it was making him ill. Best thing he ever did.

You will be beyond exhausted. Do you have your own children? Prepare to never see them again...

My sister did it in her early 50's. Best thing she ever did. Now teaching in an international school in Malaysia She did the distance learning course based at Nottingham University, while working full time as a music instructor. Hard work for a year but totally worth it.

30s. Taught for 21 years. Hell on earth but paid the mortgage and dd's school fees and wedding. You have an advantage in that pupils don't see you as young, and schools think you will be reliable.

Did a primary school PGCE in my forties with two children one at secondary and the other in primary school . My husband worked away a lot at the time and I had no family help.
It was tough, we were in the full week when at uni even kept us till 5 on a Friday and I had a long drive home.
Weekends spent trying to juggle everything and doing the work set by different subjects on the course. When in placement one time the teacher gave me a pile of books and said here’s some history of the area can you come up with an art and history lesson for tomorrow, stuff like that was a lot of work. Was exhausted by Easter but managed to complete.
Might be better now but be prepared for a lot of work!

It was the worst thing I ever did, I went back to working in social services and I'm glad I did.

Thank you so much for all the replies, it's really interesting to hear all your different perspectives.

I have just graduated with a first class degree from the OU, and I did it in 3 years as opposed to the recommended 6 years- hard work doesnt faze me. I work as a volunteer T.A at a secondary school and I love it. But now I'm wondering if I should take it to the next step.....part of me feels excited, and part of me feels scared.

DH will be working from home, so at least the kids will have him. I have been a stay at home mum for 17 years while DH has been working, so I feel it's my time now!

Do you really want to teach? Sounds like a stupid question but you need to WANT to, not just see it as a career choice.

DH did his PGCE at 32, pre kids. It was a bloody hard slog. He did it as a 'career path' rather than a desire to teach and to be honest he's very successful but rather miserable.

Any advice for the behaviour management side of things...

I know two people who did, one secondary, one primary, both love it, the primary one also got a first and is now deputy head

I'm a teacher if 17 years... I have a five year old daughter and I have instilled this message into her. You can be whatever you want, I will support you in every Avenue... EXCEPT BEING A TEACHER.

Don't do it!!! It will ruin your life.

Of not if..... stupid phone gremlins

You have to really really want to teach, or it will make you miserable. It makes a lot of people pretty miserable even if they did really really want to teach.

However, it sounds like you've at least had some experience in school, so you won't be going in with totally unrealistic expectations. Good luck!

Thanks everyone. I've always wanted to teach, I even started my teaching degree at the age of 18 (BEd) but then my son was born....I'm just weighing it all up. A part of me really wants to go for it, and a part of me thinks I'm crazy and I should stick to a Masters!

I want to something!

No idea in the COVID years, but if you get in touch with schools you can usually do some observations in a real classroom

My sister always wanted to teach but completely change what year group to teach after some real life experience.

I'm very grateful to anyone prepared to teach, I couldn't do it dnd think that teachers are kept woefully short of resources.

You have to really really want to teach, or it will make you miserable. It makes a lot of people pretty miserable even if they did really really want to teach.

^ This. It was something I'd wanted to do for ages and I was over the moon to get accepted on the course. It was the worst decision I ever made. Working in children's social services is less stressful.

I decided I wanted to be a teacher when I was 12. Never wavered, never done anything else. It has certainly made me miserable at times, but it's also in some ways the best job in the world. I enjoy it atm because I am very very part-time and have pretty much zero responsibility or scrutiny.

You will be knackered but you should do it!

I assume your kids are teens? Make a chores rota now, it will be very different to life with a sahm!

Behaviour wise, don't be scared to be a meanie and follow the behaviour policies. You won't be liked but you will get them in line and the whole class will be happy to get on with work without disruption.

Sounds like you will make a brilliant teacher. Good luck!