Career path into teaching...is it an option for an oldie? :)

[Badvoc]

Am considering starting my BA degree course again (with the OU) I stopped a few years back after I got unexpectedly pg with ds2 (who is 4 this year)

I am 40 this year and ds2 starts school in Sept next year, ds1 is in Y4.

I would need 3 years to complete my degree and then - I assume - a years PGCE course? (is it still called that?) I figure my dc will be 7/8 and 12/13 respectively so will not be as reliant on me by then?

Is it feasible do you think? Would a school be interested in a 45 year old NQT???!!!

School would definitely be interested in a 45 year old NQT!

What subject are you considering? Primary or secondary? I'd do 2 things -

1. get yourself into school for some work experience (most PGCE courses require this anyway) to see if it's what you want. Don't just pick one type of school - try and do a 'good' school and a 'challenging' school at least because you might be surprised by what you enjoy

2. go onto the TES website and look at the jobs in your area. There won't be many at the moment (Christmas - Easter us prime job hunting time) but look and l

Aagh, pressed post by accident!

And l

And again (hangs head in shame!)

And look later in the year - there are not massive amounts of jovs around at the moment and you need to consider where you are prepared to work in relation to your DC and where you live now.

I would be interested in primary ed I think.

I am a foundation Governor of my sons school and I also am a parent helper too...does that help? I wondered if it might actually be a hindrance?? :)

I live in a village but the upside of that is there are lots of other villages and many schools within a 15 mile radius.

I am trying to look forward and plan but its hard!!!...I have a particular interest in sen too.

Try to get yourself some experience at a larger school than a village school, the dynamics at a larger primary are different to those at a smaller village school.

The key is experience, experience and more experience.
Not just for the good of your application but to help you decide what you really enjoy too.
The jobs of two primary school teachers in different will be very different.
Plus jobs in village schools are often hard to come by so you will need some idea of a larger primary as that is often where the jobs are.

Euphemia I am sorry to hear that. I agree not all hts will like more mature nqts.
Thanks for the advice

My PGCE year (22 of us) was a real mix, from 21 to 50 something. Most got jobs and there was no ageism. If anything, the maturity gained from life experience was a big bonus and the eldest NQT was first to get a job. She is still at that school and loving it.

Thanks should.
I have quite a bit of experience working with kids albeit in a voluntary capacity.
(beavers, Sunday school etc)

Experience is great then. What are you doing your degree in?

If you definitely want to teach why not do your degree in Primary Education?

ebd I have no idea if I can do that with the OU? What does that entail? I guess all of my friends and family who have become teachers have done it the way I mentioned so thats what I know iyswim?...

thanks for all the adice btw!

advice! doh!

pottering history

Ooh, I'm a humanities teacher too!

I don't know if you can do a B.Ed with the OU but it might be worth looking at?

:) Humanities was always my fave subject at school and I got an A at GSCE (boast ) and did sociology and history A levels in 6th form.

I quite like the idea of doing my degree and then seeing how I feel at the end iyswim?