Has anyone gone on to do teacher training in their late 30's?

[lentilcurl]

Considering it but not sure of the route to PGCE later in life. I have a first degree from a decent university but have been in office/corporate work ever since. Really wish I'd done it straight after university to be honest but like to think it's not too late!

Has anyone done this and how did you go about it?

DH works in a school with a higher than average proportion of late-training teachers. Some of them did the old GTP where you train on the job, some saved up money and then did a PGCE. I think the GTP is now called School Direct.

As a teacher, this is very common. Not at all unusual. No one would even think twice about your age. I'd say there's probably an even split in trainees between those straight out of uni and career changers.

I started when I was 41. My course was a distance learning one, so one week in university, lots of research and home learning together with the usual school placements. It was slightly longer than a " normal" PGCE- 18 months but it meant I could complete coursework during the day when my children were at school. Pretty much everyone on the course was a mature student. I really enjoyed it and love teaching!

@spanieleyes I did t know that could be done could you advise who does this?

I have my degree & ive been actively looking for a PGCE but I live in NI & they’re are so few places. Plus we need experience before we can apply.

I did my PGCE in my early 30s and most of us were mature students.

I did mine late 40s, unfortunately poor health meant I did not complete my second placement.

What subject are you thinking of OP? You might benefit from looking at bursaries.

There's also a group called Now Teach which is aimed at people from the corporate world to switch to teaching - founded by a journalist at the FT who retrained in her 50s I believe.

Don’t do it.

Secondary or primary? What's your degree in?

I've known a few people to retrain as a teacher. Warning though, the bursary has been cut in pretty much all subjects so unless you're looking at doing a very specific science/maths/computer route then you're unlikely to be 'paid to train'.

Yes, secondary or primary? I did primary late. The course was mostly full of youngsters, contrary to what’s said on here, and mostly full in fact of those who had close family relations in teaching already, just waiting to give them hands up. I was actively discouraged, and no longer have much faith in schools or teachers as a result tbh.

You need experience first, either as TA if you can get it, or voluntary. You’ll need voluntary experience to get TA work, and the pay is then shit for what you’re expected to do. There’s too much politicking in schools and not enough education imo.

I did a maths PGCE in my mid-30s after spending 10+ years working in an office job. At least half were my age or older.

I only did a few years in the classroom before deciding it wasn't for me and went back to the analytical work that I love so much. I did go on to to a masters in education though. I got credit through 2 assignments I had to complete as part of the PGCE and it seemed a shame to waste them!

I found the expectations vs. pay ridiculous, too much politics & monitoring vs teaching.

For the OP or anyone else considering a change of career in the next year. There's only real financial incentive for Maths, Chemistry, Physics and Computer Science.

getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/funding-my-teacher-training/bursaries-and-scholarships-for-teacher-training

I’m doing it in my 50s after an office based career. About half the people on my programme (Schools Direct) are 30-45.
I saved up as I’m doing primary which doesn’t attract a bursary and wouldn’t have got a paid place due to lack of experience.
The biggest difficulties people seem to be facing are: getting used to learning again, getting used to receiving feedback in a constructive way, coping with childcare (especially in Covid times where children keep being sent home to isolate).
If you do a google search for Get into Teaching they will allocate you an adviser who will talk through your options and advise you on your application.

@CallmeMrsScavo

As a teacher, this is very common. Not at all unusual. No one would even think twice about your age. I'd say there's probably an even split in trainees between those straight out of uni and career changers.

Agree, I teach in schools throughout the county and have seen a large number of mature NQTs and students mixed in with those in their 20s.