Teacher training routes

[Blackcoffeewithmilkplease]

Hoping someone can advise me please! I'm looking at applying for teacher training for next September and I'm not at all sure which route would be best.

(Before everyone starts, yes I am aware that teaching is in crisis and teachers are leaving in droves, but I am still sure that this is what I want to do so please don't try to persuade me otherwise!)

I was going to apply for Schools Direct but have just seen that they've reduced the bursary (I'd be teaching English) which would make it, not impossible, but that bit more difficult to manage financially and would involve taking on even more debt which I would rather avoid.

The other option is a salaried Schools Direct place, but information on these seem to be very limited. I know the salary is rubbish but I wouldn't have to take out more loans to cover tuition fees or maintenance loans, which makes it more attractive long term.

I'm currently working as a cover supervisor in a school so I have plenty of experience of delivering lessons in front of a class. The school offers unsalaried places, which hopefully I would have a good chance of getting, but not salaried.

So my questions are, does anyone here have any experience or advice on salaried Schools Direct training places? Are they very different/more stressful than unsalaried placements? How easy are they to get? Are you offered the same level of support as other trainees or are you just left to get on with it?

Also, would the benefits of staying at my current school, where I know the kids, the staff and the ethos, outweigh the financial disadvantages? Is it much more difficult in a brand new school as a trainee or does it not make that much difference once you've got started?

Thanks!

Sorry, that definitely had paragraphs when I wrote it!

It has paragraphs from where I am looking, on the app!

I have worked with salaried and unsalaried schools direct trainees and as far as I could tell the only difference was the salary. It was just considered really lucky if you'd managed to get a salaried place.

Re. staying at the same school... It can be great as you have a relationship with the kids and staff already (if you like them) but some people find it hard to redefine themselves as a "proper" teacher when they have been a cover supervisor or a TA before. But others make the transition easily.

I don't know where you are in the country but in some regions Teach First are running a programme called Time to Teach to support people career changing into teaching, could be worth a look.

Good luck to you! We need more great teachers.

Have you discussed this with your headteacher? They might not usually offer salaried places, but might consider it for staff retention reasons.

I’m sure there’s a quicker way for staff already in schools too. Hang on, I’ll see if I can find it.

Here: www.tes.com/institute/straight-to-teaching-qts

12 week course for those who already have two years experience in school.

There is a scheme called Straight to Teaching. You have to pay but your school might make a deal with you. Its specifically for TA's / HLTA's etc. in your position.

That looks awesome @MsJaneAusten !

I remember hearing about the "assessment only" route. It must be that. Could be great for the OP

Thanks everyone! The assessment only route looks great, but I don't think it would work for me - my role doesn't really allow any scope for planning or assessment, and I wouldn't feel confident jumping straight in on that anyway. I guess I'll talk to my headteacher and apply for both routes and see what happens!

Don't forget that on the salaried route, you would be taxed on your pay- £12k bursary + maintenance loan would probably give you more disposable income. I wouldn't worry about the loans- I have never missed my SFE payments going out!

AFIAK with salaried routes (and I didn't do one, so this is just based on experiences of people I know)- there is more competition for places, and schools often have someone they know in mind for the salaried place. There is a higher expectation of you, that you will be able to do more independently and be in front of a class sooner- but it sounds like you might be OK with this? You should get the same academic support as other trainees on the same program.

You can apply to up to 3 places at once, so you could apply to your own school, to the salaried route and one other, if you wanted? You'd then at least have the chance to visit the salaried school and get a feel for it!

You could also speak to your head and see if they could offer you a salaried place as you're a known quantity.