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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to teach myself A-Levels and then become a maths teacher?

60 replies

amammabear · 27/01/2017 13:02

For background, I have studied A-levels, and had some university education, however, not in this field. At primary school, I was very gifted in Maths, to such an extent that at age 8 I was studying at a secondary school level. However, when I changed primary schools, they refused to stream and put me back at the same level as all the other 8 year olds- at this point I simply switched off to maths. I never made a fuss about it, I simply didn't put in any effort. I'll put some more background in a comment or this will be a very long post!

I'm now seriously considering training to be a maths teacher- but of course I have no relevant qualifications beyond GCSE. It doesn't seem possible to do any kind of access to this without a maths A-level (although if anyone knows a way- please do tell me!) and trying to find places to study it online seem to charge huge amounts, so I'm considering teaching myself- but I haven't a clue where to start with material etc.

Am I expecting too much? What if I'm no longer as capable as I was? How on earth will I manage the study? argh...

OP posts:
Original poster
amammabear · 27/01/2017 14:20

I won''t mention my previous profession as it's very identifying, but I don't think people would be worried about my ability to work with young people, large groups, leading etc if they did know it. I know that sounds a little silly after having mentioned so much in my background, but there are actually very few people in rl that know all about that as I don't like to mention that sort of thing as my experience is that people think I'm bragging and tend to treat me differently.

I definitely wouldn't want to teach at primary level however. What I would really love to do, I realise there isn't actually much scope for in reality, but I would like to see how far I CAN manage to go with it if that makes sense.

OP posts:
booklooker · 27/01/2017 14:54

From a previous poster You are clearly gifted in maths

You are not

You need to experience the reality of A level maths, and then move into undergraduate level courses.

And only then consider whether you are capable of inspiring young people to enjoy and succeed in mathematics.

I would wish you luck, but it is passion you need rather than luck

MrsWhiteWash · 27/01/2017 14:58

Do open university maths courses instead to add to points towards a degree.

^^ This.

Original poster
amammabear · 27/01/2017 15:13

I've just sat through this... mcs.open.ac.uk/mu123/

I've done all three levels, only resorted to using a calculator on two questions (although only one question specifically told you not to use a calculator anyway) and got 100% on both lower levels and 81% on level three, and with distractions, not under good study conditions, so actually it says I could go straight on to any of their maths courses (there is a quiz to consider whether you should do their intensive option, but I'll do that later under better conditions) so I think I might start looking into doing this seeing as it doesn't require an A-Level at all.

I'm a little surprised actually.

OP posts:
booklooker · 27/01/2017 16:00

amammabear I have looked through the Open Uni questioons you attempted.

To be quite honest any 13/14 y/o should have been able to answer them.

It was all basic arithmetic. If you needed a calculator for any of that, please do not even consider teaching Maths

isthistoonosy · 27/01/2017 16:10

Level one OU is very easy stuff their big jump is between level 1 and 2. Its defiantly the way I'd go.
I'm planning to do level 1 science soon with no science A levels.

PurpleDaisies · 27/01/2017 16:13

This module is sometimes accepted as an acceptable equivalent qualification to GCSE grade C in mathematics by teacher training institutions, but always at the discretion of each institution. So, if you hope to use it for this purpose, you are advised to check as early as possible with your chosen teacher training institution(s).

This is what the OU says discovering maths module is equivalent to.

zznotxy · 27/01/2017 16:15

Buy AS/A2 for Dummies and see how you go, a good book and not too expensive - I used it to coach my daughter.

Original poster
amammabear · 27/01/2017 16:26

booklooker, the only one I used the calculator on was to do a large square root, with a toddler to keep an eye on and a phone call at the same time, I don't think that's bad.

purpledaisies, that's the first module of the degree, so if it's only equivalent to a C at GCSE, it's a very gentle start- I'm surprised that such a basic level is even included in a degree to be honest.

OP posts:
Original poster
amammabear · 27/01/2017 16:27

isthistoonosy- it does seem incredibly basic at level one doesn't it!

