Wanting to be a primary teacher

[Consideringteaching]

I've felt for a long time that this is something I would really love to do and would be good at, but carried on in my current job rather than disrupt my life for a career I don't hear much that's positive about (long hours and stress etc).

I'm definitely a bit daunted about all the negatives and whether it would ultimately be too much, particularly as I've suffered with chronic fatigue, anxiety and a mix of a few other things in the past. But I'm better now than I have been for a long time and I just want to be in the classroom, especially after the past year, I feel more 'called' to it if that makes sense?

So I'm looking for advice. I did some volunteering in a primary school just after finishing my degree and loved it, but then got pregnant unexpectedly and felt teacher training was going to be too much on top of that. I've ended up working as a secondary school librarian, which is a job I've loved but a) career prospects aren't that great unless I want to become chartered librarian and I find it hard to muster much passion for that
and b) I still prefer the primary setting over secondary.

Questions are:
Will my current experience be enough to support an application?

• volunteering as a classroom assistant some years ago
• previously helping with and eventually running a Brownie unit
• personal experience of my son who has diagnoses of ASD and ADHD
• working as a secondary school librarian

I also have a good, fairly academic degree from a Russell Group uni - not that this would be a necessity but would it be viewed fairly positively?

What's the best route to go? I've been considering applying for a TA position but I'd rather go straight for the training if that's an option. I know there are a number of routes into teaching; doing a PGCE is very intense which concerns me a bit but maybe it's the most straightforward option?

Sorry this is long and rambling but I'd really appreciate some advice and felt the background might help.

TIA

I think you have a good background of qualifications experience and a solid reason for wanting to do it. So that's great.
You seem aware of the challenges and you're right - a pgce and then the nqt year are exceptionally hard work and take a huge amount of your time and energy.
Another option to consider is a SCITT - school based training. So you're working for a lower wage and training at the same time. I did a primary PGCE and have ever since worked as an SEN teacher but if I had my time again I think I would have done a school based training if I could. Others may disagree with me but I found the course content and lectures at uni next to pointless (I'm not academic though and have severe ADHD myself ) and got absolutely everything out of the practical placements. But I would recommend looking at other routes other than the obvious PGCE to see if there's anything you think that might suit you more.

On the issue of your health, although you say it is better now, I have very serious long term health issues which are a daily challenge for me. I wouldn't change my job for the world though, and in SEN it is very phsyically demanding as well. Mu doctors often comment that I have chosen quite the career for someone with what I have but .. I would never dream of doing anything else. So it is possible if it's what you want to do!

Good luck!

You've got your eyes open- you know it's not a walk in the park but still want to do it. I'd say go for it.

PGCE probably is the most straightforward thing to do. However, there might be a training school/ hub near you that you could talk to for advice about other local routes.

Don’t let people put doubt in your head. Not all schools eat you alive. I’ve been lucky and genuinely love my primary school teacher job. Good luck!

Thank you for the replies. It sounds as if I'd have a reasonable chance of getting a place on a course of some kind, with the experience I have currently? I think a PGCE would be too much for me, from what I've heard other people say. I can't see myself being a very good parent to my son during that time if I went down the PGCE route so I think I'll look at in-school training options.

If you have any other advice I'd be very grateful for it.

Thanks again!

Ermm, in school training is just as intensive! There is no easy way to qualify, whatever you do it will be difficult and time consuming!

Of course, but from what I can see locally they do offer a part-time option at least. I'm not expecting a walk in the park, obviously!