Can I train as an early years teacher with a third ?

[12345onceicaughtafishy]

I have an arts degree BA Hons and I achieved a third due to various circumstances at the time ( I did this as a mature student) . Previous to this was awarded two A grade A-levels although both arts subjects ( as a mature student) . I have 8 GCSES A-C, a B in English & English Lit and a C in Maths which I got at school. I then left to do an apprenticeship.

So I assume if I wanted to go into teaching, I would have to start again and do a whole degree ? I would prefer to go into teaching reception age rather than secondary, although I could teach textiles / art / design, but I assume my third would count against me for this. I'm am not completely stupid despite the third.

My sister is a secondary school teacher, but I don't want to talk to her about it as I'm just thinking it through. She loves her job and has been teaching over 10 years.

My uni mate who scraped a third is now a Head of Department
Anything is possible.

Have you looked at entry requirements for pgce or Teach First?

@LIZS it says 2.1 or maybe 2.2, I will email them and see what they say. I doubt the arts is lacking in teachers.

There's a brilliant Facebook group called "aspiring teacher forum" run by get into teaching which is an absolute fountain of knowledge on teacher training. I'd highly recommend joining and reading other peoples questions and comments or asking your own if you need help.

What type of arts degree though? Some subjects are more sought after and primary teaching is more general than subject based.

My uni mate who scraped a third is now a Head of Department

Did they get their 3rd 20 years ago though?

A third today is not the same as a third 20+ years ago. Most graduates get 2:1 nowadays.

I did Graphic design .. so art art

I think you’d need GCSE Science as well, C or above.

If you don't have C grade gcse science you can take an equivalency exam

Could you find a role as a teaching assistant while you investigate further?

You can do Early Years Teaching Training with any degree
It will qualify you as an early years teacher but not QTS
You can work in private nurseries or nursery schools
The course is fully funded at the moment
www.bestpracticenet.co.uk/eyitt?gclid=Cj0KCQiA9P__BRC0ARIsAEZ6irhU_miGISKR9_vGE1MsVW65uF2Vt7-exYUintZr8a8Hq62KaHI9IekaAoxyEALw_wcB

@FrostedCranberries

My uni mate who scraped a third is now a Head of Department

Did they get their 3rd 20 years ago though?

A third today is not the same as a third 20+ years ago. Most graduates get 2:1 nowadays.

25 years ago, science subject and he's a man.

^^ employers dont look favourably at a third nowadays though. Is your friends sex relevant? Sorry if it's obvious, I just dpnt why you've told me that.

I have double science BB. I'm not sure about the early years course as only mentions down to a 2:2. I will message them. Would you be able to teach reception with this ?

I could work in a local preschool volunteering, but TA roles are very hard to get without experience. I had a school admin interview and didn't get it as someone else had classroom experience despite it not being a TA role. They said I was in the top 2.

@FrostedCranberries
I can't say anyone who has asked what grade I have has looked impressed. Obviously on a CV I just put BA ( Hons) Graphic design and the year but online applications often ask the year. No graduate schemes take thirds !

You need a science GCSE to be an art teacher ?

• ask the grade

Sorry multitasking badly

You need science gcse to be a primary teacher, not secondary.

I wouldn't want somebody with a third teaching my children so sorry bu5 I don't think you should get a place.

Although you do get some early years PGCE courses, you may find you have to take a primary 4-11 one so would have to do TP in KS2 as well as KS1/EYFS.

If you’re able to relocate and move for a specific course though, that’s probably not a problem.

I really enjoyed Biology at school, but school said it's the soft science, so it wasn't worth doing it without chemistry or physics, which are too mathematical for me. I ended up leaving school at 16, after GCSEs and becoming a sports coach ( not to children) .

I now have kids myself and I would like a career change.

Definitely speak to someone about what they will accept for the course. If you have children yourself then you have a good idea of what the curriculum looks like. It cant really go against you, but do ask what they are willing to accept if they want a 2:1 or a 2:2.

It's worth asking if there is more flexibility for mature student.
Is there a possibility of doing something via the OU?

Could you look at doing a masters as that effectively bumps you bachelors up a grade. Which would give you the 2:2 equivalent you need.

From what I read (did my pgce 3 years ago) you need a minimum of a 2:2 regardless of entry route.

I have a third and so does my DH. We are both teachers, he is a head of department.

We are both teaching shortage subjects so this may make a difference.

We are both really good teachers by the way. In my large comprehensive I got the highest ALPS scores in the school (a mathematical formula for working how much value added you give to your A level students - worked out by how well they achieve at A level in relation to how they did at gcse) and I was the only one getting kids into Oxbridge 2 years in a row. I am not head of department as I have DC and don't want the extra pressure.