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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

PCGE with no intention of teaching ?

191 replies

Sofabitch · 16/09/2016 23:41

Has anyone done the pcge with no intention of actually going into teaching?

I'm considering doing it. The bursary is pretty good and I could really do with a year to bump up my finances and repair my savings after 3 years of student finance before starting on the bottom rung of somewhere.

I figure it will look great on my CV regardless and has loads of great skills that I can take with me into my carer, plus I can get 60 credits at Masters level which saves a few thousand on the OU.

Is this an unworkable plan?

I mean there is a possibility I'll love it right ;-) but from everything I've read I'm not holding my breath.

I think i would enjoy it. But realistically don't think I could be a teacher in today's climate.

OP posts:
t4nut · 16/09/2016 23:42

Not thought of it like that. Hellish year to go through though.

DitheringDiva · 17/09/2016 08:31

I don't see why not. Don't know how much the bursary is and how much of it goes on fees etc, so no idea how much it would help with finances.

My biggest worry for you is that you might fall in love with it, and then you'll be on a slippery slope into a career in teaching! Aaaargh!!!

I left teaching 3 years ago having worked in an awful school with shocking bullying management, with every intention of doing something non-teaching, but I was drawn back by pay, ease of school holiday childcare etc. I've just started a new job in an absolutely lovely school, and although it's very hard work, I'm loving it again, just like I did when I first started!

It's the type of school that a PGCE student (and teacher) ends up in that often makes or breaks it for them.

superram · 17/09/2016 08:37

I would just get a job that pays more than the bursary and save yourself the hassle.

storynanny · 17/09/2016 08:41

Old teacher here.
The job is far too hard to do if you dont love it. PGCE is very full on, very different to university life. Plus you will not get accepted onto the course without school experience.

alivealiveoh · 17/09/2016 08:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GreatPointIAgreeWithYouTotally · 17/09/2016 08:47

Surely you'd be depriving a potential teacher their place on the course? Would that not bother you? Or is it quite usual to do the course and see how you enjoy it? I've no idea-genuine question.

Original poster
Sofabitch · 17/09/2016 09:16

Experience isn't a problem. I was a youth worker working in inclusion in schools for 10 years before I went back to do a degree.

I do really enjoy working with young people. But im not entirely keen on the bullshit that appears to go with teaching.

I don't think I could get a job that pays more than the bursary... 25k plus 10k student loan plus I'd keep my tax credits as it's not income related. Its a lot of money... equivalent of 50k job with tax etc

I just figure it's one crazy year. I could work hard and save 25k easily as I'm used to surviving on just the basic student finance. Recover my loses so to speak for a year.

Plus the gain of 60 masters credits. I will do a masters through the OU either way.

No i don't worry I'll be depriving someone a place. I'll be entering an area where there are massive shortages.

OP posts:
trufflepiggy · 17/09/2016 09:21

I got accepted into a PGCE last year with only one day school work experience so they don't necessarily want school experience.

I didn't take the place though

Winewinewinewine · 17/09/2016 09:27

I don't think it's really in the spirit of education to do a course just to earn money is it? The bursaries are set up to attract people to a struggling profession. Or provide for people who want to teach, and would be good at it, but can't afford the course. Personally it wouldn't sit well with me that I was using it for my own personal benefit with no intention of giving anything back.

HandbagCrab · 17/09/2016 09:32

I know people that have taken the pgce and the money and decided it's not for them. I don't blame them tbh. Most subjects are not oversubscribed at the moment and gov are failing recruitment targets so you won't be depriving a bright eyed idealist of a place.

If it's equivalent to 50k you wouldn't see money like that again in teaching until you were an experienced assistant head! It seems nonsensical to pay pgce students more than qualified teachers but that's education for you.

I'd check the credits can be used towards non education masters at the institution of your choice. Best of luck

Original poster
Sofabitch · 17/09/2016 09:45

But surely if they really want to attract and keep good quality teachers they shouldn't only front load the rewards.

Would make more sense to improve working conditions and work life balance throughout the career.

Doesn't make sense to give someone 35k tax free to train and then offer them 22k starting salary.

