PGCE with 2 kids

[Lolainlondon]

Hi ,

I am planning to do my PGCE ‘s in primary education in September.
I have 2 kids one in full time education and my almost 3 year old will be in nursery.
I am worried about the load of work and assignments and the fact that I wont be with my kids all the time….

Has anyone been in the same situation? Any advice is greatly appreciated .

Thanks

Honestly and not at all what you want to hear but even with a partner and lots of family support I wouldn't if I were in your situation. The pgce year is not to be underestimated and you're right to be worried about the very real likelihood of seeing little of your children.

Can you tell me more if that’s ok?
should i just do the QTS instead?
I’m a bit reluctant…

It takes over your life and the hours are seemingly never ending. It's also not a family friendly career so even after completing your PGCE it's likely you'll miss quite a bit of your childrens important milestones. Sorry to paint it as a bleak picture but so many go into it with idealistic expectations.

PGCEs are tough, I did mine in my early 20s over 20 years ago and it was hard!

But, if you’re with the right provider and get the right school placements this will help massively. Be upfront with your course tutors that you have a lot to juggle, try and get placements with a shorter commute. Make sure your school mentors support you.

If you want to teach then go for it but I’d check if there are jobs in your area, I know there’s press about teacher shortages but in can actually be hard getting work in primary education if the area has high staff stability.

I did a PGCE when my youngest was 3 and my eldest 5.

Not going to lie it wasn't easy but I coped. Am now 5 years into teaching. Do I love teaching yes. Do I love all the other bullshit that comes with it? No. But I see my self staying in the profession for the foreseeable future.

Yes I miss out on some things my kids do. What other working mum doesn't?

But I have a wonderful head that allows me time off for important events. I am also very lucky to have a husband that can do the school run.

It's swings and roundabouts I guess.

If teaching is you passion go for it!

How will you get QTS without doing a PGCE?

You can do assessment only route and get QTS.

Not many places offer it.

Assessment only route is for people who already have significant teaching experience and just need the boxes ticking to be qualified. It's not for newbies.

Only 2 years working in a school. Minimum.

Depends on OPs background and the provider. Some have higher requirements than others.

You still need to prove you meet the teaching standards and have the minimum qualifications. Both GCSEs and degree.

No, the government requirement is that you have taught in at least two different schools and can meet the teaching standards without any training.

Minimum of 2 year and 2 different schools. Yep.

Sorry only saying your significant amount of time is only 2 years and yes you have to have been in 2 different school.

It will more than likely change soon as the new teacher recruitment drive come in.

You can do a PGCE with a third class degree now. Was a 2:2 minimum.

Schools are getting desperate, there are more and more unqualified teachers teaching. HLTA are teaching. It is a bit of a mess in some schools.

I did mine 20-odd years ago 🙈 and it was a tough workload, but so were the first couple of years of teaching. PP are right that it’s not actually all that family-friendly as a career path- you can’t take time off to your own DC’s nativity, sports day etc. Don’t do it unless you’re desperate to be a teacher.