Teacher training in my 50s- Teach First teacher training programme - or assessment only route?

[bernice28]

I'm in my 50s and I am currently working as a TA in a specialist independent school with SEND kids. (This has been a career sidestep for me as I have years of teaching experience in Higher Education and a PhD.)
HE teaching work is not a reliable income source, and now I find I love working in SEND education.
This year I am due to start teacher training on the Teach First programme, which I previously applied for before I started working as a SEND TA. I did this for career development primarily - although I am not entirely sure I want to go into mainstream teaching, the chance of gaining QTS/PGCE with a salary (I'm a single mum) seems really sensible. However I've heard that the TF training isgruelling; my instinct really is to withdraw and try and get on a gentler training route. I have researched other ways to gain QTS and it seems like the assessment only route might be better for me at this stage of life (and because I have prior exprience given my work in HE). Also I would prefer to train in SEND. Or should I just go for Teach First?

I'm not a teacher but did used to work at TF.

It's tough, I won't lie. The hardest thing is teaching a class from day 1 with an 80% timetable (60-80% in primary). Although obviously you have classroom experience which is great but it's still hard.

It used to have a bigger academic stream to it, leading to a PGDE across the two years. Now it's a PGCE but there's still a fair bit of work required from what I know (I left as this was changing). But, it's paid and if you can stick it out, it's a good route. And to be fair, teaching is hard anyway!

It is gruelling OP. I currently have a TF student in my class and she’s struggling. I’m a very experienced teacher (33 years in primary) and I think this route into the job is frankly cruel. I’ve had student teachers in the past, all except this current one have been on the traditional University pathway. Even that is hard work, not going to lie, but TF is just mental in terms of workload and expectations to teach from the starting blocks! You may have an advantage though, with your experience to date.

Good luck, whatever you decide x

I thought the point of Teach First was, well to teach first?! They've changed their entry criteria I guess?

I supervise teacher trainees and life experience does help, and personality type and energy levels are more important than age. Having said that, I'm 15 or 16 years in (mid 50s) and I'm not sure I'd have the energy now to do the Graduate Teacher Programme that I did in my late 30s/induction early 40s. I was also 80% from the outset and was the only subject specialist in my school.

Training programmes do vary so if you can possibly speak to someone who's been through the same programme before committing, then I would. It's good that it's paid though.

I'm not sure you'd qualify for the assessment-only route as your teaching experience isn't in schools?

Why Teach First rather than SCITT?

Practicalities: to qualify for AO route you have to have had full responsibility for planning, teaching and assessment for a class for min two years, across two key stages, in at least two schools, and be in a teaching post where you have the same timetable and responsibilities. It doesn’t sound like you have, so I’m not sure you’d qualify. Look into that in your geographically nearest training provider.

I also used to work for TF and agree that it is a tough route workload-wise. But as a Pp said, you have life and related work experience. Though your placement school and mentor support can vary which can make a big difference.

feel free to DM me.

DS did TF and all I can say is you need to be in a very supportive school. He had to change schools but is now a very well loved and respected teacher.he was in his late 40s.

University of Buckingham do an apprenticeship route, which only costs £500ish, plus another £500 for a PGCE. You carry on working in your current job, gradually taking on more teaching responsibilities. Takes 15 months. Uni teaching is almost all online 1 afternoon per week. They have a send specialism. There must be other unis too.

I had a trainee recently from the Buckingham course and it did seem quite good. The online lectures I thought were a good idea, and they don't expect trainees to re-invent the wheel re planning.

Buckingham is fairly unique as a set up re University though, being one of the few private ones.

I'd rather be on a salaried route than take out loans, is the main reason.

Teach First isn't the only salaried route.

Are you training in primary or secondary?

Apprenticeship is salaried - on your normal wage, not an apprenticeship wage

Coventry also do an apprenticeship, costs covered by the apprenticeship levy if your school pays into it. Paid at the same rate as TF in terms of salary. You don’t need to live in Coventry as it’s online too.

Thanks I have sent you a DM

True, it's worth vetting the school first (I think I know where it is). Thanks

Secondary

Which subject? Bursaries (tax free and sometimes very generous) are available for some subjects.

Thank you, just researching this. Might suit me well as it's for either TAs looking to upgrade to become teachers or unqualified teachers to gain QTS/PGCE. Need to already be working in a school I think or find one that will agree to host me.

Hi there, in your experience, what exactly is gruelling about it? (that makes it more so than normal TT). Is it the hit the ground runnning aspect with a heavy teaching timetable from the outset, or it is more the oversight from TF and the reporting back/showing you are meeting their standards etc...?

You could do the course in your current role - I know several people who have completed it successfully in independent special schools. Doesn't need to be a state school and doesn't need to be mainstream.

English and/or SEND