to give up my aspiration to become a primary school teacher?

[bollywoodfan]

I already have a degree so need to do the PGCE primary course. I first need to do some work experience in order to apply for the course. Then I will have to pay around £9000 for the course and once completed find a job - which I've been told is not easy because there aren't alot of posts available.
I have got a DS already at school and a 1 year old DD. I was intending to wait to start my course when she is 3 so that we get a bit of help with childcare costs. I am being made redundant from current job and money is going to be very tight. I would probably have to take a loan to help with childcare costs & living expenses while doing the course.
So after all the time it will take me to actually get a job, obviously I am worried whether it actually be worth it. I currently work in the financial sector and know that performance related pay is an excuse to withold pay rises. They make the targets so high that you can't reach them - yes this is what they actually do. I feel that I will be stuck on a low salary after spending so much time, money and effort.
Obviously I don't want to go into teaching for the 'good' pay - I do actually want to do it. It has been my long term plan since ds was small, but I knew I wanted another dc so wanted to start when I could do it with full commitment and not take another break for dc iykwim.
I am nearly in tears writing this because I feel that

[99problems]

Ijust yes definitely get 9000 for primary PGCE if you have a first- 11,000 if you specialise in maths at primary. The TA website gives more info:

www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/funding/postgraduate-funding

On top of that can apply for a student loan and grant, so luckily, financially I should be fine

[Bramshott]

If you are moving from the financial sector, have you considered secondary maths teaching? Might well be easier to find a job?

[IJustWoreMyTrenchcoat]

I could have wrote this OP, I too am being made redundant (at the end of the year), but by then I will have a new born baby and it seems unlikely I will have the time to commit to a PGCE. I have heard the course is very full on, and on top of that I need experience in a school before I even apply.

I have always had teaching in my mind, but fell in to a job straight out of uni to pay the bills. I fear I will always just have to take a job that has nothing to do with my ambitions and goals just to get by.

99problems Do you really get a £9000 bursary for getting a first? I thought something like that might not apply to primary and only senior teaching. I have a First.... Will have to look into it. I thought I might get help if I did a PGCE in the future and had a dependent child.

[mumandboys123]

am doing a PGCE at the moment but in secondary. Already have a job secured for September although I count myself lucky as very, very few have been advertised up to now. I am a career changer - 20 years doing something else. It is very different and very frustrating most of the time but overall I enjoy it. I am also a single parent and am managing. It is a question of organisation which I am learning...slowly!

[99problems]

This may seem like a stupid question bluer but does a pgce from and English university allow you to teach in Scotland?

[TheNebulousBoojum]

So she's obviously decided that she doesn't want to be a teacher.

[StuffezLaBouche]

Yes

[bluer]

I second the come to Scotland and teach! ! We seem to be better paid, work better hours and don't have sats etc!
However I've been flamed on another thread for claiming that anyone who says they work 90 hours a week is lying so maybe ignore me!

[99problems]

Oh god these posts make for depressing reading! I have got onto a Primary PGCE starting Sep and have a 4 y/o ds, so am really concerned about handling it. I'm lucky in that I live at home with parents still. I'm getting a 9K bursary that will fund it (got a 1st in my degree so get the full lot paid luckily) but I'm pretty sure graduates with 2:1 get 5k?

I know 3 people who have done Primary PGCE and all got full-time job offers before the end of their PGCEs though...

[Dozer]

Why not consider secondary teaching? More people earn higher salaries in secondary teaching, and depending on subject may be more jobs available.

Or alternative private sector jobs using your skills from banking?

[Phineyj]

I'm a career changer into secondary teaching (Economics) and have found it hard work but doable. The hours are no worse than in other demanding jobs I've done, when averaged out over the year. However, I like my school a lot and we are a good fit for each other. IMO that is massively important -- I can't imagine doing the amount of work for somewhere I hated, especially given that the salary is not overly generous when you start.

If you are really concerned about pay don't rule out secondary if there is a subject you could do, especially a shortage one. There are more TLR opportunities in secondary, I'd say (payments for extra responsibilities), plus it's more likely you'd be able to be part time if you found the hours too long to be compatible with DC. I also think there tend to be more vacancies in secondary. Work experience in finance could also be an asset in secondary especially in the SE, which it wouldn't be at primary.

[EcoLady]

I'm a career changer into primary teaching, having done PGCE with two DCs. It is the toughest thing ever... and now I am up to my eyes in my NQT post.

My DCs hardly saw me for a year and DH ran the home entirely. I had a student loan for fees and some maintenance, plus a small grant (means tested against DH's salary).

The work can fill every available hour and them some more. I lost 2 stone in weight and learned to manage on a lot less sleep.

But, you know what? I LOVE IT!!! I don't regret it for one second. I have learned to decide what really needs doing and what can actually wait. I got loads of laminating and planning done today on a snow day - stuff that has previously waited. The DCs know when I am available and I make distinct times just for them. They are very proud of what I have achieved ... plus they are great for resources, ideas and slave labour.

Go for it.

[Mybumissquidgy]

Thanks euphemia! Off to have a read now :)

[BlackholesAndRevelations]

I think it'd be a long, hard old slog to get qualified and find a job, but if you want it, do it! And I speak as a teacher who agrees with all the other teachers saying that they love teaching but not all the other crap that goes with it. I put my heart and soul into the job, and all my time. I quickly realised when I met dp that it was unsustainable and that I'd kill myself if I tried. Fast forward about 7 years and I'm getting to that disillusioned stage that I said id leave teaching before I got to. (if that makes any sense?!) still adore teaching but with two small dc I'm finding it a drain on all of my resources, and I don't spend anywhere near enough time with them during term time (ie, no time at all). Believe me, you won't believe any of this stuff til you get in thee and start doing it. You might find you are one of the lucky ones who ends up in a school that is good to work at.

[ninah]

noble that's great, since this thread started the prospect of a job share looks even more likely! jobshare in a struggling school, or full time in a good school -that's another dilemma I suppose. Or maybe I should move to Scotland ...

[sherazade]

I did a full time PGCE with a 2 year old and 3 year old. I didn't neglect them. It wasn't easy but it is do-able if you are super organised. There's alot of nonsense that you won't ever need once you're a teacher policies and procedures to learn/read up on/ reflect, essays to write but it's not difficult, it is just the sheer volume of work. If you are highly driven, effecient and cope well under pressure you will be fine. And it is only a year of your life.

I love teaching and don't live in fear of OFSTED. The paperwork is tough in the first year but gets easier. Go for it if its somethintg you really want to do.

[Mybumissquidgy]

Ooh euphemia has got me interested too! Where do I sign up?!

[YorkshireDeb]

You've done a good sales pitch euphemia. I'm on my way. X

[thegreylady]

I taught for 30 years I was ready to retire by the end but it was a fulfilling and interesting career and there is nothing that fits better with having dc.My own dd is a teacher and is gradually increasing her part time hours ready to go back full time when her youngest has finished Reception.
The paperwork etc has increased 1000 fold since my time but dd says that if you do the job properly you have nothing to fear from assessment.

[Flisspaps]

DHis a teacher, secondary. There's nothing he's said or shown me that's knocked this need I have to train!