Teacher

[tld1997]

Hi all, I've seen a role in a school close to me for a secondary teacher in the arts. I do not have a qts or PGCE but have an undergraduate degree in art (a first). My question is if it's worth reaching out to the school to see if they would hire me as an unqualified teacher or not. I'm not sure how an unqualified teacher works or if there is some kind of on the job training you can do to become a teacher but also get a salary? I've seen a few options but am just questioning if you can contact a school directly and ask them to train you to teach whilst you work in the role, or is the only route the PGCE and QTS with the designated providers?
I'm mainly looking at this route because I finished university in June and kinda need a job with pay now and not in a years time 😅 Thanks all!!

Schools can employ people who do not have QTS to cover classes - often called cover supervisors. You might be able to ask the school about such a role that could maybe focus on covering classes in the arts dept (but it's unlikely that there would be enough cover needed there so you might have to cover anything). It's not usually a very well-paid role though and can be challenging.

There are, or were, programmes through which you could train to be a teacher at a school while working. I trained as a teacher while working four days a week in a school and being paid a salary (again, much lower than a teacher's salary). At the end I had a PGCE and QTS. I'm pretty sure that programme (GTP) no longer runs though.

Do you want to be a teacher though? Or do you just need a job? It's not an easy role and most schools would want to see some evidence of volunteering and experience in schools.

It's worth trying the school. Some schools do take on graduates as unqualified teachers and train them on the job, paying them on the unqualified teacher pay scale.

As far as I am aware there are two main routes for teacher training for graduates:

1. the traditional route where you register at a university or other training provider (school or consortium of schools). At the end of the year (assuming you were successful) you would get QTS and a PGCE. I think only universities can award PGCEs, so you would need to pay fees of £9,250. Student loans are available and in some subjects there are bursaries. For art and design the bursary is £10,000.

2. the salaried route. You would be employed direct by a school as an unqualified teacher and at the end of the year (again assuming you were successful) you would get QTS but not a PGCE. You don't need a PGCE to teach, though some schools prefer them.

If the local school doesn't work out, you could see what is available here.
find-teacher-training-courses.service.gov.uk

I could find only a few options for art and design (and none on the salaried route) but obviously you have left it rather late in the day for this year, given that the school year has already started!

Ahh thank you, I only finished my degree in June and had no thought into what I was going to do next really. I was looking for home based roles but in the fields I'm looking in you need a LOT of experience for just a junior role, a couple of my friends are secondary teachers and they'd recommended it to me but by that point it was July 😅 the main reason I'm rushing is because the school close to me is hiring a photography and arts teacher which is exactly what I can do and I've been told they're struggling to find someone to fill the position, otherwise I will probably find something temporary and apply for next years teacher training ☺️

Hi there thank you! Yes I know I've left it late I think it's the indecisiveness and thinking I couldn't work being a teacher around my daughter but after thorough thought it seems to be the best option when my partner works shifts so that I'd have the most time off with her, in my head I'd decided I wouldn't be able to do it so never pursued it but probably should have last year. I only finished university in June and thought I'd be able to get something WFH but the jobs I've been applying for are getting over 500 applicants so there's just no chance, if I can't get work from home I think I'll definitely be able to work teaching around my daughters school, I've managed to complete my degree full time whilst having a toddler and a part time job in a primary school so I'm definitely used to pressure and time constraints, I think maybe waiting another year would be for the best and do the normal teacher training route I'm just a bit gutted because the role would have been perfect for me

I know you've said you've spoken to teachers.... But have you asked about workload? I'd be tempted to start a thread asking if teaching is familu friendly.

Its the complete opposite of a wfh job. You won't be able to do any school runs, see any school plays, go to sports day, go to their assemblies (some schools do allow you a discretionary day).

Several evenings/a day at the weekend you will likely be planning and marking.

It used to be a good choice for parents wanting to work around their kids, and it does have the holidays, but so many people leave teaching after having kids (for hybrid jobs I think now, or at least more flexible work where you can have a day off or change a shift).

Just go into it with your eyes open. It's fine if you have a very supportive partner or parent to support you and cna be a lovely job but is intense and exhausting and full on.

It you do want to do it it could be worth contacting the school and asking. If they haven't got one in place they may happily pay you the unqualified scale and it would give you a fair idea if you want to train

https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk