Routes into teaching a specific subject...

[runningman]

Hi, could any teachers or parents please advise on what path to follow if you want to teach a specific subject at secondary school? Do you have to get A-levels, then do a degree, then do your teacher training? Many thanks.

There are various different routes into teaching. IF you look on the teacher training website (think called TDA) it will give you the options. Traditional way is doing a degree in chosen subject then teacher training for a year but there are other routes too.

First it depends which subject. Which are you thinking of?

You need a related degree first and foremost. A-levels not necessary.

Then your options are a PGCE or school-centred training like the GTP. Both have their advantages and disadvantages but you need a degree to get on to either.

Many thanks, rainbow/frakkinstein

Just to add that I have taught with colleagues whose degree was not in the subject they teach. I am Head of Performing Arts at my school, and my degree was in English and Theatre Studies. I then did an English with Drama PGCE. I used to work with a colleague whose degree was Psychology and Sociology, and whose PGCE was History. She taught Drama with me, but did a poor job (she would have done a poor job, no matter what subject IMO - she's no longer teaching) but now work with a colleague whose degree was in English, PGCE in English, now teaches a bit of Performing Arts but whose main job is Head of Business Studies. She's fantastic at teaching all of her subjects (Ofsted have given her more than one Outstanding judgement)

At interviews, my A Level subjects (English, History, Classics (not Drama/Theatre Studies)) have been discussed in terms of "what else could you teach if you were needed to??" so I think A Level do count to a point, but not in terms of someone being accepted or not on a PGCE IYSWIM.

Dsis is doing a PGCE at the moment. She is not a recent graduate, and despite having loads of experience running a playgroup, and having undertaken as much work experience as she could get at her DD1's primary school, was told that at GTP was not appropriate as she didn't have enough school-based experience. My Dad, who sits on the board for this says that GTPs were really designed with those who were already working in schools as TAs or unqualified teachers in mind, so if you're talking about a DC, who is yet to go to university, then PGCE might be the best route.

Although you would apply for a post advertising a vacancy to teach a specific subject(s) a school can in fact require you to teach any subject at all where there is a need. So, in theory you can apply for a post to teach, for example, Maths, and find yourself required to teach a bit of French as well. Unlikely but not beyond the realms of possibility.

Thanks, Evil, very interesting and helpful post. Thanks also, Pluto - yes, I know that my DS comes home and says Mr X has taught maths, even though he's the PE teacher!!