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AIBU?

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Original poster

To retrain as a teacher at 54?

147 replies

Goblincore · 04/08/2021 09:59

The job I currently have is looking like it might not go on for much longer. Its a design and marketing role that I've had for years. I have a degree in English Literature and was looking at pgce
There's a good one at Exeter University which isn't a million miles away.

Am I mad to consider it? I'm sure English teachers are ten a penny wishes she'd done computer science or something

I mean they probably won't accept me anyway.

OP posts:
Cupoftea53 · 04/08/2021 10:01

Definitely go for it. My friend trained as a TA in her 50s and loves it. If you have the skills, then why not.

Xdecd · 04/08/2021 10:01

I know someone who has just qualified in her mid fifties. It's been tough, she's permanently exhausted...but she loves it! If you really want to do it, go for it!

Original poster
Goblincore · 04/08/2021 10:02

I have no idea if I have the skills Grin

I volunteer at a sports club and I absolutely love working with the kids that's all I can say

OP posts:
susiebluebell · 04/08/2021 10:03

Some of the best teachers I had were ones who came to it late. And good English teachers are worth ten of an average one. The PGCE is known to be hard work though, as are the first few years after qualifying. Could you do one of the schemes where you go straight into the classroom and qualify as you go?

Original poster
Goblincore · 04/08/2021 10:04

@susiebluebell

Some of the best teachers I had were ones who came to it late. And good English teachers are worth ten of an average one. The PGCE is known to be hard work though, as are the first few years after qualifying. Could you do one of the schemes where you go straight into the classroom and qualify as you go?
The only one of these I could find seemed to only want maths/science/geography teachers
OP posts:
Cap89 · 04/08/2021 10:07

I’d go for it if you think you’d enjoy it. Chances are if the seed has now been placed in your brain, you won’t be able to stop wondering about it and might well regret not going for it when you had the chance. Teaching is tough and I needed a break after 10 years, but it’s a wonderful job a lot of the time. And English teachers are always in demand. English departments are big simply because of the huge numbers of children taking the subject and the importance placed on it, so it has a lot of allocated timetable space. The last school I taught in which was a very good school almost always had NQTs and at least one agency staff member in the English dept. So don’t let that put you off.

Reenskar · 04/08/2021 10:07

It’s bloody hard work but don’t let your age put you off! Your life experience will go a long way, also the kids won’t know you are newly qualified and it should help a bit with your authority that you are older. Be prepared to feel like you are living underground for your PGCE year though.

Have you had any experience in a school? Most training providers would expect you to have spent a few days observing in a school so you’ve got an idea of what you’re letting yourself in for.

Good luck!Smile

Reenskar · 04/08/2021 10:08

Just seen your post about your volunteering- that’s great experience for your application if you haven’t spent time in a school.

Scarby9 · 04/08/2021 10:09

We trained (School Direct) two 57 year old secondary science teachers last year and a mid-50s primary trainee.
It is definitely doable.

Cap89 · 04/08/2021 10:09

@susiebluebell

Some of the best teachers I had were ones who came to it late. And good English teachers are worth ten of an average one. The PGCE is known to be hard work though, as are the first few years after qualifying. Could you do one of the schemes where you go straight into the classroom and qualify as you go?
I trained this way and while brilliant, it is very very intense. I would actually opt for the pgce if I was retraining later in life.
Original poster
Goblincore · 04/08/2021 10:09

@Reenskar

It’s bloody hard work but don’t let your age put you off! Your life experience will go a long way, also the kids won’t know you are newly qualified and it should help a bit with your authority that you are older. Be prepared to feel like you are living underground for your PGCE year though.

Have you had any experience in a school? Most training providers would expect you to have spent a few days observing in a school so you’ve got an idea of what you’re letting yourself in for.

Good luck!Smile

No, none. Good idea though.

