Education

[Mamita123]

Help a sister out please. I'm a single mom of three who are all under 5 years old. I have never worked as my whole life has just been around me kids. I don't have anyone but coming from an educated family background, I have achieved really good grades which I don't want them to go in vain. I want to study and be able to get a job that i will be to work around my kids. I wanted to get into the NHS but I don't think it's gonna be in favour for me . What do you guys think of teaching ?

The average primary school teacher works 60 hours a week.

Early years TA sounds good too

Am here for an advise because Iam a clueless mom at the moment.

But I know I'll have to think thoroughly before doing any type of career so I would like to thank everyone for their advises.

What qualifications / level of education do you have?
Can I be THAT poster - please make sure you proof read your CV carefully before sending it off to schools!
I assume your typos are because with your 3 under 5s you are v v busy (hats off to you!)
You have 3 little ones and being a TA (in my school) is NOT family friendly- their start and finish times mean they would need wrap around child care (expensive) and/or a strong support network. Plus no time off for things like Nativity plays / school meetings

GCSE Equivalent of grade above A-C ; that is the only qualifications I have got.

Honestly? It’ll be a long slog to become a teacher from your starting point. You’ll need a degree and teaching qualification. You can’t get into a degree course with only gcse equivalents so you’ll need an access course or something. Teaching isn’t a family friendly job. I’m a good teacher and love my job but I’m leaving because I don’t have time for my own kids (and I have a husband who is extremely hands on with the kids!).

Teaching is not particularly family friendly. I work part time - officially three days a week but by the time I’ve marked and planned etc at home it works out as 4 - and have a supportive partner. Holidays works out well for the kids but day to day we’re out the house at 7 and back for 6 so you still need a fair amount of childcare. I love it and I’m passionate about it which is why I do it. As said above, it’s not a job you can do just for the money or because you think it will fit around the kids. It’s time consuming, mentally exhausting and the perks are only there if you feel passionate about learning, education and helping kids. If you don’t, you will hate it and not even make it through training which would be a huge waste of time.

Although it’s great that you are keen to find a ‘career’, since you haven’t even worked before wouldn’t it makes sense to just find a ‘job’ to start with? And look into catching up with some basic qualifications. And then go from there. It nice to have a big goal but it sounds like you’re trying to run before you can walk here.

If you want teaching then it would take many years from where you are now at GCSE/level 2. You could do basic accounting training and can often WFH.

You have 3 under 5 and you left high school in 2013, what did you do for the 3 years between leaving school and having your children? Was there a reason A-Levels or college or work weren't for you then? Are those reasons still in play now?

I think some kind of voluntary work or basic entry level work might be a good starting point for you to introduce you to the world of work and get some experience. If it's in a field you might be interested in later on, that would be a bonus but anything would be better than nothing. Something to put on a CV and be able to talk about at an interview. Tricky with covid at the moment but could you volunteer at a playgroup or toddler activity type setting locally, so you could take your kids along too?

You’ve got a long way to go no matter what job you take so plenty of time to think.

Why do you want to teach?

Are you going to do A levels next, @Mamita123?

@Mamita123

RoseandRose - I'm planning to start on 2023 because I would have to do a degree this coming September if I'm planning to do teaching cause I have never been to college. My last education was on 2013 and it was high school .

I think you have a lot of researching to do in terms of careers along with some guidance on what qualifications you need and the reality of getting these.

You are talking here about doing a degree in a year when most degrees take 3 years. You first need to complete a Level 3 (A-Level/ BTEC/ Access course) 1-2 years. Then you need to do a degree, typically 3 years full time or 6 years part time.

I think a really good place for you to start would be visiting your local FE college to look at courses and options. They should offer you free impartial careers advice too. As PP have suggested you need to think about why you want to do certain careers and for professional roles such as teaching and NHS, child friendly sadly isn't really a good reason as these are the sort of jobs that are a vocation! Most people I know with truly child friendly jobs work in office/ admin type roles with flexi working or WFH arrangements.

I think you need to keep your options open at this stage and think about what you enjoy learning and what would translate into a job... what is your priority for work... child friendly? A job that pays the bills? A passion? Money? Etc...

You could try getting a TA job (that would fit around children because you wouldn't have to do marking and preparation). That would test how you felt about teaching. Money isn't great. But would look good on your CV nevertheless

Sorry. TA jobs already mentioned! And I have to say, thinking about it, I know TAs with degrees

Every TA who works in the large secondary school I work in has a degree. Some post grads. Some are qualified teachers. Getting a job as a TA is hard. There is a huge amount of competition.

You could do basic accounting training and can often WFH
I would do this.

I hope you don't get down hearted by this thread OP. I'm guessing you're quite young so you have time on your hands. I'm 55 and my children came along in my late twenties as my career was peaking and I have to say they rather ruined it! Not regretting it. But it's a fact. You will have your eyes wide open about what you can carve out in the next few years, and you're right - education will be a start. But some other good ideas here - book-keeping qualifications can slowly lead down the path to accountancy for example. The fact youre thinking about your future rather than letting life happen is a really good thing. Good luck! x

Hi,

Has anyone experienced changing schools (state school) for their children during a school year? What reasons would you state if it's not about bullying problem?

My child is in Year 9, and one of her teachers has been absent since Dec 2021-She has had no proper lesson, no homework nor no assessment in that subject for a few months.

If the situation continues, I can foresee how it will affect her studies. Though I have raised my concern to the school, I also started considering to change school if no improvement is found.

What reasons should I state in the application form for the new school under this situation? Feel grateful if anyone with similar experience could advise.

Thanks a lot!

Hey,

I took my child out of school due to her mental health in early 2020. She is now on a online platform called EDClass doing lessons set by her teachers and has a timetabled session everyday. She also gets one to one support with teachers on the platform to help her though any questions and checking up on her in case she needs help.

I don't blame you for wanting to work in the NHS - the pension, holiday pay, training etc you can get are amazing compared to the stuff available outside in the private sector.

A close friend of mine became a healthcare assistant at a big hospital and earns really good money with good security. She originally wanted to become a nurse but didn't have gcse maths (failed it) so did a functional skills exam instead. All worked out fine so maybe this could be for you? She found this book set really helpful.