Should I pay to do teacher training?

[Basketofkittens]

I’ve been offered a place on a SCITT schools based course for primary which includes a PGCE. Only thing is, I’ll have to pay for it doing a student loan and it seems a bit mad to pay to be a teacher! They wouldn’t offer me a salaried place as I need three years of TA experience.

I have one year of volunteering in a school (one day per week) and I’ve been working part-time as a TA since September which I am enjoying.

I’m waiting to hear back from two other salaried schemes. If I don’t get a paid place for 2020 I’m thinking that I’ll continue to do TA work until I can get a paid place, I’m aware that it’s really competitive!

I don’t see why it’s mad to pay to be a teacher. You have to pay for all postgrad courses now. I do think it’s unfortunate that this sort of training is no longer government funded, though. Are you entitled to a bursary?

Primary trainees aren’t entitled to a bursary like secondary trainees are.

I could get a tuition fee loan and around £5000 for a maintenance loan.

Would it be better to do a university based PGCE and at least get something for my money rather than just QTS and paying to be in a classroom teaching 40+ plus hours a week?

With one in three teachers leaving after five years I’m wondering is there any point of getting 15k in student debt plus interest really.

But you’ll lose more money in the long run if you want to continue as a TA for who knows how long waiting for a paid training place which you might never get. You’re better off just doing the PGCE and then paying off your student loan, which is just a small chunk out of your pay every month - it’s not like you pay up front. You say it’s ‘mad’ but that’s how most teachers get their jobs

Primary trainees aren’t entitled to a bursary like secondary trainees are.

I did - has this changed recently? If you had a first or 2:1 degree you got £5000.

I do think it’s mad in a way, as the training you would receive in the salaried scheme is identical, you don’t get any more for your money. And we’re so short for teachers that you’d think for someone with your experience (and a pretty sure bet that you’ll stay!) so you’d hope they’d offer you a salaried place.

Hold out! I hope you have more luck with your other applications.

You said the SCITT includes a PGCE. Unlike the salaried route you wont be in a classroom teaching 40 hours, there isn't even 40 hours of teaching in a week. In both the SCITT and the PGCE you will build up the teaching gradually and have plenty of time learning the theory, completing assessments too.
You do end up doing a bit more teaching with a SCITT, but that makes it less of a jump for your NQT year.

I did the PGCE in 2011 - then had my two younger sons and returned as a TA. After seeing teachers in school over the past few years completing the SCITT, I would definitely recommend that option. You are much more prepared for life in the classroom!

Thank you for the comments!

To give some background, I’m a former military officer but more recently I’ve been a SAHM. I’m looking for a career now, I’ve also applied to some Civil Service schemes, they offer (paid) qualifications like APMP if I wanted to go down the project management route.

The teachers at my school are supportive of me doing teacher training and I like being in the classroom and with children. But then on Mumsnet / other forums all I read is how awful teaching is.

With teacher training, there are so many options. QTS only apprenticeship schemes, salaried / non salaried SCITTs with a PGCE or the university route.

Just a lot to think about!

Did teacher training used to be free like nursing and other healthcare professions? I realise that student loans are more of a student tax only repaid when you are earning more than £26k now and they then get written off after 30 years but perhaps it’s just the psychological thought of having that debt!

I did a schools direct type route (GTP) and was paid to train. Much better.

Would your school take you on as a QTS apprenticeship?

Yes, teaching is stressful. But the right school can be the difference!

I did salaried SCITT (school direct) last year. I wouldn’t do it unsalaried. The expectations are higher for salaried though - I had full responsibility for my class from day 1. But so many of the people doing SD and PGCEs at my university didn’t find jobs for this year I don’t think I’d risk it.

I’m not 100% sure what the job situation is for primary school teachers. One of the SCITTs boasts of 100% employment for NQTs. There seem to be quite a few teaching jobs where I am (southwest). My school advertised for two posts last term and only got a handful of applicants. Apparently some posts have no applicants.

I’m not 100% sure what the job situation is for primary school teachers

What research have you done into this move?

There is a large recruitment and retention crisis and a great many people leave in the first 3 years. NQTs are highly sought after because they are cheap, but it’s then very hard to rise up the pay scale and progress with your career as school budgets are so reduced and opportunities are limited.

You seem surprised that you have to pay to be a teacher. Yes, it used to be free-like any university course. I didn’t pay for my subject degree or my PGCE but that was in the 90s. Things are quite different now.

I’m aware of the recruitment and retention crisis but then there are also posts like zgaze’s which state some people from her course didn’t get jobs. I’ve also read that depending on where you are in the country, there aren’t enough jobs for primary teachers.

Which county are you?

Teacher here with 15 years on the job. Do I love my job? Yes in the main it’s the most diverse fulfilling and interesting job. Would I train as a teacher now if I wasn’t already in the field? No..I’m perhaps “lucky” enough to have reached the top of the pay scale in years where this wasn’t the minefield it was now. I’m in a supportive school where I imagine I’ll stay for many more years.

The job now is so tricky for NQT’s; PP have made reference to the budget issues/difficulties climbing pay scales/climate etc. If you have a chance at the civil service I’d look into that seriously as well. I don’t think I’d be getting 15k into debt to enter the current teaching profession. Good luck whatever you choose

Reading your posts my first thought is that you don't actually sound 100% sure teaching is the right route for you. Given the costs of all post grad courses now it would be a risk if you aren't sure but... let's assume that you are just having a wobble and doing a last check of all options before final commitment...

What's your learning style? The routes into teaching are very different. Which would you get the most out of?

Might help if you appraised yourself as a TA - what do you find the hardest part and which course addresses that best.

If that all points you to a non- salaried role then can you afford the year off.

Is your school part of a training consortium? If so have you had the chance to chat with them?

For me if it's good odds that your school would support a salaried place then I'd try and tie them into that.

Letseatgrandma - I’m in the Southwest.

NWQM - I’m not 100% sure. I’m also thinking that QTS on its own wouldn’t be very helpful on its own - whereas a PGCE is a post grad qualification so I could use it outside of classroom teaching perhaps? If we moved abroad I could teach with a PGCE in some countries.

My current school is linked to a university PGCE rather than a SCITT. I’m not sure I want to go down the university route because I don’t particularly enjoy all the seminars and making poster presentations and the social side. I did my Master’s via distance learning which I much preferred.

Financially my DH has a moderately well paid job (military) a small mortgage and some income from a rental property. We have parental support for childcare.

If you haven't already it's worth signing up to the get into teaching and chat with an adviser.

You seem unsure what the routes involve and don't seem totally sure if teaching is for you.

A SCITT isn't the same as being a salaried trainee and even salaried trainees aren't on full teaching timetables.

A SCITT is done still with placements and it's phased in with mentors etc.

If you're judging going into teaching based on whether a route is salaried and can get progression then that might be the wrong approach going into a challenging career.

I love teaching and don't regret changing careers, but I think you've got a bit more reflecting and research to do before deciding

I’ve been offered a place on a salaried SCITT! Slightly terrifying!

Congratulations, Basket!

That's brilliant. Well done.

To help you prepare and get broader experience, could you use your volunteer days to visit a range of schools in different contexts before you start? It's something that can often help trainees.

Thank you, I’ve booked I’m a couple of “taster days” at other schools.