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 27/01/2017 16:27

It doesn't assume any prior knowledge of algebra so I'd really hope if gets more difficult more quickly if you're wanting it to be a maths degree equivalent at the end.

PurpleDaisies · 27/01/2017 16:28

Can you skip level one and find the a level equivalent modules? I don't know how the OU works.

FearTheLiving · 27/01/2017 16:32

Do an access course. It only takes 10 months and if you get the grades it will get you into uni. I'm just finishing one now in maths and physics. It's incredibly hard though and will definitely require a lot of study. That test you posted just now is something anyone with a gcse would be able to do.

Original poster
amammabear · 27/01/2017 16:41

Feartheliving, I'm not eligible for an access course unfortunately, I have looked at them.

Purpledaisies, I could skip the lower modules, but wouldn't then have enough credits for the degree- but there is the intensive option that I haven't looked at yet.

OP posts:
Caterina99 · 27/01/2017 16:43

I did a maths degree and trained to be a secondary school maths teacher. To be honest if you actually enjoy maths and are really good at it then this is not the job for you in my opinion. The majority of your time is admin and crowd control. Teaching can be a very difficult job.

Definitely look into doing a level or open university for your own enjoyment. Then spend some time in a school for experience. You usually need a degree and then a pgce. Also, if you are disabled and unable to work full time, the pgce year is very challenging both physically and mentally. However extra education in any form will benefit you somehow so good luck!

TheFallenMadonna · 27/01/2017 16:55

This quiz is to see if you are ready for a level 1 OU Maths course.

SolomanDaisy · 27/01/2017 16:58

purpledaisies, that's not saying it's gcse equivalent. It's a 60 credit degree level course. The whole point of the OU is that it allows people with no qualifications to access degree level work. You can't skip to the second year of a degree with a gcse FFS.

PurpleDaisies · 27/01/2017 17:02

www.open.ac.uk/courses/modules/mu123

This is what the op was talking about. It's 30 credits not 60. It doesn't assume any knowledge of algebra. The op was talking about wanting to do A level maths so that module doesn't look suitable and I was suggesting she should look for other modules that are. There's no need to be snarky.

TheFallenMadonna · 27/01/2017 17:02

It's a 30 credit course, and you need a further 3 courses to go to level 2. It is the one you can leave out if you are confident in Maths.

EnormousTiger · 27/01/2017 17:11

If you're ace at maths why not code or write algorithms for share trading programs and make millions? Why do teaching? Also if you code at home and own a trading business you can do that from home with a disablity much more easily than teaching. Even becoming an actuary would be easier and much much much better paid for someone good at maths than just teaching. I am a lawyer and use a lot of maths every day. I think limiting yourself to just teaching maths is setting your sights far too low on the pay front and just about every teacher on mumsnet will tell you how awful teaching jobs are too.

Original poster
amammabear · 27/01/2017 17:13

TheFallenMadonna- That's what I'm thinking about doing at the moment.

OP posts:
TheFallenMadonna · 27/01/2017 17:14

For balance, I'm going to add that I love teaching, and Maths is a great subject to teach.

Original poster
amammabear · 27/01/2017 17:17

It seems that with the Intensive start, you still have to complete a module of that number of credits, but you can choose any other module, not having to do the Discovering Mathematics module, so it could be more interesting to do it that way, as you can do absolutely anything.

OP posts:
Original poster
amammabear · 27/01/2017 17:20

EnormousTiger- I think what I'm looking at right now is doing just maths as the degree, then progressing to a teaching qualification afterwards- so I would always have the chance to change that plan after the degree and not be tied in.

OP posts:
TheFallenMadonna · 27/01/2017 17:21

I didn't do any level 1 courses for my OU degree (already had a degree in a different subject). However, there were no required level 1 courses, unlike for Maths, and I suspect you would need to show evidence of study at that level in the topics covered. There are several of those "are you ready for" quizzes for Maths. I would have a look and see. Have you done any Maths beyond GCSE?

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