Home Economics

[Stardustmemories]

Hi,

I am looking at doing my PGDE in home economics in a few years and I was wondering if anyone here was currently a home economics teacher and could give any insight into what it’s like?
Pros/cons?
Things people might not realise or know about the subject

I’m also in Scotland if that makes a difference to things, I presume it will

Our home ec teacher has just left and there are no plans to replace her (in England)

Can't remember the last time I saw a post advertised

Are you set on the subject?

Pros - you'll walk into a job in fact you'll be deciding which school you want to work in. Huge demand for Home Ec teachers.

You will be dealing with very rewarding pupils as practical subjects that offer vocational pathways are really appealing to kids who don't always thrive in an academic environment.

Cons- lack of professional progression as promoted post as slashed as pay has been slashed in real terms.

Inclusion agenda (whilst well intentioned is woefully underfunded) and you will have young people with complex support needs is an environment full of potential hazards and see above they will choose HE. There will be little support for them or you.

I am not a HE teacher but a (Scottish) English teacher and for the most I love my job.

Check out myjobscotland to see vacancies. Despite being a small department in most schools there are always jobs. The lovely central belt school where I teach had a post unfilled for over a year.

I'm England but home economics is now largely part of the technology faculties and tends to be food technology or textiles.

I can only think of 1 job ive seen advertised in my county in the last few years. They don't come up much (most schools will have 1 possibly 2 home ec teachers who will teach food and textiles. Often textiles will be taught by a member of the art department too if needed).

OP Scotland is very different to England in respect of how Home Economics is treated. It is a vital part of ensuring that the "entitlements" of CfE ( literacy, numeracy and health & wellbeing) are met in the Broad General Education. It is a thriving subject in the Senior Phase and often pupil uptake is restricted by lack of teachers.

As a subject it will be a small department if 1 or 2 and usually part of a Creative Industries or Arts, Health and Wellbeing Faculties.

Along with Computing Studies it is one of the hardest to fill vacancies at present.

Sorry I’ve taken so long to get back to this 🙈
I am pretty set in it. There is always loads of vacancies when I’m looking at other jobs. It’s also down as one of the priority subjects in Scotland. I don’t think there would be too much concern in not being able to get a job
Thank you