not sure if this is the right place- but if i have a degree and postgrad quals... how can i become a primary school teacher?

[oops]

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You would need a PGCE (post-grad certificate in education), not sure if you can do this distance or part-time, as it's quite intensive and requires lots of teaching practice in order to qualify. Not entirely sure as I haven't done it myself. Just wanted to keep this near the top! Hopefully someone else will know.

have you been on this website

PGCE
Either at a uni (approx 60% uni, 40% in school)
Via a SCITT (School centered initial teacher training) course; run by local authority in conjunction with local uni (50% in college, 50% in school)
GTP (Graduate teacher programme) (99% in school)

By the way, you can only become a primary school teacher (as opposed to a teacher of a specific subject) you can have a specialism in one of the core subjects (generally Literacy or Numeracy, sometimes Science is an option) but a Primary PGCE qualifies you to teach all subjects and it is the school's expectation that you will teach most subjects within the curriculum, but they may give you a heavier weighting of science on your timetable if you are a science specialist.
eg at my school the science specialist teaches science in Yr1 and Yr 5 as well as teaching her own class (yr 1) for everything else apart from music, pe and french.

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you need a pgce
or sometimes you might be able to do something that takes longer, but is based in a school
simpler to do a pgce

The competition for primary school courses can be quite high. In order to have a better chance, make sure you have some relevant and up to date work experience. Best way s to ask a local school if you can come and help out for a bit.

Science is an accepted degree for primary school teacher training:

"Primary school teachers are expected to demonstrate a sound, basic knowledge of all the subjects in the curriculum for key stages 1 and 2. A degree is required, though not in a specialised subject. "

A fiend of mine was accepted onto a primary school techer training course and her degree is in travel and tourism. She is just expected to do some subject specialism booster training alongside.

The TDA website explains how to apply:

How do you apply?
In most cases, you need to apply for SCITT courses through the graduate teacher training registry (GTTR), although some SCITT providers require direct applications. You can apply to up to four different providers, in order of preference.

Visit the GTTR website for full details of available courses and methods of application.

If you google SCITT and then the place you want to train, then you should come up with courses available.

SCITT courses are beneficial if you have dcs as they follow the school terms (ie you get half term off etc etc) and you get paid to do the course. It isnt much, but it covers things like childcare and books etc.

You have to apply to be on the course and competition can be fierce; it helps if you have some recent experience in a school (like being a TA or parent helper) then a selection of schools local to the SCITT course are linked and you will be placed in 2 schools during the course; one at KS1 and one at KS2.

The SCITT websites or the Teacher Training Agency website will be the most helpful.

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The problem with teaching is that in term time it is intense - it's not 9 - 3.30 at all. I would think very carefully if it's going to involve a big drop in salary. Can't just one of you work F/T then if you're vets?

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Teaching is fun but, I agree with Cornsilk, it can be very intense. I have ds (12 now, but he was 6 when I was training) and dd (3). It is hard work during term time; dh and I share the school run, but when he is away (he is armed forces) I have to do it, which means not arriving at school till 8 and having to leave by 4 45. This is often not enough time in school and I invariably bring work home at night (planning, assessments, preparing resources and of course, marking!!!)
It is the holidays now and I have been in school for at least 3 days so far and plan to do at least another week in, getting my classroom ready etc.

PLEASE DONT THINK I AM TRYING TO PUT YOU OFF! I am not, it is a wonderful career and it is one of the best jobs to have when you have small children. But it is a vocation... you can only enjoy it and succeed if you love the career.

Do consider everything carefully, these are things that you will be questioned about in application forms and interviews

Like nell I have been in school every day since we broke up and my dining room has been taken over by boxes of school work I need to organise for next term. I attend courses and conferences during holidays and at weekend (unpaid)
I spent last half term in Crown Court supporting two pupils who were witnesses in a case and because of my additional responsibilities I'm often working until 9pm when I just want to fall into bed. Having said that I can't think of a more rewarding career with every day different.

Hmm, there is something about us vets eh...come looking for info on this and find you have beaten me to it oops!! What did you decide? My DD#1 starts school next Sept and I am giving things some serious thought too. p/t works with nursery but going to be a lot tougher once she is in school.

Don't do it because you think it is family friendly. I've met women who have done this and left after 2yrs. Yes, you have school holidays but you also have the lack of flexibility that goes with this such as not being able to take the afternoon off to watch your kids sports day or nativity play.

It is a fabulous, amazing job when it's good but it is seriously draining when it's bad. They don't all sit there eager to learn and you don't go home every day with a real sense of achievement.

The paperwork is dull and the planning gets you down. Even with PPA, if you're f/t you must be prepared to give up some time at weekends. This was the thing I hated which is why I work p/t.

As I say, I love it and wouldn't want to do anything else but you've really got to feel that way to be able to do it. If you don't, you will find it very emotionally draining and you'll end up hating it.

Best advice is to spend time in a range of local schools. Ask to help out familiarise yourself with what the job is really like.
Good luck!

I work in secondary and arrive at 7.45. I leave at 4.30. This is my standard day. At the end of that I will have marking/planning to do. Yesterday I didn't leave school until 7.40 as I had a parents evening.

It is a fantastic job, but I work over 50 hours a week. I love it, but is isn't as flexible re times are peeople sometimes think that it is. you would also have quite a cut in income as the starting rate is arounf £19,000 as an NQT

you'd be much better off, more employable with higher earning potential and get a bigger training bursary if you did sec science oops, there's a massive shortage

gttr is where you find out what courses are available

gee whizz. Stay a vet, surely

you won't get any more free time as a teacher than as a vet. i spent 14 yrs as a secondary teacher and when you find yourself writing bottom set reports at midnight on a saturday having been at it all day you do have to be committed!! my friend is a primary teacher and is in sch 7.15-5 and then works till 20pm most evenings and all day one day at the weekend. if you can find a way of going part time with vet work to fit in with family, a much better option.

Looks like there is a bit of a trend amongst us vets with young school age children. I have been thinking of a career change too but probably more along the lines of teaching assistant than teacher. I'm a bit concerned that people might think it is slightly odd for someone with my qualifications to be a TA but I really enjoy my volunteer work at the DCs school. What are your thoughts now, oops and beautifulgirls? Anyone else got any words of encouragement?

Is it true that if I take any one of these routes at primary level (PGCE or GTP or SCITT)I will then be able to work in the future in secondary or further education college but if I trained at secondary or above level I wouldn't be able to teach at primary? Does anyone know? Thanks

THe teacher training help line is really good. You can find it on the teacher training (can teach or something like that) website.