Wanting to teach in a college

[MamaPingu]

Would this be how I could become a college teacher?

I am hopefully going to be starting an art degree next year then doing a years teacher training after completing that.
Do you then have to work in a high school before usually being able to teach at AS/A level?

Also, how do you then go on to teach in a university, just out of interest?

Lots of teachers in FE have school experience but many don't. A lot start off part-time; others start full-time. Have a look at Times Ed (the newspaper or online) and see how many jobs there are in your subject between Jan-May. If you are not prepared to move to where there are jobs, consider qualifying in a subject where there's a demand. It's not easy getting a job as an Art teacher in schools and getting worse.

I don't know about uni but many used to start as PhD students. Maybe being an exhibiting artist counts for more in Art. I would look carefully at the market before starting your degree unless you are doing it for other reasons and a teaching job isn't an essential at the end of it. I'm not trying to put you off - really! But if you need a job at the end of four years, look at the demand now.

I know art teaching jobs will be difficult but I'm prepared to battle haha!

I've always had a natural flare for art and excel in it. At college I got an A* with very little effort (I was a lazy bugger back then) and I really enjoy it so I feel it is my only option for a degree really. If I did anything else there's a big chance I'd hate it and not enjoy it so not do as well!

So I think doing a degree is priority at the moment then I'd do as much as possible to work in favour for getting a job eg. Work experience and things.

Thankyou for your reply

I meant to put doing a degree I enjoy

It makes sense to study a subject you enjoy and for which you have a flair. If you are open to other careers where a degree is Art is an advantage then you don't have to worry too much about opportunities for teaching. If you really want to teach Art, then I would do your research.

Assuming you are prepared to teach anywhere and not too fussy about the type of school or college, look at job adverts in the spring term. You may find there are very few for Art. Look at those that are available - would you be prepared to move that far? Are they in schools or colleges? In a small school, A' Level teaching is often the preserve of experienced staff. Would you be happy taking on lots of KS3 classes. Could you offer other subjects? If you see schools asking for Photography, for example, look for ways in getting appropriate experience.

If you find that there are enough jobs around (Art is being squeezed by EBacc subjects), look for opportunities to work with different age groups, or at least observe classes in different schools and colleges. My friend's partner is an artist and he runs workshops for secondary school students. Despite this, he has been unable to get more than a couple of temporary jobs but that could be because he is not prepared to move to another area.

You seem fixed on doing your degree so just go for it and see what happens. Good luck!