Teaching Training

[QWE96]

Hi. I'm looking for some advice on teacher training. I went to a Train to Teach event at the beginning of the year but it was so busy I didn't get to speak to many people.

I'm currently studying a degree and will be graduating July 2021. I'm also a single parent to a nearly 2 year old. His dad has him two days and one night a week.

I want to train as a secondary history teacher and I've seen salaried positions for teaching training in London so will hope to move there (only 30 minute train from where I currently live).

I've looked into the 30 hours childcare for 3/4 year olds. Is the workload manageable or is teaching training too intense to do with a small child?

I did it 16 years ago when I didn't have a boyfriend and I have never worked so hard in my life. Up until recently I trained trainee and new teachers and I could not do all the things they were asked to do - it is both unreasonable and unnecessary. Having said that - I know of one mature student who also had three young children and she managed it. (She cried a lot and didn't do much housework) but she did get to the other side.

I think its a good job, I think its interesting and creative, with lots of possibility for development. It also attracts hardworking and lovely people so over the years my colleagues have been excellent.

If, you do do it - have in mind that you will be working 7am - 7pm plus at the weekends and if, you work less than that - its a bonus. Do not go into it thinking people who tell you its a lot of work are being doomsayers and you will be the one who will be able to 'buck the trend' or you won't need to work like that.

I had a mentee a few years ago that had a dc same ages as yours & also a single parent. It is an credibly full on year & you are constantly working. As well as the time spent working in school you also have to do a lot of work outside. You need to be very organised and have a good support network.
As well as doing the teaching based work you will also have plenty of work to do for your QTS.
Good luck op

Thank you for your replies.

The work-life balance is something I've heard before and obviously is a concern for me given that my DC is still young. I think I'll wait a few years and approach the possibility again then.

I did tutoring before entering teaching. It might be worth it to gain experience of the syllabuses. I think a lot of people will be looking with all the disruption this year.

I’d probably wait a couple of years if I were you, OP. Remember that during training, you will be expected to work evenings as well: either at home marking and planning for the next day, or physically in the school to observe/take part in parents’ evenings and events.

If your little one is still very much needing you at home for bedtime, or you don’t have a good support network, maybe giving yourself a couple of years would be a good idea.

I’d ask at local schools if you could come in and do a bit of teacher shadowing if I were you, as you will be asked about school experience at application.

I did it last year and it was perfectly doable (single parent, 4DC and house move included, but I had support from my parents) I am coming to the end of my first NQT year (part-time) and have applied to a different industry. It’s not the children, the work, OFSTED, it’s the parents.
Might be better in secondary though.

Best advice I’ve seen on “should I teach” posts is to only consider it if:

• You have cast-iron personal work/life boundaries.
• You have excellent mental health.
• You are not a perfectionist / people pleaser.

If you can say yes to the above then it’s worth considering further. If yes to any of the above then I would seriously advise against it.