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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to expect a job after PGCE??

36 replies

missingmevino · 08/03/2011 21:17

Calling all teachers!!!

Am keen to do my secondary science PGCE in September. Have wanted to get into teaching for a long time, and recent redundancy has given me the option to finally do it (and still manage to pay bills etc while training).

Have heard that there is currently a glut of teachers and it is getting very difficult to get a job after PGCE.

Is this true? Is it the same for science teachers (there is a bursary still available as it is a priority subject, does this not mean there is a shortage of teachers?)

Would appreciate any advice. Would be heartbreaking to make all the sacrifices necessary for PGCE, and then find I've made a huge mistake when I can't get a NQT post.

Thank you.

OP posts:
hockeyforjockeys · 08/03/2011 21:21

There is definitely a shortage of chemistry and physics teachers, so if that is your specialism then you'll be grabbed with both hands. Not sure about the general picture - different areas have different levels of demand. It might be handy to say roughly where you are in the country and somebody would be able to give you more specific advice.

hairylights · 08/03/2011 21:22

I have also heard that it's nigh on impossible to get a teaching job. And will be for the forseeable.

Yabu to "expect" a job at amy time. Expect to compete for the few jobs that are available.

NinkyNonker · 08/03/2011 21:23

Science and maths are still in demand.

Original poster
missingmevino · 08/03/2011 21:23

Thank you. I'm in Kent. Biology would be my preference (Biochemistry degree) but am wondering if may be able to teach Chemistry up to Year 11 (I have A level chemistry). Chemistry teachers do seem more in demand :)

OP posts:
pranma · 08/03/2011 21:24

You will always get a science or maths job-there are never enough teachers in those subjects.

Original poster
missingmevino · 08/03/2011 21:27

Hairylights - I know!!! Didn't really mean 'expect'. 'Hope for' was what i should have said!

There seem to be so many people saying that there are very few teaching jobs available, is very worrying.

OP posts:
Garcia10 · 08/03/2011 21:27

I agree with hairlylights - anyone who 'expects' to get a job is unreasonable.

Although she has trained as a primary teacher my neighbour has been unable to get a permanent position in the six years since she has been qualified. She does supply and it just about gives her enough to live on.

I feel for her as she works hard and has just been unlucky. With additional NQTs qualifying each year her chances of being employed in a permanent diminish.

YABU to feel that you have an entitlement for a position regardless of your career choice.

Rosieeo · 08/03/2011 21:29

Biology not so much but physics and chemistry - they'll bite your hand off. There is still a bursary available:

www.tda.gov.uk/get-into-teaching.aspx

As out HoD once said, you could be a two-headed alien with no social skills and BO and still get a job teaching physics.

hockeyforjockeys · 08/03/2011 21:30

If you are trying to get a primary job in a nice safe area then yes you will find it difficult. If you are prepared to work in tougher areas or have a subject with few graduates (e.g. physics or maths) then you will have no problems. Kent I would imagine would be relatively easy to get work, particularly if you can commute to South London.

celticlassie · 08/03/2011 21:32

In Scotland, (I don't know where you are) you've very little hope. It's grim.

Original poster
missingmevino · 08/03/2011 21:32

Hmmmm, wishing I could do Physics now!!!

Thanks for the replies everyone.

OP posts:
celticlassie · 08/03/2011 21:33

Oops, sorry, just read you're in Kent. Blush

Garcia10 · 08/03/2011 21:36

You probably can do Physics. My husband is a secondary school teacher who specialises in Chemistry at Key Stage 4 even though he doesn't have Chemistry A-level.

My understanding is that you train to be a Science teacher at PGCE (as he did) and then apply for a position. The position he applied for just happened to be for Chemistry.

hockeyforjockeys · 08/03/2011 21:38

If you look at the TDA website it says that they would like you to have a chemistry or related degree, so I imagine biochemistry would count. If you are worried about getting a job you might be worth doing a chemistry specialism as part of your course.

Original poster
missingmevino · 08/03/2011 21:38

Thanks Garcia10, I didn't realise that.

OP posts:
LadyOfTheManor · 08/03/2011 21:40

YABU you expect to get a job ANYWHERE in these times. Qualified or not.

jenga079 · 08/03/2011 21:47

Almost all jobs in England are advertised on the TES website. If you have a look there you will see the sorts of jobs currently being advertised. Between now and June is when most NQTs will get their jobs. Obviously the situation will be slightly different next year, but keeping an eye on the TES (you can sign up for alerts for your area and subject) will give you an idea of how many jobs are around and what your prospects will be for next year.

IAmTheCookieMonster · 08/03/2011 21:50

I'm doing secondary science PGCE in september, specialising in biology.

My cousin who is a head of science reckons that there is still demand for biology teachers, but as others have said chemistry and physics are the big shortage subjects.

Loshad · 08/03/2011 21:53

Depends where you are - i'm a biology teacher and there is a huge over supply of biologists in scotland/northumberkand/durham/north and west yorks - different story in london.
Mostly you do train with a specialism - all the people i work with did, and that is the subject you would expect to teach at A level

Professor · 08/03/2011 22:04

Just being nosy here...is it possible to have a degree in history but train to teach physics?

LindyHemming · 08/03/2011 22:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Loshad · 08/03/2011 22:06

no - though you could do a conversion course then train

Professor · 08/03/2011 22:12

Conversion course...where do I find info on them please?

SlightlyMadSpook · 08/03/2011 22:19

Professor - Google Physics enhanement course. You will need the 6-9month one for a conversion.

Missing - would you consider teaching chemistry? If you have a biochem degree you should be able to train in chemistry...you would get a bigger bursary, more likely to get a PGCE place let alone a job (cos the number of biology places have been massacred for Sept) job and once you are qualified you will will actually be able to teach both Chem and Bio to A level. Someone I know on a chem PGCE with a biochem degree is actually doing teaching practice in Bio and CHem to A level.

I am a biologist, currenty doing a physics enhancement course to allow me to do a physics PGCE. When I qualify I expect to teach both physics and biology.

I would say, based on what you have said chemistry is your better route in terms of financial gain in teh short term and employability in the long term.

Keziahhopes · 08/03/2011 22:25

Just to add, although you may specialise in Chemistry/Biology etc, in science many schools offer "science" - ie one teacher often teaches all 3 subjects as KS3, and some students at GCSE take a single or double award, or a BTEC and one teacher, or 2, may share this etc. Might be worth having a look at schools in the area (their websites) where you may wish to work to discover how science is taught?

Physics is the real shortage subject generally in science.

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