44 and training to be a teacher?!

[AmIinsane2023]

Name changed for this, as a bit different to my normal posts.

I'm 44, currently unemployed, and - after health problems and being a SAHM - I want to get my life back in track and start contributing again.

I've been looking at PGCEs (Secondary English) or Primary 7-11.

A few people said I'm insane to be considering it a) because of my age and b) the way things are in schools these days.

AIBU to be considering this?!

Would love to hear people's experiences/opinions, both positive and negative.

I looked into this too - am 45. I haven’t gone for it yet… too scared! Following.

My friend has in her 50s BUT she was a TA and HLTA for over a decade.

It's a lot of money and time if you don't like it/can't handle it. It can lead onto other careers though.

If you haven't already, I would organise some time in schools helping out and to observe. Ideally not just one day so you can see the situation for yourself.
Obviously the job situation is quite tough just now and the issues with the ongoing strikes. However, I would say that the pay is not the real concern as workload/hours is more of a challenge.
It can be an excellent and rewarding career but there will definitely be very challenging times. I'm a primary teacher and have had some very enjoyable classes while some are trickier!
Don't let age put you off, many teachers train later and there are a wide range of ages and experiences.

I haven't got direct personal experience of teaching or teacher training. However, my best friend has been a (secondary) teacher for over 20 years and is planning her exit as we speak. Mainly due to the admin / workload requirements and extra curricular expectations than the kids tbh.

I worked with a very bright guy who retrained at 38 (he left our office to do his PGCE as already had a physics degree). After 2 years in the classroom he quit and now works in technical sales. His exact words at a recent reunion were "if I ever talk about going into teaching again just fucking shoot me"

so 2 isolated examples but both v different people / length of service / subject specialisms. Am sure some other people will be along and you'll get a mix of views.

You really, really want the Mature Study and Retraining board!

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

Just scroll … You’ll find all the experiences and advice you could possibly want. (And MN will move your thread for you if you ask.)

I honestly can't imagine why you would want to do this to yourself.

My OH retrained to teach primary at 42 and has never looked back. He's now in his ninth year. Yes, it's bloody hard work and can be emotionally draining but he reckons the reward of seeing children progress and engage in learning is priceless. He also thinks it helped him massively that he had another career beforehand - he doesn't sweat the small stuff and bureaucracy like teachers who've been doing it since the year dot.

My BIL has just completed his PGCE, he has a job offer for September and is raring to go, at the grand age of 52.

Go for it.

Are you in Scotland, if so I'd say do it. You'll be at the top of the pays scale within 6 years. The approach has totally changed, it's brilliant but become very familiar with your contract and do it to the letter. Google SNCT, this is teachers t&c's each agreed by unions year. I'd strongly recommend doing it. You've got another 20 years of a career and the pro's on Scotland are worth it. I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole in England. Very different career.

Go for it OP! If you can fund the PGCE (I think English get a bursary?) and you’ve been into schools and seen what the routines, lessons, admin, behaviour is like then do it.
I’ve been teaching in an inner London comp for well over 20 years and I would never consider doing anything else. Yes, it’s very hard work and yes there’s lots of admin, marking, assessments, dealing with behaviour but the pleasure of working with young people and making a difference to them makes up for it. Everyday is different, you have to be organised, manage multiple deadlines and work your socks off to make sure your lessons get the best out of the kids - it’s definitely not an easy choice and you need a very thick skin at times (trust me some of the adults in schools are awful to work with and far more badly behaved than any kid). But, you get to build brilliant relationships with kids/parents/staff , teach a subject you love and you really do make a difference (not to every child but to a large number of them)
When people ask why I became a teacher I say ‘because I’m bossy, love the sound of my own voice and the holidays
Schools need good teachers, be one of them 😊

I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole in England.

That pretty much sums up my thoughts!

Your age has got nothing to do with it, but I think it’s now a dreadful job and wouldn’t encourage my worst enemy into it. The retention figures are dire for very good reason.

What experience have you had in schools and what are your health problems? If it’s anything related to your mental-health or something that’s likely to reoccur, I would reconsider even more.

I started when I was 43, I'm now a Head. It's hard graft and a difficult job but it's also the best job in the world!

I retrained as a primary teacher and I absolutely love it! £30k starting salary for part time hours?! Yes please! Best of luck to you

Plus 24% pension contribution!

Not insane at all. The headteacher of our local primary did her PGCE at 41 and 10 years later, became headteacher.

There’s a charity called Now Teach that helps people change career into teaching later in life. I’d give them a call and see what they can do to help. They’ll know all the best routes and be able to set you up with some school experience or similar.
https://nowteach.org.uk/

I know it says career change on the website but I know personally some SAHMs that they’ve really supported and given a lot of help to.

@FoodFann you obviously aren't a teacher. Its not part time and yes the pension is very good but we also make high contributions too.

Its a fantastic job. Consider training directly with a school rather than pgce. It's salaried and avoids tuition fees

If you’re teaching full time but somehow working part time hours then somethings definitely wrong there 🤔

Why would this be unreasonable? You are 45, not 75. You have nearly 25 working years left! Go for it, you only live once 🙂

I retrained in my 40s (secondary) and wasn’t the oldest in my group either.

I'm not teaching in school any more tho, for various reasons

When I did my PGCE there were loads of people who were around your age doing it- I’d say go for it ☺️

Teacher Training is hard work (as is teaching!) but I love my job and wouldn’t change it for the world

I retrained at 40 and got my first job in one of my placement schools - maturity was cited as one of the reasons they went for me. I’m still teaching 12 years later but defected to the independent sector a few years ago. It has worked for me but it is a tough job and there are good reasons for the current exodus. Spend some time in some contrasting schools local to you, go in with your eyes open. Primary schools would welcome a regular volunteer. There is a bursary for secondary English of £15k, tax free. Nothing for primary. Might depend where you live but the shortages experienced in secondary are not quite there yet with primary, although seem to be on their way in my opinion. Whilst once you have QTS, you are qualified to teach in both secondary and primary, getting into primary can be tough (this is one of the reasons I ended up in an independent where I teach as a specialist in the primary) so if that is where your heart lies, I would recommended training in primary.

A family member retrained in her 50s and had a good 18year career.
I work as a self employed tutor at the moment but when my kids are grown and flown I'll be looking at that option. I'll be 47.
I do already have a lot of experience doing cover but I'd like a pgce so I can a) get paid more and b) apply for a permanent space and c) pension.

Go for it!

Nothing to do with age, but I'd suggest you get some experience in schools and talk to a range of people to make an informed decision.

It isn't the family friendly option some people think it is.

If you're making an informed decision and go in with your eyes open then you might enjoy it. The teaching part of the job is the best and nothing I've done has compared to it. Everything else around the core teaching can take up your whole life if you let it or if you find yourself in a school with a poor culture.