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Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Original poster

Getting into teaching

10 replies

Debs75 · 01/05/2015 20:10

OK I may be mad but I am thinking of becoming a teacher, it was my original career choice back in college, I had a baby so put it off. I've not worked since as raising a family and recently went to college to do an access to uni, health professions, wanted to do midwifery, my other dream career, but been rejected twice now and feel like time is running out if I am going to have any meaningful career (am 39)
So how did you all get into teaching? I would like to do key stage 2 or 3 and I know I need to go to Uni but can I do it without getting a degree first?

OP posts:
Oakmaiden · 01/05/2015 20:19

You will need a degree.

Choices are taking a degree which offers QTS (normally 4 years) or a 3 year degree which you follow with a PGCE. There are a few other routes, but all of them require a degree.

Buttercup27 · 01/05/2015 20:20

My degree with qts took 3 years.

Buttercup27 · 01/05/2015 20:21

Sorry posted too soon. I did work experience at a school to help support my application.

Redlocks28 · 01/05/2015 20:23

Yep-definitely need to do a degree first. Ideally in a curriculum subject. If you want to teach ks3- probably best to do it in the subject you'd like to teach!

JemimaPuddled · 01/05/2015 20:23

You need a degree, mine was 4yrs undergrad education and my main subject, ks2&3 with QTS (20 yrs ago)

fredfredsausagehead1 · 02/05/2015 07:04

Why don't you try and get a job as a teaching assistant? And see how you like being in school? Do some volunteering and talk to some teachers and headteachers?

You do need a degree. Say for example you had a English degree or another subject you were passionate about, then you could do a PGCE..you can now do primary PGCE...but you do need a fair bit of experience in school to be accepted on the course. Also after a degree there is the option of school based training, check what's available in your district.

Another option is the 4 year QTS, education based with school placements each year, but lots of other modules ie art, music etc

One option would be to work as a teaching assistant whilst doing a degree with the OU in a core subject, then try and get a school based PGCE

Fallulah · 02/05/2015 14:08

I'm just finishing school direct salaried in secondary and I have LOVED it. Took a massive pay cut to do it (I'm 35) and don't have husband/parents so it's been exhausting to train and have a second job in a pub so that I could still live, but I've no regrets at all.

You will train in primary or secondary, so for e.g. I am trained in KS3, 4 and 5. I don't think you can choose to only do KS3.

You definitely need a degree and to be able to evidence working with young people in some capacity. I'd never stepped in a classroom before my interview but had years of voluntary work behind me.

Original poster
Debs75 · 04/05/2015 13:30

Thanks all. I have volunteered with both children and families recently and have been in school settings. I would love to teach maths but i know I'm not clever enough for the degree. That is why i am looking at primary teaching.
I know a friend who is doing the chips course which can lead to primary education and the course sounds great. I am going to talk to her about what she needed to get on the course and have a chat with our local uni

OP posts:
Redlocks28 · 04/05/2015 13:37

What's the chips course? I have never heard of that?

Original poster
Debs75 · 04/05/2015 15:26

CHildrens InterProfessional Studies. It can lead to work in education, child nursing and social care

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