Bizarrely after much anguish over where my career is taking me I suddenly realised last night that I could turn my interest in education into a career change. My current job involves teaching adults quite a lot, and I really enjoy this, although I know that children are a totally different kettle of fish!
I have just started to look into options, but I am already quite confused by the different routes/course/application methods in England and Wales. Some websites that purport to apply to both only seem to talk about England. I do realise this lack of comprehension ability does not bode well (!) but I would be really really glad to hear from anyone who has done this. It would only be possible for me to do this via a employment based route.
I have a degree in a subject not unrelated to the national curriculum (can't say or I'll probably out myself what with recent threads I've been on). I also have particular skills/experience I can offer in two or three other key subjects.
I guess I have three particular questions:
- Is this even doable financially if you are the main earner? Training salaries are around £15k I think? The websites I've looked at seem to suggest there is a sliding scale but with no explanation of how that is applied.
- What are the best ways to get prior experience? I work full time but I'm thinking I could perhaps volunteer at the school breakfast club - would that be worthwhile do you reckon?
- Is there any point? Is there a real likelihood of jobs at the end of it? And does an NQT always start at the very bottom of the scale, even with 15+ years of experience elsewhere?
If you have seen previous threads of mine about education/living in Wales please try to resist any snide remarks - I really can't be bothered to name change to avoid them. Let's just say things have moved on substantially in the past few days. TIA!