Funding for PGCE (single parent)

[NewBegin10]

I am a single parent of three children and currently looking at doing a PGCE Primary full time next year. I rent and have some savings, but wondered if anyone had any advice/experience on whether I am completely mad considering this - and what sort of funding I can get. Thank you!

I would go onto the Student Finance England calculator to determine the financial support available.
I would also find out whether the university/Skitt programme you have in mind still has places for next year.
Finally I would also look into the availability of jobs in your local area - some places find it hard to get teachers/other places jobs are like gold dust.
My son has just completed a PGCE and secured a job - not easy, a lot of applicants for each job. Two school placements take up most of the year, two 3,000 word essays (at level 7) and evidencing teacher standards. You will be kept busy.

Thanks very much for replying.
Ive been looking at salaried PGCE options, but I’ve been offered an interview (full time course starting this September) at a good university, which is also very close by - so now considering that. I’ll perhaps also get in touch with the university for advice too.
Realise I’ll be very busy 😬, just trying to weigh it all up.

That sounds really positive. I did not realise salaried PGCE was available for Primary. I thought it was just shortage subjects at Secondary. Sounds a good option. See if you are offered a place, I guess you already have a school. Then look further into your options.

I did mine full time, with a toddler.

Busy, but doable.

I now occasionally teach on PGCE, you won't be unusual - lots of people in a similar position.

Or Teach First? They pay for the course and you get about £23k

If you go the uni route you will have to take out the Student Finance loan for fees. Loan fees and maintenance loans and once earning enough will have to repay those.The maintenance loan can also affect UC, so you need to check that out and how they interact.

The uni might offer some sort of small grant for those with dependents and other help like grants to help purchase materials/tech. Worth checking out. It depends on what schools you are sent to on placement but the workload can be brutal. Some schools expect you to write and produce all your lessons (not just a plan) including all the materials needed, scaffolded and differentiated for 3 levels, others give you a lot of help and suggest lessons, some give you or even insist you use their lesson plans and all associated media and materials - it can be pot luck how heavy the workload will be.

Also, make it clear you have children and you need to be close to home for them ( or you could be placed quite far away) also don't admit you have a car or you will likely be sent far away. On placements you will need to work a full school day, so you will need cover for any school pick ups and drop offs you do now.

Does the salaried route result in a permanent job?

Do you know how many applicants there are per post in your area? It can vary from 40/59 per position to others where there are shortage.