I'm not especially worried about the morals of doing it for the wrong reasons. Its there and once I have it I could theoretically return at anytime. Its a government flaw that they think getting more people to train without address the reason it's hard to recruit or why people are leaving the profession.

More about if it's possible before I look into the options.

Although it does make me wonder how many people only do teacher training for the initial cost benefit. And then actually love it. Equally people must start the training and want a career but with such a large drop out is that a waste?

OP posts:
trufflepiggy · 17/09/2016 09:59

I thought you would have to pay the tuition fees out of the £25,000?

ktjb39 · 17/09/2016 10:01

I really wouldn't! Pgce is tough and you are teaching for a huge amount of the course. Teaching is a wonderful job but only if your heart is in it.

rollonthesummer · 17/09/2016 10:02

I wouldn't. The drop out rage is so high because teaching is in total disarray at the moment. A PGCE 'might' look good on your CV; a failed PGCE wouldn't.

ktjb39 · 17/09/2016 10:02

I really wouldn't! Pgce is tough and you are teaching for a huge amount of the course. Teaching is a wonderful job but only if your heart is in it.

ktjb39 · 17/09/2016 10:06

Also worth bearing in mind that even if you complete pgce you still have to teach for a year to be fully qualified.

OrangeSquashTallGlass · 17/09/2016 10:08

'I just figure it's one crazy year'

Understatement of the century. It's a lot to go through if you're only in it for the money. You really do need a substantial amount of blind love for the job to see you through.

alivealiveoh · 17/09/2016 10:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AnyTheWiser · 17/09/2016 10:20

I thought you had to pay fees now for pgce?

HandbagCrab · 17/09/2016 10:21

You don't need to be qualified to teach in an academy, free school or private school so the nqt year is not as important as it once was. Fe would probably snap your hand off too if you have a pgce already. You don't need to be qualified in state either tbh you just get paid less.

HandbagCrab · 17/09/2016 10:21

I'd grit my teeth and do a pgce again for the equivalent of 50k!

noblegiraffe · 17/09/2016 10:22

We had a PGCE student who was only in it for the money. Everyone thought he was a dick. We (as teachers) had to slog our guts out supporting him, helping him with his planning (as you do with all PGCE students), give up our classes so that he could teach them, meetings, paperwork and so on and the fucker had no intention of becoming a teacher. What a waste of our time.

Shadowboy · 17/09/2016 10:24

Wow things have changed since I did my PGCE 10 years ago! £25,000?!!!! I got £600 towards training and worked in Laura Ashley part time to fund the rest.

My subject is now a shortage subject. Last May there were 160 vacancies in one week for secondary teaching in my subject.

Would have done the PGCE for a CV boost? No. It was bloody hard work. I had two placements one in a private school with Saturday morning teaching! And the other was at a failing comprehensive with the most racist head of department I could ever have met. I love teaching but the PGCE nearly put me off completely!

GlowWine · 17/09/2016 10:37

It's already all been said: it's very hard work and the only thing that gets you through is your love and enthusiasm for teaching. You'll be doing lengthy placements in school that may test your confidence to the limit. I can't speak for other institutions but at mine you will also need at least two weeks recent experience in a state school before applying and you might still get weeded out in the interview process. Try it by all means but I'm not sure it's as easy as you imagine.

HonniBee · 17/09/2016 10:47

Please please please don't do this. It's very selfish and short sighted.

I am a mentor at my school and I had a trainee like you last year. It was the most frustrating experience. He didn't really want to teach so didn't follow any of my recommendations to improve his lessons. I spent hours and hours trying to help him, the kids learnt nothing and after he left I had to work super hard to catch them up to the rest of the year group.

we ended up failing him as he just wasn't making progress. And I think he had to pay some of the money back? (Though I'm not sure about this- please check!)

I felt really frustrated having to work so hard with this guy knowing he didn't even want to be a teacher. Please think of the impact your actions will have on others:
students who might not get a place on a PGCE because of you,
the amount of effort a mentor will have to go to to help you (we do this voluntarily to help people who want to be teachers, not to help people make an easy buck)
And children who's education might be impacted by you (I'm not saying you'll be no good, but ime the students with less passion for the career put less effort into their teaching)

Please don't do it!