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Higher education

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Original poster

Question about teacher training.

35 replies

OrmIrian · 08/01/2008 12:14

Thinking vaguely about applying to do graduate teacher training. In a local school. But I need Maths and English GCSE. Am i right in assuming that O-levels and CSEs are OK? The ad very clearly stated GCSEs. And does that mean they really only want recent graduates? Also I have a totally artsy sort of degree so not at all in demand but would 17 yrs in IT industry swing it my way at all? I would ask the teacher training consortium about this but I can't get any reply when I call - 5 times so far!

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itsahardknocklife · 08/01/2008 12:32

O-levels and CSEs are fine, I think, but they might ask you to do a refresher test. Apply anyway - they will try and help you, I am sure. If they think you are capable of doing the training they will do all they can. Good luck

Original poster
OrmIrian · 08/01/2008 12:36

Thanks. I can download the application form without speaking to anyone but I really would like a bit of a chat first. Don't you just hate it when no-one answers the phone???

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Blandmum · 08/01/2008 12:40

As long as the CSE was a grade 1

You have to have a minimum of a GCSE C grade, so a C at 'O' level, of a grade 1 at CSE would be fine (and was for me btw!)

I was an old fart going into Teacher training. I had no problems.

Think about the OU, I did my PGCE with them, very flexable and understanding of the more 'mature' applicant!

browncat · 08/01/2008 12:43

i've looked into it too (but havent done anything about it yet !!
Register with these guys- they are really good at contacting you to discuss options. hth
www.tda.gov.uk/

Original poster
OrmIrian · 08/01/2008 12:48

Thanks.

I managed to get through to speak to a lovely lady. Sadly it looks a bit doubtful. They can't take my work experience into account, only my degree (from 20yrs ago!) which is not a required subject .

And as to finding my o-level certificates....ha!

Some more thinking to be done I think.

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dramaqueen · 08/01/2008 12:50

OrmIrian, I did my teacher training about 5 years ago when I was in my mid thirties. I have an odd degree, Classics. They were fine with my O levels for english & maths (i had grade Bs. when it came to applying, I had to demonstrate on the apllication form that a certain percentage of my degree was relevant to a National Curriculum subject i.e. I put that 50% of my degree was literature based etc. I can't remeber much now, sorry. Also in my personal statement I related alot of my work experience to teaching, i.e. training new staff and stuff like that.

I do have a copy of my personal statement somewhere I think. If you want it I can email it to you if you get as far as applying.

Blandmum · 08/01/2008 12:50

R your certificate, yo ucan contact the exam board and they will (at a price) send you a new one. I had to do this, because my mother had trown mine away!

BTW I took your advice over the Menabilly Cottage, and it is booked for the summer, so thank you!

dramaqueen · 08/01/2008 12:50

It is easy to get copies of your O level certificates. You phone up OCR.

harpsichordcarrier · 08/01/2008 12:52

Ormorian what do you want to teach?
primary or secondary?
what is your degree?
I have just been given a place on a PGCE to teach secondary English, and my degree is not in English - this is not all that unusual although you would have to prove your potential and work experience makes up for it.
there are also "catch up" courses in certain subjects.
if you want to teach, don't give up!

Blandmum · 08/01/2008 12:52

Phoning OCR will only work if your exam board was OCR.

I had to contact the WJEC!

harpsichordcarrier · 08/01/2008 12:53

my tactic was to contact the course leader of the institution direct and see what he had to say

DaDaDa · 08/01/2008 12:53

Is it Primary or Secondary you're looking at? Would you not be eligible for the GTP? That is aimed at more mature candidates. I looked into it last year, have a non curriculum degree but then again I was considering Primary teaching...

Original poster
OrmIrian · 08/01/2008 12:53

My degree was Archaeology and English. She advised that I ignore the english bit as there is no demand for that, and put down geography as my subject (50%). I have no in-school experience but I suppose some training experience in work.

Also no guarantee of a job. The school trains you but doesn't offer a job there.

Thanks dramaqueen - I may well contact you later. Bit unsure atm.

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DaDaDa · 08/01/2008 12:54

Oh, and for general advice I found the TDA phoneline very helpful.

Blandmum · 08/01/2008 12:55

50% of the course in English should be enough. I would have thought. Particularly if you could streess the Historical aspects of archeology IYSWIM.

TellusMater · 08/01/2008 12:56

You need to teach the subject you love. Not the one in which there is a shortage of teachers.

I've taught Maths, which was interesting and all, but not my passion, and I am a better Biology teacher than a Maths teacher for sure.

What do you love?

Original poster
OrmIrian · 08/01/2008 12:58

Wah! So many posts

I can't even remember what board it was. Oxford, some Cambridge(?), London.... I will need to root them out. I know I have them somewhere as mum gave them to me recently.

It's secondary dadada, or even FE.

harpischord - I think I might just be looking for a way out of my current job and career. And teaching appeals to me (gawd knows why having seen DH and 2 SILs give it up in despair). So my motivation probably isn't of the best.

So pleased you liked the cottage MB. It really is the most beautiful area

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Original poster
OrmIrian · 08/01/2008 12:59

English no good sadly. There is no demand for it atm apparently.

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S101 · 08/01/2008 12:59

You should be fine with your grades.

They will probably class you as a mature student and are really flexible with qualifactions for teacher training.

They will also consider your IT experience as they do like mature students who have worked previously.

Teach something you enjoy, you should okay if you want to go into secondary. Yes there is a shortage in some areas but if you are prepared to travel for work then you should be okay.

Good Luck with career.

dramaqueen · 08/01/2008 13:00

I agree MB, if you know which board you were.

OCR mopped up alot of the exam boards which are not in existence any more, I was told. Mine were SUJB, who vanished some time ago. OCR will help you find out who your board was.

Original poster
OrmIrian · 08/01/2008 13:01

Hmmm... I am thinking that I need to use a different route than this particular teacher training consortium. They don't sound flexible at all. I was just looking for an easy route in.

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harpsichordcarrier · 08/01/2008 13:03

OK well tbh I would suggest that you go and get some in school experience. and see if you actually like it and want to do it.
ime you can find somewhere to take you (for training and a job)if you are good enough. but you need to be sure it is what you want to do, really.

S101 · 08/01/2008 13:04

OrmIrian just read the other threads.

They do accept the old grades for entry.

Out of interest how are you applying for entry onto the course.

Contact the University first thing and speak to the Careers department if you don't any luck, they will advise you.

Blandmum · 08/01/2008 13:05

Agree with Tellusmater that yo have to love what you teach. If not it would be a very trying job.

Have you spent time in a school recently? Good idea to spend a week shadowing someone.

Original poster
OrmIrian · 08/01/2008 13:08

s101 - I'm applying to a teacher training consortium that takes you on for a year to a local school and trains you whilst paying a minimal salary. I'm not sure if it's associated with a university although I suppose it must be.

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