How do I get into teaching

[blackbib]

As the title says I want to get into the field of teaching. I am a trained teacher (not from the UK). I have had a good experience of teaching in my native country, but never had ventured into a teaching job in the UK. DD2 is going to be 1 soon. So I am thinking of getting serious about getting into a teaching job. I am mainly concentrating on primary schools. But where do I start? Anyone with experience similar to mine? I'm ready to take up courses that can ease my pathway to careers in primary schools. Any advice please?.

@NameThenChange are you a teacher?

@blackbib you can still work in education and as an educator, but I would avoid going into school teaching. Especially given what you’ve said about your dad. Getting time off work is impossible as a teacher.

I think you could look at universities at student support or academic English support, for example. Or teaching English as a foreign language to adults. You will have so much to offer from your skill set.

If you can work very part time - I work two days a week - it is doable. My kids are in breakfast club 3x a week and ASC club once a week (when I have a meeting)

i work my two days spread over 3 so I can leave early to pick my kids up. I do my planning and marking in the other two days when they are at school. I often have to work at weekends too at pressure points (eg exams or assessments to mark).

i have been teaching a long time so I am on the upper pay scale and can earn a decent wage doing this.

We are desperate for teachers in the UK at the moment. There are just no student teachers and people are leaving in droves. It’s scary. I want to leave, but feel obliged to stay. Who is going to teach these kids when we go?

Teaching in the uk is a pile of poop. I wouldn’t bother

Online lessons because schools can't recruit and retain teachers www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/4751035-online-lessons-because-schools-cant-recruit-and-retain-teachers

The state of teaching as a profession in the UK is heartbreaking at the moment.

teaching in most UK schools is not compatible with raising a child

Looks like your post has brought out a lot of disgruntled ex-teachers op.

Yes there are stresses in the system. Mainly because we need a change of government.

But kids need teachers. Teaching is an amazing job. One of the most important roles in society. If you feel called to it. Do it! The kids will be lucky to have you!! 💛

I’m a teacher and joined the group just to see what was on there. It’s, unsurprisingly, pretty biased. OP as others say I would find a way of spending some time in primary schools first to get a feel. I suspect you may have to do a PGCE to convert your qualifications. Good luck.

It sounds like you have loads to offer, there are all sorts of other ways to work outside the home and made a meaningful contribution than putting yourself through the hugely stressful option of becoming a teacher. Be bold and imaginative and look for other roles perhaps, there are all sorts of ways to use your qualifications and/or work with children but if you go into teaching you may find that the really important things you do for your family are pushed to the sidelines and that sounds like it would feel hard. Good luck in whatever you do next x

Hi blackbib,

Unfortunately all of the comments are true. I have been doing a teacher training course for 6 months here in England - I'm almost done! I would consider shadowing a teacher in primary- usually they allow this- contact a local school, you can be a visitor for a day. You say you have a preference for primary which is great 👍 you know the age you would like to teach. But beware- the marking is just as intense in primary as secondary - don't think it is easier or lighter.
Lots of foreign teachers come to the UK to find work in teaching- they are soon shocked to see how different it is from their home country. Schools are not perfect anywhere but the UK is struggling - there will be a 2 day strike this week.
You will be working every eve and every weekend until you reach a level ( usually after many years) where you can make adaptations and lesson plans very quickly- this is not an 8 to 3 job - it's a 7.30 till 7.30 job with a small lunch break plus one day at the weekend
There are teachers who work less than this but this is after many many years - so don't trust those who say otherwise!
It is not family friendly
I would shadow and observe and really think about it- but yeah all the previous comments are true

Go and volunteer in a British school. To see what it's really like. It's not like teaching abroad. (I've done both). It's super stressful.

Contact a teacher training university and see if your qualifications can be converted

Have you checked whether your qualification is fully recognised here. Maybe apply for a TA role and see if a UK primary classroom suits you. If not, have you considered teaching adults? You can do a short course for teaching if needs be.

Any other job ideas plz? Part time would be great?. I'm ready to learn new skills!

What are YOUR expectations of primary teaching in the UK? This is an important question and will guide us to answer you honestly OP.

I'm a primary teacher (currently in a Year 2 class, but I've taught all year groups, from nursery right through to Year 6).

I'm in my 29th year of teaching...so I've experienced a LOT of changes over the years 🤣🤦‍♀️

I can tell you honestly...if I'd started teaching now, I would have left already and done something else with my life (but at nearly 60 and almost retiring, I'm hanging on my my fingertips and just hoping I make it!!)

Teaching in this current climate in the UK is brutal...and definitely NOT family friendly!

I work upwards of 70 hours a week term time, and do maybe 15-20 hours during the 'holidays'...don't believe that the school holidays are for you OP, they're not!

As well as horrendous, unsustainable workload, there's the state of education as a whole...it's led from a 'top down' model, with academisation of schools bringing a whole raft of issues. Highly paid 'executives' and 'consultants' demanding blood and driving a 'results driven' agenda, no money for even basic equipment (because...highly paid executives and consultants 🤷‍♀️)

I could go on...there's so much wrong with education right now...and I don't see this improving any time soon 😢

Short answer...don't do it 👍

To avoid a origin sentence? That’s the only reason I can think of

*prison sentence

Christ, don't do it.

Yes, agree...I only joined out of curiosity as have now early retired but thinking of doing some bits of supply work etc....the issue is that a pleasant school and atmosphere can all change if a new manager joins and is unpleasant, this happened to our dept, a vile toxic bully joined the team and drove out lots of good staff and then she left, previously I had 17 very happy years.