To think it's a good idea to retrain as a teacher?

[OhWesternWind]

I've been thinking on and off for years about retraining as a primary teacher but as I've been on a long career conveyor belt, having two children and just going along in a bit of a rut, it's never something that has seemed a serious possibility.

I'm 40 now and my long-term (17 years) partner has recently left us. This has led me to reconsider all sorts of things about my life, and one of these is my job. As I'm thinking about relocating in the next year or so, in a way it seems a good time to shake everything up and take this chance to retrain.

On the downside, though, are the various newspaper reports and rumours that I keep hearing about how hard it is now to find a job as a teacher. Is this true? Are there really thousands of qualified teachers unable to find teaching work? It will be at least 2013 before I qualify, as I've missed the boat for getting on a course this year, so maybe things will be better by then. Or am I an optimistic fool? If I am, I would rather realise it now than two years down the line when I am knocking on the job centre door.

All opinions appreciated! Thanks.

I am not sure. Just wanted to say that I recently spoke to a dad who has just finished training as a teacher and has taken a job as a HLTA (high level teaching assistant) as it is very competative for jobs round here (SW)...also am not sure but think you should check they are still funding the teaching courses as there was some talk of the funding being cut.

Look carefully at all the different types of funding and training. I looked into it a couple of years ago.

Lifelong learning were useful :www.lluk.org/

If you can, try to do some work experience. See if you can volunteer in a teaching environment so you can get a feel for if you will like teaching and also to see if you think you're capable of it. Wanting to teach is very different from being able to teach. Good teachers have a natural talent.

This website explains the different options: www.tda.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/teacher-training-options.aspx

Good luck and I hope you work out what you want to do :)

I think it depands the aera you live in.

The area I live, and as a parent governor there are so many new qualified and qualified teachers looking for work at the moment. For example we have just advertised 2 teaching positions and where in previous years we may have had 10 - 15 applicants we have had over 40 and have had to turn away many good teachers down.

Secondary school teachers doing science subjects are still sought after I think
primary is harder
depends if you're prepared to travel to work I guess

Hi - my aim is to teach primary in the north-west of England. I'll be able to travel a bit but as I have two children I will want something reasonably local.

Do you think an (ahem) mature NQT would be penalised against a younger person? That's the other thing that worries me as I am getting a bit long in the tooth!

They now require some sort of experience in the classroom before you are considered for a PGCE (eg. regular volunteering, working as a TA...). You will need to consider if you are more interested in Primary or Secondary.

It is becoming more difficult to find a job.

Oh no! My DH wants to retrain as a secondary school teacher! Please don't say it's impossible to get a job!

What is his subject? Science teachers are still very much in demand.

History

Euphemia, that is truly shocking.

There are 200 + applicants per job here (primary) in Bath. there are two training colleges nearby (Bath and Bristol) with many new teachers..

Did the PGCE a few years ago and the more mature students did really well...

It is strange as where I live there are not going to be enough primary places to go round and some schools are having to have additional classes added. Therefore, I thought there would be more primary teachers needed.

Primary is really oversubscribed, there is still demand for some secondary subjects. DH has just retrained as a maths teacher and hasn't had a problem getting a job.