Any Primary School Music Teachers out there?????

[BigHotMama]

Hi

I am looking to further my music degree and get onto a PGCE course or a GTP and am looking for advice. I have no experience in the classroom and wonder if its best to do some voluntary work before I apply as my sister got refused on PGCE course for having no classroom experience.

I have a 10 month old ds and am already feeling guilty about leaving him while doing the course and then having no time for him on the evenings due to coursework? I keep trying to tell myself in the long run it will benefit us as I can earn a better wage and do something I have always weanted to do.

I have been a SAHM for almost a year and feel like I havent got what it takes to be a tecaher where as others around me think I'd be great? Think I've lost confidence being in the house for so long.

Really need some advice from any teachers or moms doing PGCE/GTP.

Also havent got a clue what they teach in music at Primary School these days anyone shed any light?

They do very little music in primary school justify employing a special teacher so you would have to be a general teacher as well, have you thought of trying the music service of the education authority, ours does schemes where the music teacher spends one day a week in a school then after hours other local kids come in to have lessons on a semi-private basis

Some will do several schools depending on their other committments

It is possible you may not need the pgce for this type of thing

Is that what is known as a supply teacher?
How would I go about getting into that then? I need to look at all my options and then decide which will fit best into my life...my head is hurting at moment with all different ideas and thoughts of what will suit me best. Want a mortgage, another baby (not yet!) and a career, all seems impossible to do at same time.

no these are proper parepatetic (sp?) music teachers, who make regular visits, some areas do the same with foreign language teachers.

Not completely sure how you start, perhaps your local education department or their associated music schools. Perhaps even go to visit the head of music at the local secondary school as they will know all the names to contact. My son's friend went off to do a music degree and was intended to do some work in school to supplement her loan not sure how it went though.

But full time in one primary school is unusual unless it is a very large school and the teacher covers planning time for every teacher

You'd stand a better chance of being a dedicated music teacher in the private sector and would n't necessarily need a PGCE although it would probably help for a fulltiem , longer term position. If you have a specialist instrument how about looking for instrumental teaching time on site as a start. It might be more flexible while your ds is small. I think some County Councils still offer centrally run music and orchestra sessions, at weeknd s or in holidays, for whch you coudl volunteer and which may enable you to learn more about how music teaching for children works in schools.

I really do suggest that you contact your local primary school and see if you can go in and help as a 'parent teacher' - even though you haven't got a child there iyswim - you'll then know if you want to actually work in a school environment.

Our local school have just appointed a part time music specialist, she will cover PPA time as well as give more specilaised lessons, but it does depend on the school - our head is a bit of a brass band nut!

Would it have to be primary?

wish more primary schools would have a musician on the staff, would get away from those awful backing cd's for assemblies and end of term shows

worth trying all the routes suggested although may need to wait till september now as everything is all but closed down for the summer