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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

advice on becoming a primary school teacher

18 replies

jessica3692 · 14/10/2015 19:40

Evening all!

I hope I'm posting this is the best place; please let me know if not!

Bit of background information: I'm 23 with an 8 month old. I was on maternity leave but recently applied for voluntary redundancy at a law firm (I worked as a legal sec) and I have been accepted so I'm now officially unemployed!

I always thought I'd go back into it in the new year but I think I've always known there is more to me than that and I've always had this hidden desire to work with children, as a primary school teacher.

I'm hoping you lovely people can give me a bit of advice on how to get there and if it's possible to do part time studying and how much experience do I need etc.

So I have 8 GCSEs, grade C in Maths and English but a D in science - do I need to retake GCSE Science?

I then went straight to an ILEX Diploma in Legal Secretarial training. That is currently my only qualifications. I did two weeks work experience about 7 years ago in a primary school and LOVED it!

So if you could give me some advice and what I need to do and how to get there that would be incredible! The more info the better! Part time would be preferable as I don't want my baby to be in nursery full time and I'm not sure my partner could afford that cost as well!

Thank you so much in advance!

OP posts:

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spanieleyes · 14/10/2015 20:29

You will need to retake your science GCSE as a grade C or above is required for primary school teaching, you will also need a degree! You can either undertake a degree ( in just about any mainstream subject!) followed by a PGCE or you can undertake a teaching degree ( B. Ed) which includes a PGCE as part of it ( there are other routes too if you have a degree which involve training in schools) But in all cases you need to be educated to degree level and beyond to teach.

You could look to find employment/training as a TA and complete your degree part time or via the OU whilst working as this would give you experience and an income but TA jobs are hard to acquire!

Have a look at getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/ for more information

But be warned, teaching is NOT a family friendly occupation!

Lowdoorinthewall · 14/10/2015 20:32

You will need a degree (either degree of your choice then PGCE or 4 year BEd) so I would think your first port of call is looking at entering one of these routes as a mature student.

Personally I would go for a BEd as I think people with these enter the profession better trained and more ready for the job (I did a badly run PGCE and still feel like I pretty much taught myself how to teach over a number of painful years).

LadyNymeriaGhost · 14/10/2015 21:04

You can do a 3 year BA in Primary Ed, it's exactly the same as a BEd. To be fair, even if you do a teaching degree, you learn almost everything on the job anyway.

HopeClearwater · 14/10/2015 21:56

Stay in law and avoid teaching. Seriously.

BrianButterfield · 14/10/2015 21:58

Don't base your decision on your old work experience - so much has changed in 7 years it's unbelievable.

KatharineClifton · 14/10/2015 22:00

I did 2 years of a BEd and realised I hated teaching. Such a bloody waste of time. If I could go back I'd do a normal degree then a pgse after.

I would look at 'The Staffroom' on here and talk to a LOT of teachers before you even begin to go down this route.

cece · 14/10/2015 22:04

I would think very carefully about this. You have an 8 month old. Teaching is not family friendly at all. Perhaps get a job as a TA to begin with and see what it involves first hand. You can then train on the job I believe.

cece · 14/10/2015 22:05

LOL - look at all us teachers warning her against it! Take heed!

crystalgall · 14/10/2015 22:07

Honestly as a teacher (secondary) I would seriously reconsider this. Teaching seems family friendly because of the holidays but it's not. You will spend most of the holidays working as well as weekends. Days are long and you will b planning in to the evening.

From what I hear about primary teaching there's even more pressure than secondary. Two weeks work experience 7 years ago is probably
Not the best indicator.

Sorry to be a downer!

crystalgall · 14/10/2015 22:08

Oh god several xposts. Teachers are out in force!

Fairenuff · 14/10/2015 23:07

If you are sure you want to do it OP, I would wait until your child starts school as these pre-school years are great for taking advantage of cheap holidays. Once in school, you will have to pay premium price to go/stay anywhere during the school holidays.

WombatStewForTea · 14/10/2015 23:08

Don't do it.
Or if you do go in with your eyes wide open and base it on some recent and long term experience.

Original poster

jessica3692 · 15/10/2015 08:15

Thanks for the very honest tips and I will take a look at the staffroom too!

I think for now I'll put it on hold and reconsider in a few years!

Perhaps it would be good for me to do a degree (unrelated to teaching) so that gives me more options and then in a few years if I do still like the idea of teaching at least I have a degree and I'm one step closer! Anyone done a part time/evening/or even study at home degree?

Thanks again all!

OP posts:

Needmorewine · 15/10/2015 08:27

Look at the Open Uni OP. I started it pre DC and finished my degree in July this year. It took me 4 years in total. Fab course materials, tutors and very doable around family life. I did it alongside a part time TA role and I'm starting a part time PGCE in January!

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 16/10/2015 09:24

Do a degree by all means, but keep your options open and don't restrict it to teaching. Teaching is in crisis and 50,000 leaving cannot be positive.

mrz · 17/10/2015 07:18

Volunteer in a school and talk to the staff while getting experience of schools now. You'll need recent experience when applying for many courses.
I'm a teacher and love the job but it's not family friendly as others have said.

DrawingRoomBlue · 17/10/2015 07:29

Yep, I definitely agree that teaching is not family friendly. I'm not a teacher but my dh was until earlier this year. Now he has left I feel I have my husband back and we can actually spend time together as a family. Life is so much better now.

Good luck with whatever you plan to do.

mrz · 17/10/2015 09:28

www.theguardian.com/education/2015/oct/10/teacher-shortfall-schools-overseas-recruits

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