Open university : becoming a teacher

[LittleCheese]

Im 21 and had my DD in january 2007, I have no formal qualifications other than GCSE's but would really like to become a primary school teacher. I realise I will need a degree for this, but as I work part time Im not sure I could fit even a part time degree at a traditional university in at the moment. However I do have free evenings and some time at the weekend spare therefore I was thinking of a distance learning degree. Does any one know if the Open University Degrees have as higher standing with employers as a traditional university and whether it would be likely to get on to a pgce course upon completing an open university degree. Any advice welcome

OU degrees have the same standing as any other degree and are often regarded as better than some because of the organisation needed to complete them. You will need an access to HE course to get on a degree, your local college may do one or you can take one with the OU. Your best bet is to do a subject degree and then PGCE as it keeps your options open for the future. I don't want to put you off but things are tough for primary trainees and teachers at the moment. The govt expanded training places at the same time as school rolls were falling so there is an oversupply of teachers for very few jobs. 200+ applicants for posts are not uncommon. There are lots of unemployed primary school teachers at the moment. With a subject based degree you will be able to keep your options open if the situation is still the same when you finish.

thanks kritur, i was thinking of doing a maths degree any way and the ou do a level 1 course in maths which replaces the access course and i guess this degree would mean i could go into primary or secondary