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The staffroom

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

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Original poster

Please help me become a teacher!

36 replies

PoptartPoptart · 16/07/2017 22:05

I've been a TA for six years (KS2) and I've decided that I want to become a teacher.
I have the full support of my head teacher who said that if I bring him details of the course I want to do the school will fund it and fully support me. However, my one big problem... I don't have a degree! I have all the required GCSE's, A level and Level 3 in Supporting Teaching & Learning. But no degree.
I've been researching online and found some information about the RTP (registered teacher programme) that takes non graduates and sounds perfect. I can study in my own time and continue working at the same time being paid an unqualified teacher salary. But I cannot find out how/where to apply for this.
I also read about a 'TA to teacher' programme but not sure if that's a graduate only route.
Can anyone help? I really don't want to have to quit my job and study at Uni for 3 years to be able to qualify.
With the massive shortage of teachers at the moment there's got to be an easier way in for someone like me who is passionate about becoming a teacher.
Any help/advice would be appreciated.

OP posts:

FaFoutis · 17/07/2017 19:02

The number of TAs on OU modules seems to have gone up enormously in the last few years. They almost all go on to post grad teaching courses. I have seen quite a few pick up extra teaching responsibilities in their schools based on OU work before post-grad too.
That route might suit you Poptart.

Original poster

PoptartPoptart · 17/07/2017 19:31

Thanks all again for the responses. It's definitely what I want to do. I see first hand on a daily basis how hard it is, but I still want to do it anyway!
I became a TA six years ago after quitting my well paid but rather dull corporate job. Back then I couldn't have imagined how much I would love going to work each day.
My primary school has had a real struggle recruiting teachers for a long time now and even struggles to get good supply teachers (it's a good school in outer London). That's why my head teacher is so enthusiastic for me to pursue my dream, he wants to 'grow his own' so to speak. He's seen me covering classes and really believes in me and believes I could be a real asset to the school as a teacher.
I'll find a way, I'm very determined when I want to be!

OP posts:

PersianCatLady · 19/07/2017 17:40

I already cover classes and have done several full days on my own in class. I have good subject knowledge and can manage a class. I do realise this isn't the same as being a fully qualified full time teacher!
You sound like a great TA but you can't expect to become a teacher without meeting the requirements that everyone else has to meet.

PersianCatLady · 19/07/2017 17:46

The RTP programme used to be run by the Training and Development Agency for Schools.

However that doesn't seem to exist any more so I don't think the program is still in existence either.

There are so many new schemes to recruit teachers now but you need a degree.

There are plenty of people applying for the new scheme so I don't think that there is a need to recruit people without degrees to become teachers.

Sorry.

PersianCatLady · 19/07/2017 17:50

I am just about to finish my OU degree that I have been studying for six years.

As soon as I get my result, my first job is to apply for teacher training through the SCITT program.

I am sorry that you feel hard done by because of the system but I would be quite annoyed if I knew after six years of studying that other people were going into teacher training without degrees.

rollonthesummer · 19/07/2017 17:51

There are plenty of people applying for the new scheme so I don't think that there is a need to recruit people without degrees to become teachers.

Yes, this is a valid point.

The problem in teaching isn't getting people on the course, it's keeping them in the job!

JamAndBread · 19/07/2017 17:57

'I see first hand on a daily basis how hard it is, but I still want to do it anyway!'

With respect, you don't know how hard it is until you're in it. Seeing it is still incredibly different to actually living it.

But if it's really what you want to do then best of luck to you.

FinalPush · 19/07/2017 18:04

To be fair being a TA is really nothing like being a teacher and if it wasn't for the low pay I would happily go and be a TA as being with the kids and interacting with them and seeing them flourish is the best bit about teaching - it's all the other crap that you have to deal with that is the reason I have left the profession. If the idea of sacrificing time and effort to do a 3 year degree is putting you off than teaching really is not for you.
I also cringe at the idea that there should be way for 'people like you' to fast track your way through. It is keeping teachers in the profession that is the real problem with education, not recruiting them. If we start employing people without even getting a degree into the profession then heaven help us.

PersianCatLady · 19/07/2017 18:21

If the idea of sacrificing time and effort to do a 3 year degree is putting you off than teaching really is not for you
^This^

Rosie29 · 19/07/2017 21:11

I just wanted to say that I know it seems a long and frustrating road. I worked as a teacher abroad for many years and when I returned to the UK I had to start again. I worked as a TA to get school experience and have just complete my PGCE, two years later. I already had a degree though. I found it easiest to break the road into shorter paths and have a long term plan. Good luck.

ConfessorKahlan · 19/07/2017 21:29

OP I am 43 and an NQT. I followed a very similar route to the one you are considering by the sounds of it. I worked full time as as TA for a few years before doing my Foundation degree part time. It was very demanding especially with my own children to consider. That part took 3 years to complete.

I then topped up to an BA Honours which took another 18 months. I could have done this with QTS included, but for personal reasons I decided to do my QTS full time for 1 year after I topped up my degree.

I am now qualified and have been spending the week with my very own class for transition. If you are realistic about the time and effort you will need to put in to get your degree and QTS then go for it.

So it has taken me roughly 6 years to qualify, but this showed my determination and resilience, which helped me to get on the teacher training course and to get a job at the end of it. The long hours, exhaustion and need to be organised will also train me nicely for teaching! It has been extremely hard work, but now that I am qualified it was worth it. I can't wait to start in September.

If it is really something that you want, then you need to put in all the time and effort required to get there. There should beno unqualified teachers in my opinion. I hope you find a suitable degree course.

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