I think I'd be really good at it Blush

Probably should have done it originally tbh

OP posts:
superram · 04/08/2021 10:10

Yanbu, though I’m a teacher and wouldn’t. Competition for jobs is tougher (as you’ve realised) than other subjects which is why there are few bursaries/teach first spots. Give it a go if you can afford to. I want to retire at 55 as it’s tough and I can’t see me being able to sustain the workload to 60 (I work 3 days).

BraveBananaBadge · 04/08/2021 10:11

Have you heard of Lucy Kellaway? She has an organisation dedicated to exactly this:

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/education/2021/jul/14/leaving-burnout-behind-the-pain-and-pleasure-of-starting-a-new-career-in-my-50s

Original poster
Goblincore · 04/08/2021 10:12

Thank you. I know it will be tough. Not sure I can take the hit of no salary for a year doing the pgce though Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
Goblincore · 04/08/2021 10:12

Yes I have heard of her she's very inspirational! Her charity is maths and science based though I think.

OP posts:
Mushypeasandchipstogo · 04/08/2021 10:13

I hate to be so brutal but most secondary schools write you off at 50 and you might find it difficult to actually get a job in English. (Mathematics would be a different matter.) Have you considered doing a TEFL course?

Original poster
Goblincore · 04/08/2021 10:14

@Mushypeasandchipstogo

I hate to be so brutal but most secondary schools write you off at 50 and you might find it difficult to actually get a job in English. (Mathematics would be a different matter.) Have you considered doing a TEFL course?
Don't worry! This is what I need to know. I have taught tefl (many years ago) and didn't hugely enjoy it.
OP posts:
notanothertakeaway · 04/08/2021 10:14

I'm close to you in age, and TBH, I'm not sure I'd embark on a new career at this age. Might you be able to move within your existing field, rather than start all over again eg teach design & marketing to college students?

4togonow · 04/08/2021 10:14

I would find out what the job situation is in your area. In my county, 50 is ancient in teaching. In a recent reorganisation with redundancies almost everyone in their mid-40s upwards left (some voluntarily, some didn’t get their own jobs when they reapplied.)

In London, you might walk into a job.

A lot of teachers retire at 55.

It does vary from place to place.

Original poster
Goblincore · 04/08/2021 10:15

I hate design and marketing and I'm too old for it really! Definitely a young person's game these days

OP posts:
SunShinesBrightly · 04/08/2021 10:22

Wow!
You’re braver than me.
I’m approaching your age and have been teaching since I was 23.
I am now p/t as it is a relentless job and it gives me breathing space.

Maybe just consider this - working with children who have chosen to participate in clubs, doing things they enjoy socially are quite different to children in the classroom! 😬

SunShinesBrightly · 04/08/2021 10:24

@Goblincore

I hate design and marketing and I'm too old for it really! Definitely a young person's game these days
So say many older classroom teachers 😅

Get some experience in a school. Maybe do a year as a TA. You need to see the reality for yourself.

changingstages · 04/08/2021 10:25

my DH recently retrained as a teacher at 51. He was previously a university lecturer. He has hated every minute of it and it's absolutely destroyed his mental health. So I'd find it hard to recommend it as a course of action.

SunShinesBrightly · 04/08/2021 10:26

@notanothertakeaway

I'm close to you in age, and TBH, I'm not sure I'd embark on a new career at this age. Might you be able to move within your existing field, rather than start all over again eg teach design & marketing to college students?
Colleges and FE might be a good move OP!
GiantToadstool · 04/08/2021 10:27

I think the danger would be that many schools employ young teachers. There are a couple of schools near me where nearly everyone apart from SMT are under 40. This seems particularly true of acdemies who want to imprint their way of doing things.

The other problem you will find is that teaching is physically and mentally exhausting. A high percentage leave in the first few years after qualifying and many teachers reduce to part time or leave as they get older.

It isn't at all that you couldn't qualify - I don't doubt that you could, but it would just be a shame to nto be aware of the drop out rate after, especially for older teachers.

Also - if you didn't like tefl I would be very wary.