BEd or degree then PGCE/School Direct?

[morningtoncrescent62]

DD1 is considering primary school teaching. She had about 5 weeks on a BA in Film Studies and Drama a few years ago, and has been working in a series of going-nowhere jobs ever since. She's now thinking about primary school teaching, and she's set up some work experience in a local primary to see what it feels like.

Does anyone have any advice on the best route? What's most likely to get her a job at the end - a BEd degree, or a degree in something else, then a postgraduate year? And if a degree in something else, does it help to have a degree in Education, or in a school-type subject? There seem to be a lot of degrees in a subject plus Education. Is there a preferred route for undergraduate entrants?

I suggest she asks the teachers in the local primary what they found useful. By doing a separate degree and then a PGCE she has options if she was to change her mind. Also she needs to think about how she best learns and which routes may suit her way of learning.

When choosing my courses I applied for one with qualified teaching status at the end undergraduate, a BEd (which I was turned down for as I didn't meet all the criteria - it turned out they wanted someone with more experience and qualifications than I had despite the information given to UCAS) and the others were degrees in IT (the subject I was strongest in).

I think when choosing a route it is really down to what suits her.

I found the information on UCAS website link for various routes into teacher training.

I didn't go into teaching in the end and was very glad I had done the separate route as a result.

I've no idea if that's helpful or not but was my experience.

I am a teacher who wants out so therefore glad I did a degree then pgce.

I trained as a teacher many years ago via the B.Ed route and have been teaching ever since. Several friends, however, did the course and use it as an 'ordinary' degree and went on to various careers as accountants, tax inspectors, HR etc.

In Primary school teaching, you don't need the knowledge of a subject to degree level, but it is really helpful to have spent time studying all the Child Development, and to have longer placements in schools (which is where you do your real learning) than a year's PGCE can afford you IMO. I'd recommend the B.Ed.

Given that she already slightly older than potential fellow students probably best to go down the BEd route. Will she get funding ?

I spent a long time analysing which was the 'best' route but it ultimately depends on the person. BEd, PGCE, School Direct, Teach First all seem to have their own pros and cons but are overall viewed and valued fairly equally. They just suit different people.
Things for her to consider...
Which phase of Primary does she like best? Early Years, KS1, KS2 and is there a subject she would consider specialising in? If so find a BEd course which tailors for this or a general primary if she has no preferences yet.
Does she want to really 'do' the general student living thing? If so a normal degree will give her this. Similarly, if she is unsure 100% about teaching or doesn't want to be forever stuck in education related jobs then a general degree keeps options open (very important considering half leave teaching within 5 years, it is a very tough job)
If she is looking at BEds then find a uni where it is a 3 year course then after 3 years she will be in work. If she picks a 4 year course she might as well have done a different degree then PGCE and it would take the same time.
If she does a degree but is unsure about what subject then Education Studies, Childhood Studies, Childhood Sciences, Education and Psychology type degrees are good options. These can be done at top unis (Bath, Southampton, Bristol, Durham, Leeds) and often have slightly lower grades e.g. ABB or BBB than would usually be required to get into these top unis for other subjects due to the nature, size, type of experience they look for. These degrees are excellent preparation but keep options open for working in all areas of childhood services/education-related jobs beyond teaching.

Thanks for great advice, everyone, I'll pass it on. I think the attraction of a BEd is that she could be teaching in three years - but she's worried about it not being accepted in other fields if she ever wants to do anything else. I don't think she's investigated the subjects you mention, ZebraGiraffe, so I'll suggest she does that as well.

If she is looking at student finance it is worth bearing in mind that you are only allowed four years funding and even a part year is classed as a full years worth of funds, good luck to her