open university : becoming a teacher

[LittleCheese]

Im 21 and had my DD in january 2007, I have no formal qualifications other than GCSE's but would really like to become a primary school teacher. I realise I will need a degree for this, but as I work part time Im not sure I could fit even a part time degree at a traditional university in at the moment. However I do have free evenings and some time at the weekend spare therefore I was thinking of a distance learning degree. Does any one know if the Open University Degrees have as higher standing with employers as a traditional university and whether it would be likely to get on to a pgce course upon completing an open university degree. Any advice welcome

yeah thats a good plan Im looking at going straight for the 121 have done the course quizzes and think I can probably handle that one, have also looked at which text books are good to get me up to scratch so going to go to the library next week and just work my way through them between now and september. Are you working at the moment? How old is DS?

no not working at the minute, DS is 2.

i'm currently debating if to go back PT when DS is 3 and in nursery or not and use the extra time for studying. I prob will do - esp as I didn't realise you needed the exp of working with children to get onto the pgce course.

looking at the quizzes I thought i'd be ok with the 120 & 121, however as I say wanted to get into the swing of things gently (as the y160 course is on a very basic level - also thought as it's been a good ooh 4 years since I last studied properly (and 2 since last working) my brain needs to get into gear again! lol.

Are you thinking of finding work in a school then when Ds goes to nursery.
I love dd with all my heart but after a year at home with her I really felt the need to go back to work. I have just started a part time very easy unstressfull job which gets me out of the house a bit and definately makes me appreciate the time i spend with dd more. Plus she loves nursery so it has worked well.
however i definately need to study something to get my brain into gear I can feel it slowly shutting down, plus i acctually really enjoy learning...sad i know

lol. hey don't talk about sad - I was the one in class who actually loved maths & found the whole trig/geom/algebra easy - could have been the teacher was good at getting me to understand thou?. I think they call it being a geek! I'll go back yes I think (am starting to go stir crazy now - but am having some issues with my parents who would currently prefer for me to stop with DS as it's only till November when he's 2.9m and can go to nursery then. So would do something unstressful to begin with, then with a view for something in the schools for the following Septembers.

hmmmm why do parents always think they know best hehe, although no doubt we will have our own views when dc's grow up. Where abouts in the country are you? How did you do in your maths gcse?

I got a B - many many moons ago - by the time it came around to actually taking the exam I was too busy with boys to really worry again much to my parents disgust! lol. how did you do? i'm in portsmouth - where are you?

Im in leeds got an A 5 years ago now, that is actually quite scary to say. I think my good grade was acctually down to my boyfriend at the time. before I was with him i really didnt care but he was a bit "geeky" so made me revise, which I am greatful of now. Unfortunately he is also the one that messed my a levels up although if that hadnt happened I wouldnt have Dh and DD now so i dont hold a grudge

ah 5 years is nothing- mine was 10! OMG! lol. now I feel old! leeds, god got lost up there once - went over for a day trip when I was living in bradford with XH at MIL's only went shopping, ended up ringing H in tears asking where I was like a muppet! lol.

o dear , i still get lost sometimes when driving way too many one way systems and when shopping too many of the same shop dotted every where which can get confusing

Did my PGCE and my driving test at Leeds. Driving round Harehills estate in the evening was a test of nerve lol.

did you always makesure you had the doors locked?

Yes. Never liked slowing down for the 3 point turn either!