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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is 34 to old to get into teaching?

58 replies

MincePieFlavouredVoidka · 02/12/2011 11:27

I hope not :(

I am 29 and have applied to do a History degree starting next September as I would really love to teach History at Secondary level. I have always wanted to do it, but having the DC's got in the way, and I dont think I had the confidence before.

But by the time have done a PGCE I will be 34. Is that too old for an NQT?

OP posts:
Sloobreeus · 02/12/2011 13:48

No, not at all! If you've the time to train, the will, the ability and the stamina go for it! I wouldn't do it but then I am not quite so youthful rubbing my hands at the thought of my bus pass and some freedom

Pursang · 02/12/2011 13:58

Definitely not...in fact, I think it works to your advantage. Tend to get taken a little bit more seriously by both pupils and staff, imo (not condoning it, just my observations).

TroublesomeEx · 02/12/2011 14:00

Fiendishlie - I completely get where you are coming from! I too was bullied in a way I'd never experienced as a child or adult before and in a way that I probably wouldn't have believed had I read it as someone else's experience on here!

You were bullied because of your disability. If it hadn't been that, it would have been something else.

I was told by a TA that I shouldn't take it seriously and my face just didn't fit. Nice.

Fiendishlie · 02/12/2011 14:46

yy FolkGirl, it sounds like you have experienced the same thing. I would never have believed it possible if someone had told me. I have mobility problms due to a spinal condition. I was disciplined for 'sitting down too much' in class. My tutor room was moved to the other side of the campus and then I was disciplined for being 'late' for lessons as I had to get across the campus (500 metres) after tutor time in zero seconds (literally - no transfer time between sessions). I could go on...

TroublesomeEx · 02/12/2011 15:36

Sounds awful Fiendishlie. I really felt that my experience could be summed up as "being set up to fail" and it sounds as though that was yours too.

I had a whole catalogue of things - some biggies, mostly just lots of little things. It was pretty much everything on every day. I loved the children but hated the whole experience.

For example:

I was told I categorically did not need to do things (it was during my NQT year and the following year) and being new, I knew no different. Even checking up the day before to make sure I'd understood properly, then getting texts from my phase leader whilst on the way to work which said "I hope you've done/brought X it's needed for the meeting after school".

I was given no support and when I asked how to do something received the stock "just do it however you want, I'm sure it will be fine" Hmm Then telling them how I was going to do it (just to be sure) being shooed away with a "yes that's fine! I told you to do it however you want" Then at the next book trawl/observation/monitoring was raked over the hot coals for having done it the way I had. When I said "but I checked and was told..." got "yes, but why on earth would I have thought you'd do it like that?!" Which was even worse when it happened in staff meetings in front of everyone smirking and sideways glancing. It got to the point where I was doubting and checking and double checking everything. I was spending my lunchtimes avoiding the staffroom and hiding in the toilets crying. I couldn't sleep. It was horrendous.

I've since worked elsewhere and seen how the NQT was supported and it was brilliant, she really blossomed through her first year.

I, on the other hand, was left a nervous wreck, only able to cope with short term cover contracts, with my confidence completely destroyed and a mound of self doubt.

I've never experienced anything like it anywhere else. :(

TroublesomeEx · 02/12/2011 15:41

My last school was great, but then I ended up a victim of the cuts!!!

I don't know.

OP, it's hard work and great if you get a good school but can be awful if you don't.

Fiendishlie · 02/12/2011 16:31

I started having panic attacks and anxiety problems. I wouldn't recommend it OP, sorry.

EcoLady · 02/12/2011 16:31

To return to the OP's question - I'm doing my PGCE now and I've just turned 43. I am not the oldest in my group.

Get some time in a classroom, see how you feel about it, and GO FOR IT!

MaryBeWaiting · 02/12/2011 16:38

My sister is 35 and started her PGCE in September.

TroublesomeEx · 02/12/2011 16:40

Fiendishlie - same here too!

OP, I think the crux for me is that it was nothing like working anywhere else. It's quite a unique environment. That said, it must depend on the quality of the management otherwise so many people wouldn't have such good experiences and love it so much.

