Is now a good time?

[Maisiesaves]

Hello all!

I am a long-time user of MN, a some-time poster, and frequent name-changer!

AIBU to ask if there are any uni-goers out there (past or present) who are not living at home with parents, who are parents themselves? AIBU to ask how you managed it financially??

I am soon to be 27. Have a 6 year old. Live with husband. I've just been made bankrupt. I work part-time in a school and never went to Uni when I was younger as I just couldn't make up my mind what I wanted to study! Now I know. I want to train to be a teacher. Ideally via a teaching degree, or via studying a degree and then completing a PGCE. But I am worried it'd be a bad decision financially. Can anyone shed any light on this?? I think my husband worries more about the finances, so I wanted to come to the fount of all knowledge that is MN to provide some case studies for him! :') (I know it is different for everyone but having a general idea would help!)

I am looking to study full-time. I've spoken to a colleague who is on their last year of the course I want to do to get an idea of what the timetable was like at the beginning of the course. I am also aware I am past the deadline so my application may not be considered for any courses but there's always clearing!

Currently, husband works full-time (13k per year). I work part-time (7k per year). We get Universal Credit - no help with rent, Child benefit and DLA for son who has a disability. My claim for carer's allowance is currently suspended, but I won't be eligible for this if I become a full-time student. I will work when I can around uni to keep some income coming in that way.

Is it doable?? What kind of grants and bursaries did you get/for what amount?

Thanks in advance! :)

I've spoken to a colleague who is on their last year of the course I want to do
First thing you need to do is establish if you have the required qualifications to do the course. Even if you did appropriate A levels age 18 that's quite a while ago now and you may need to show evidence of recent, rigorous academic study. Give the Admissions Team a ring tomorrow and they will be able to talk you through your options.
Once you know if you can actually do the course or not you can look into the financial side. I know you could do it either way around but personally I'd only start looking into the financials if I knew there was a chance of being accepted onto the course.

Thank you for the reply, Boyskeepswinging!

I will talk to the admissions team. In researching my options, I am confident I'd be accepted on to a higher education course. I had good A-Level results, which I completed 8 years ago and I finished a Level 3 Diploma in the September just gone, having completed other learning and courses in the intervening years. The courses I am applying for require an interview where I can discuss my previous CPD and experience working in a school as a Teaching Assistant for the past 4 years and SEN experience. So that part isn't the issue for me, but I will give the Unis a ring and see what support would be available.

Thanks again! :)

No worries and very best of luck with it all!

My mum did a degree with the OU while I was at school. She worked full time and studied in the evenings and weekends, which is how she managed it financially. Then she did a PGCE so took a hit for a year, but could earn much more as a teacher than her previous job (school admin).

I trained as a teacher, but I did it the easy way, before having my own kids. I do know that there are several subjects/routes that offer bursaries. As you seem to already have classroom experience, I think you’d be in a good position to apply for a paid ‘schools direct’ place once you have a degree, which I seem to recall can have a pretty decent bursary. Someone I know got something like £17k for a maths placement. There’s a teacher shortage, schools are desperate to fill vacancies and (whether you agree with it or not) academisation has given schools far more power to bend the rules around hiring and paying staff.

What area of teaching do you want to train in?

getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/explore-my-options/teacher-training-routes/university-led-training/university-led-undergraduate-training/funding-for-undergraduate-teacher-training

Thanks @Waveysnail. I have booked a phone call with get into teaching to talk through my options. I'm doing all my research and adding up numbers and I think it will be doable. I will work around studying and have school holidays to work, too.

My chosen route is primary education with qualified teacher status, but I have included other courses which I would also be interested in studying and then completing a PGCE to become a teacher.

@Kolo, I want to train to be a Primary school teacher. I know all about academisation, as my school is going through the process atm. I've seen it all... to be honest, my long-term goal is head teacher, or a member of the senior leadership team and being involved in making decisions for the school, training colleagues etc, or being a senco. All of which require being a qualified teacher first! In my current role as teaching assistant, I have covered classes and I just love it! Are you still a teacher, out of interest, @Kolo?