Considering a PGCE in Secondary English

[BlackInk]

Hello

I'm 46 and currently working as a freelance editor and writer since being made redundant from a job in publishing a year or so ago. My degree was in English and Medieval studies.

I'm considering looking into retraining as a secondary school English teacher and just wondered whether anyone might have any tips or advice, particularly regarding where to start and funding.

There are some universities near me that offer PGCE courses and I've also read something about training on the job.

Money is tight here with two DC to support and a partner in a not particularly well paid job in a vulnerable industry (pub related). We would need me to be generating some sort of income whilst I train.

Has anyone else done this later in life? Am I mad??

Thank you, BI

It can be a brilliant job and a stressful job.

As a career changer you need to quickly get used to the fact that schools can be funny organisations and behave in ways that wouldn't make sense in other sectors, at least in my experience

The students are the best part of the job, alongside sharing your subject. Marking is high in English but that's just different subjects. The most draining parts of the job I've found is dealing with colleagues who brown nose or belittle, and the seemingly never ending trail of paperwork and data that is almost zero use (but is done to sit in a file somewhere so someone senior can say they did something).

Hello! I'm 40, 3 kids and doing this now, career change from publishing too. Pm me if you like! I'm doing the SCITT with PGCE, so in school 4 days a week. I'm unsalaried, but many institutions offer bursaries which cover training costs. I also tutor part time.

I spent a year volunteering for an educational charity one morning a week, tutoring kids who were needing urgent intervention, just to get a feel for the curriculum and syllabus, marking scheme etc. I loved it. It was what cemented my decision to train.

It's absolutely a vocation though...it's hard, hard work...you have to love it. I love being in the class and the kids are hilarious at times...I love seeing them pick up new ideas and seeing them improve. But the lesson planning, coursework, evidencing, essays is draining. Behaviour management is also a new challenge. It's very different to 9-5 desk job...there's nowhere to hide! I'm in school for 7.45 and leave at 4 so I can see my kids, then work from 7-10 planning.

Luckily I'm in a small, supportive school with an excellent headteacher and a progressive outlook. They are very aware of the impact of workload on mental health and the importance of a work/life balance so are cutting down on marking etc.

It's the right decision for me as eventually I aim to work part time, which will still be a full time workload I'm sure.

bringon how are you finding it with three kids? Do you have extra family support to watch over your kids’ homework, activities meals etc?
I really want to go ahead with teacher training ( I've worked in schools so completely have eyes wide open on reality of it) but I’m so worried I won’t be able to be as present for my kids abs I have been.
However, as you, it’s a means to an end I’m hoping a few years pain to eventually earn a decently salary and maybe if possible go part time

It's tough- we have no family support nearby, but we live close to the school and my husband works from home now (one positive from Covid- ft training for me is actually achievable). We use after school club and supper club once a week, but I do make sure I leave promptly if there are no meetings. Luckily the majority of the dept are parents of school age kids too, and there's no question we make up the time at home.

It would be trickier if additionally I were in uni twice a week (hr commute) but this is now Zoom calls so I'm around for school pick ups and homework that day.

It's full on, rare I get any time but it's also challenging, exciting, rewarding and (after being p/t or SAHM for almost 11 years) a new chapter. I just got excellent feedback on an essay so am on a high. By Friday I'll be a bit more jaded

Wow. You are describing me! It’s very encouraging and just what I needed to hear actually. I feel like I want to push myself, at 41 its now or never!
Feel very sorry for my little one who’d probably have to be in after care until late every day, that’s the biggest draw back . And dh also working from home but would have to be fully on board after years of me being so available.
Well done on your essay. It will all be worth it once you have qualified, life’s too short to just plod along!

I teach on a secondary English PGCE and I love it. The trainees are so enthusiastic and we do get all ages (had someone in their mid 50s last year).

It is tough - you have to take masters modules (credits towards a masters degree) now in order to make it a level 7 qualification. It's been a different year this year and all online so easier and more difficult in equal measures!

I would say go for it if you like kids and English (sounds obvious doesn't it - it's not always!) But that it's not something you can do if you're half-hearted. In addition - I believe they have got rid of the bursary next year, you may want to check this...

@solittletime thank you! Please pm me if you have any questions..I can give you advice on interview/lesson ideas etc. if you like.

Like you, I wanted a new challenge and wanted to contribute my skills in a worthwhile way...there are ways into teaching for professionals who are changing career. If you are near London look up now teach. They support training 4 days a week for parents.

There are many opportunities out there. I am inspired by the school I'm at. All I heard was negativity about how horrific teaching was, and I thought, well new mindsets can only help. Balancing home life with teaching is a challenge but one this school rises to meet, and it invests in its staff with great professional training.

A lot of it is down to your attitude. If you don't like the school you're at, then leave. Find one you do. There is ALWAYS demand for supply teachers for income. I'd never work in a school that had unrealistic demands and didn't prioritise mental health for teachers.

Seriously, one life...go for it!

There was a bursary!!nooo! Can’t believe that’s gone. I am in London and can not afford to so it’s unsalaried. Really need to find an on the job training! I’ll look in to now teach

I got a bursary- not sure if that's changing

There's no bursary for English for 20-21, but that might change for 21-22, the bursaries for the next training year haven't be announced yet.

Even without the bursary, you can get a maintenance loan whilst you train. You could also look at the salaried schools direct route, but this tends to be very competitive.

It's worth bearing in mind that salaried routes tend to expect you to "hit the ground running" more than other training routes. You're also often expected to take on a higher teaching load during training.

NowTeach isn't salaried, but if it is part time, you might be able to earn some money whilst training.

I retrained from another industry and gained my PGCE aged 53 😀After a couple of years on supply (because I didn’t want a full time teaching job) would up foing supply at a fab school which gave me a permanent job and did my NQT year aged 56😀😀😀
I received a bursary for my subject (not English) have since taught English as well as my own subject and love teaching both. Teaching is the best job if you find a great school - I saw lots on supply that weren’t....