I think that the people who never been out of education (pupil - student - teacher) are very different to those who go into it later in life (IME) and there are advantages/disadvantages to both both for you, your colleagues and your pupils. EcoLady is right, make sure you have some time in the classroom to see how you feel about it. If it's still what you want to do, then good luck.

milkandnosugar · 02/12/2011 17:06

Not at all - go for it. (Excluding the fact that there are pretty much no jobs right now- its a great job). Remember when they want to raise our retirement age to 70, at teacher at 34 is gonna be a mere baby.

Primrose123 · 02/12/2011 17:20

I am doing a PGCE now, and I'm 40. Good luck!

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 02/12/2011 17:36

Definitely not too late, but just a warning that History jobs are few and far between at the moment. From what I understand it is also hard to get onto the PGCE / GTP courses for history. This may change because of the introduction of the English Baccalaureate, but if you have any interest in another subject (especially English, maths or a science) it might be worth considering a joint honours degree / ITT to widen your job opportunities.

bigTillyMint · 02/12/2011 17:38

Definitely not - my friend is 46 and is just into her second year. I knew she would make a great teacherSmile

anewyear · 02/12/2011 17:46

Course not, A TA in our school is on a teacher training course.
Shes in her early 50s
Ive just started collage (Im 45) to do my Nvq level 3 in Childcare there are lots of 'older' ladies there with me Grin

lynyrdskynyrd · 02/12/2011 18:39

No I did it when I was in my late 30s. I wouldnt do it again though!

Ilovegeorgeclooney · 02/12/2011 18:40

I was interviewing today for a teaching post for Sept, we interviewed 4 PGCE students: 23; 32; 34 and 45. We gave the job to the 45 year old.

greenbananas · 02/12/2011 18:56

My sister is 38, finished her PGCE this summer and has landed herself a job despite huge competition. (She and I don't see eye to eye at all, but there is no doubt at all that she will be a truly brilliant teacher.)

Our mum was about 36 when she qualified as a teacher. She was a headteacher within about 6 years, and by the time she was 50 she was a super-head, drafted in by the Local Authority to 'save' failing schools. Her funeral was packed with bigwigs from the education world.

It may not be easy, but it can definitely be done.

greenbananas · 02/12/2011 18:59

Good advice to get some experience in a classroom first. Not only will this help you make up your mind about whether or not teaching is what you want to do, it will also give you a major advantage when you are applying for jobs.

bex2011 · 02/12/2011 19:00

No. Once i've had all my children, I plan to train to teach and I'll be closer to 40. On a cheery note, if you qualify at 34 and retire at 65 (or later), you'll be teaching for over 30 years!

KaraStarbuckThrace · 02/12/2011 19:33

I am so glad I saw this thread! I thought about being a science teacher years ago, but felt i lacked the confidence.
However have been recently thinking about career options, as I am currently on ML with my DD (am currently self employed), and thought again about being a teacher.
Silly question but how would you go about getting classroom experience? Volunteer as a parent helper at school? I have a DS who will be starting school in September.
I'm 36 BTW!

greenbananas · 02/12/2011 19:34

Yes, volunteering as a parent helper is a great idea. If you tell the headteacher you are thinking about training as a teacher, then s/he is likely to -take advantage of you hugely- give you plenty of really useful work experience.

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 02/12/2011 19:36

Just call a school & ask if you can go in & observe for a few days / a week. Most pgce courses request that you've spent at least a week in a school before you apply so most schools are used to such requests. It's obviously easier if you have teacher friends as they could arrange it no problem.

Themumsnot · 02/12/2011 19:39

I'm 47 and currently on a PGCE. I can honestly say I'm having the time of my life. So far I've come across no discrimination at all - apart from having to persuade my 21 year old classmates that it really was OK to swear in front of me - bless!

KaraStarbuckThrace · 02/12/2011 19:41

Thanks :) Will definitely look into it! I plan to get back into my self/employment to build up some savings, realistically I don't think I would be starting a PGCE until Sep 13. Unfortunately I don't think I will get a bursery as I only have a 3rd class honours degree.

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