Where can I find employment statistics for trained teachers?

[ThisBoyDraculaDrew]

Thinking of doing a PGCE (either Science/Biology secondary or upper primary). I can see reasonable stats on employment rates 6m after qualifying.

I have been warned (on here) that prospects beyond the probationary year aren't stunning. Also looking at the TES is a bit scarey.

Am currently in the East midlands if that helps;

Don't know about actual stats, but it is fairly easy to find a job as a Science teacher. There is not quite as much of a shortage of Biology specialists, so if you could add Chemistry or Physics you would be in a stronger position.

There are always schools with Science vacancies, fewer good schools though.

Just look at the TES job section over the next few weeks (the main recruitment season is just starting).

I have been looking on the TES website and the forums....there are lots of complaints - even from Physics teachers which are supposed to be in the highest demand that there are no jobs. There are some saying that there are 150 applicants for 1 position (which I knw doesn't necessarily mean that there are 150 unemployed teachers all applying).

I can see that there are biology vacnacies appearing on the TES wbsite....but I don't know what is a god number to expect (compared to previous years).

What i am thinking - whether it is true or not is that if I can get in as a NQT (which sounds easier as it is cheaper) then I should have some security for a while as long as I don't want to move to another school?

Tis hard. I am on the verge of being made redundant and I don't want to retrain into a career where the prospects aren't much better. TBH my preference in many senses is to teach KS2 where I gather there is less demand. But I would also love to teach biology/science but am a bit scared of the 15yo's! Having said that I think that the £11K bursary/golden hello for science is attractive.

I think you'll need to find within yourself some more passion and enthusiasm for teaching and learning, and - yes, sorry to say it - even for 15 yr-olds.

If you don't have this to sustain you, there is no way you will survive the tough couple of years that is PGCE and NQT year.

Round here secondary science teachers - of all persuasions, but especially Physics - are still in demand.

TBDD,

How do you feel about temporary jobs after you qualify? You can get loads of maternity cover and general supply work that will give you the necessary experience to enable you to find the perfect job.

I don't believe that there are 150 applicants going after every job. I find those figures impossible to believe even for outstanding schools. If it's an NQT position, there may be more applicants, but you have to remember that everyone is applying to 6 or 8 schools.

When I was looking for a permanent job, I made all the shortlists, so that meant we were really only looking at 3 or 4 serious candidates.

We advertised two Science jobs last year. We got 3 applicants

I agree that teaching a physical science too would strengthen your position greatly. I teach GCSE physics, and A level Biology.

Biology far less in demand in most regions now, to the extent that the bursary for Biology or general science is being cut from 9000 to 6000 from sept. you can see employment stats by providers through the tda website

tda data

Thanks but as far as I can see those employment stats only extend to 6m post QTS.

I was thinking more for 2-3years post qualification.

At least the tda data gives you an idea of nqt recruitment in your area which shoudl reflect the wider picture. So long as you get a job on qualifying I don't see why you wouldn't still have it 2-3 years later, unless you fail nqt year. schools generally appoint nqts on proper contracts these days.

I agree with roisin... you need to be passionate about teaching to survive. So many people train then realise it isn't for them. DO you have experience or teaching? Or working with teenagers?

Jobs are few and far between - I have been looking but there have been NO teaching jobs in my area other than a couple of temporary ones to cover maternity leave. I am lucky to have a job that I love but it is temporary & I do not know whether I will be able to find anything when this finishes. That said, supply work is not unappealing atm.

I should say that my comment about 15yo's was intended to be flippant.

I am passionate about teaching. I am just really split as to what I want to do. I WANT to teach KS2. But I equally I WANT to teach science....but the 2 are not mutually exclusive IYSWIM so I have to decide between them.

I was worried about supply teaching - because aren't there rules WRT to what can count towards the induction, and also rules that limit the duration for which you can supply teach?

I don't currently have any experience in schools. I am a honary lecturer at a local uni which basically means that I give a couple of lectures to undergrads a year as a visiting lecturer (which whilst this has somesimilarity to teaching it is much more like being a baby-sitter you hand them back to the "parents" at the end of the day). I have also done a reasonably amount of work with A level and undergraduate project students where I work. Again has some mentoring aspects but on a one-to-one basis on a small project area and with young adults rather than teenagers.

I am hoping to do some voluntary work at the Big Bang Science fair in a couple of weeks, and would obviously get the 10 days statutary "shadowing" experience prior to applying. I am also in the process of discussing with the local girl guiding association about becomig an adult leader/brow owl - although that would be younger children. So at the moment my experienc is limited, but I am relatively early in my thoughts and may well miss the 2010 applications anyway giving me time to sort out a bit more experience.

You have to do a full term for it to count towards induction and the school have to agree. I just had an NQT working with us but because she did 10 days less than a term, it didn't count

I never expected to work with 15 yr olds. I am primary trained but now work with older children. Once you have qualified there is a little flexibility.