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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Which secondary school subject is the best to teach?

57 replies

Thingsgettingstranger · 05/06/2017 16:22

Dd is 16 and has decided on becoming a secondary school teacher. She's researched a lot and knows it's not just school hours and she will work a few extra hours a day and have to plan in advance, which she's prepared to do.

However she's stuck on what subject to teach. She's currently doing her GCSE's and is predicted A/8 or A*/9 across the board in all subjects (she does English, Maths, sep science, history, PE, French and geography). At sixth form she's taking English Literature, Biology, PE and Maths.

Does anyone know which subjects are good to teach at secondary school? She's not hugely keen on maths but took it at a level because she's exceptionally gifted at it. Does anyone have any insight? TIA.

OP posts:

AlexanderHamilton · 05/06/2017 16:23

Enthusiasm for your subject is a huge bonus for a teacher. What subject enthuses her?

Original poster

Thingsgettingstranger · 05/06/2017 16:40

Well she loves biology, PE and English. Any of those 3, but I think PE most as it combines both.

OP posts:

HangingRock · 05/06/2017 16:44

I'm not a teacher but i read on here that MFL have the most shortages and PE teachers have the least shortages. So maybe PE is an attractive subject to teach? I'm only guessing though and hopefully someone in the know will be along.

HangingRock · 05/06/2017 16:44

There's a staffroom topic on here where you could ask

VladmirsPoutine · 05/06/2017 16:45

Physics is where all the funs at.

FourEyesGood · 05/06/2017 16:47

Wherever her passion lies. (And then she should do something else in that field, because teaching is soul-destroying and spiralling downwards.)

titchy · 05/06/2017 16:49

There's an over supply of PE teachers . There's a massive massive massive under supply of maths teachers and financial incentives to try and attract more.

However I'd tell her to do a degree in a subject she loves, and maybe afterwards think about teaching it.

A 16 year olds view of teaching will be vastly different from the reality!

Calyrical · 05/06/2017 16:51

I think with grades like that teaching would be a waste in some ways!

But core subjects are where the jobs lie. Maths would be my recommendation, or physics. As a female she'll be snatched up.

Flyingprettycretonnecurtains · 05/06/2017 16:51

It's far too early to be thinking of this. She will change once A levels start. The uk is awash with pe teachers, there are no science teachers anywhere - possibly David Attenborough might make his next tv programme about these rare, creatures. Mfl is in demand but has the most probs with behaviour as kids don't want to learn languages. She's only 16. She should do a degree in something she loves and then, and only then, go onto pgce. Suggest she volunteers or works with children in some way. A gap year helping run children's clubs somewhere sunny would be good.

Really, far too early days for thinking more than 'teaching' at the mo. A levels are very different from GCSE.

Teachervoice · 05/06/2017 16:52

Also probably worth pointing out to her that 'a few extra hours a week' is more likely to be working from 7:30am until at least 5pm everyday and then taking work home to begin again after dinner time and before bed.

Plus at least one day of the weekend. When training, an NQT, then RQT, you're most likely looking at an entire day every weekend to catch up on marking, plan for the week ahead or analyse data.

Half terms don't exist for teachers but Easter, Christmas and the Summer is usually quite nice. Expect to do revision sessions over Easter though.

cricketballs · 05/06/2017 16:52

Agree that she has to have passion for the subject but also able understand the difficulties some face so if she is naturally gifted at a subject then it can be really hard to grasp the difficulties someone may have.

In terms of current shortages - maths, sciences, MFL are the biggest. At my secondary the only subject where we actually had a pool to interview was PE; all others have been open vacancies and we interview as soon as someone qualified applies (this includes non NC/not facilitating but popular A level subjects)

TheLambShankRedemption · 05/06/2017 16:54

My friend used to teach the sciences but he changed to and stuck with maths as 'the homework is far quicker to mark'

Eolian · 05/06/2017 16:58

I've been a teacher for 20 odd years, but these days do general supply (like many who have had enough of the workload). If your daughter really wants to be a teacher (most teachers at the moment would say "For God's sake, don't do it!"), I would steer her away from English. Definitely go for P.E. Or maths. English has a mahoosive marking workload (on top of all the rest of the crazy workload).

Oh, just noticed she's only 16! Definitely wait a while before deciding on subject then!

LoveB · 05/06/2017 17:00

I think with grades like that teaching would be a waste in some ways!

Calyrical - why? I really, really hate this. If she wants to teach, she should do it. Don't let people put you off what you want to do just because you're "too clever".

If she wanted to be an e.g. hairdresser she could do it - and just be the damn best hairdresser out there.

Anyway, Physics and Maths teachers are being cried out for. I have a feeling Biology and Geography are pretty common. But she should do her favourite subject - with those grades I can't imagine competition will be too much of a problem.

Not all teachers think it's soul destroying. It's hard work in term time, but enjoyable, fun compared to a normal office job (I imagine) and the holidays really are awesome.

Calyrical · 05/06/2017 17:01

I suppose so, Love

But, she is possibly selling herself a bit short.

tinypop4 · 05/06/2017 17:04

As a teacher I would recommend a core subject that isn't at risk or being cut from the curriculum at gcse and a level due to low numbers.
This is coming from a teacher of a non-core creative subject that I love, but after a year out it has been hard to find a new job in my area because of cuts to the curriculum. If she likes a core subject I would recommend this.

noenergy · 05/06/2017 17:04

I would say maths as that's my subject and there is quite a shortage and the marking is easier than a lot of other subjects, but she is still quite young. A levels are a lot harder than GCSEs. If she still insists that she wants to teach when it comes to the time of uni choices then I recommend doing a degree first then her PGCE so that she has something to fall back on if teaching isn't for her.

3boys3dogshelp · 05/06/2017 17:08

Calyrical - this is exactly what my physics teacher said to my parents. They listened and very strongly talked me out of teaching and into a profession which needs exceptional grades to get into. I loved the course, passed with honours, hate the job. Seriously considering packing it in to be a teacher, except now I'll have to pay a fortune and train while I have children.

Beyondworried · 05/06/2017 17:10

I think with grades like that teaching would be a waste in some ways!

And what in the name of fuck do you mean by that?

Calyrical · 05/06/2017 17:14

I mean that she could do anything. Jobs that pay better, are less stress and have less hassle.

3boys people can only steer you towards things. I presume no one explicitly forbade you to teach!

onlyconnect · 05/06/2017 17:19

I think MFL are especially hard to teach. But there is always a shortage so easy to get a job. Really though your daughter should do A levels in the subjects she likes the most and think then about what degree she'd like to do.

Original poster

Thingsgettingstranger · 05/06/2017 17:21

She did have a couple of other ideas - psychologist, nurse, journalist, but really wants to do teaching. Obviously she's got time to change her mind but just wanted to see peoples opinions if she ends up going down that route.

OP posts:

Tinkerbec · 05/06/2017 17:21

A core subject has a bigger Department so more jobs.
I teach Maths and Science there are pros and cons to both.

Definitely a passion for the subject helps.

MickeyRooney · 05/06/2017 17:21

there's a reason why teachers are leaving the profession in their droves.
i presume she has researched why this is....

TheZeppo · 05/06/2017 17:23

I knew I wanted to be an English teacher at 16, so don't necessarily agree it's too young to be thinking about it.

That said, 11 years later the marking is beginning to grate. I have the same amount of frees as all other subjects and seemingly endless marking.

If she wants to get into SLT, PE is the way forward

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