Can anyone advise on career as an Educational Psychologist?

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I need advice from the horse's mouth, so to speak.
Am interested in Ed Psych. Am doing a Psychology conversion through the OU and then am planning to either do a PGCE or something child-related for a few years to get experience so I can train to be an ed psychologist.

So:
Do you think a PGCE (secondary english) and a few years teaching would be adequate preparation for the training?

Is there anything else I should be doing? (Am at home for the next two years completing psych degree and looking after DC3)

And, do you enjoy your job?

IME the best Ed Psychs are the ones who spent many years teaching before they went into EP work. Sorry, I know that's not what you want to hear.

But it's like educational consultants - some of them have spent so little time at the chalkface they have no idea of or have completely forgotten the day-to-day realities of life in a school, and what things are practical and possible and what is just pie in the sky.

I also think that if you are planning to do a PGCE English and a few years teaching merely as a route to something else, you are highly unlikely to last the distance.

Some highly motivated individuals who are passionate about teaching and learning find those first 3 years (especially in English - particularly heavy marking workload) extremely hard going and many drop out.

My DD is currently studying Developmental Psychology at University with a view to being an Educational Psychologist. You need at least one year full-time working with children (after the initial degree) and then do a Doctorate in Educational Psychology accredited by the BPS: www.prospects.ac.uk/p/types_of_job/educational_psychologist_entry_requirements.jsp

It's slightly different in Scotland but all the details are on that page.

Oh no, will not drop out. No matter how hard it is. I cannot afford it.

I know teaching is hard (many friends and both my parents are teachers.)

However doing psych degree has opened my eyes to options and am interested in the different ways children learn. So am looking at possible career paths.

I'm curious more than anythiong...

Thankyou flamingtoaster.

Roisin, I think the point you make about having a good amount of experience teaching first is a good one.