Retraining to teach English (11-18): brutal honesty, please!

[GerronBuzanDoThaWomwok]

What do I need to know that I may not have considered? In terms of work/life compromise, admin and expectations of HOD/SLT/parents?
I worked in classrooms for 2 years and have never experienced any other profession with the same daily intensity, drama, joy and wonder...
I am 55 and about to apply as I have never given up on my dream, despite years of setbacks-sock it me, please 🙂

to me 😂...

If you had two decades in classrooms you probably have a reasonable idea of what to expect. I think the negatives that might be unique to secondary English are: the marking load (somewhat dependent on school policy, but generally heavier than other subjects, especially around mock exams); the difficulty of accurately predicting grades; the amount of pressure due to progress 8; the fact that no one chooses the subject - they’re there whether they want to be or not.

The positives are endless though: we tend to see pupils more frequently than other teachers so can get to know them well; the opportunity to speak about such a wide range of issues through the texts we study; etc, etc.

Sorry. No idea how I mixed up ‘years’ and ‘decades’ 😅

Have you been two years in secondary classrooms?

Thank you ! 😂
Yes, I worked as a secondary school cover supervisor for 2 years and was allowed to teach some classes (I have a Masters in English Language and Literature plus MSC ) after working as a social worker for 15 years. I left to apply for ITT but had to delay for several years due to family illness, currently work in prison education.

I think if you’ve done social work, prison education and cover supervising, you probably have a pretty realistic idea of what to expect.

Go for it!

Yes, would echo the above. It seems you would have realistic expectations and would be very well-qualified due to your professional background. Overall, I have found it a great pleasure to teach English for the last 20 years!! Yes, there are ups and downs and some stressful points but for me, the positives have definitely outweighed the negatives.
choose your school carefully and best of luck!

“the fact that no one chooses the subject - they’re there whether they want to be or not.”

That’s not a reason. Most students appreciate the value placed on English, as a core subject, and one that is desirable - aka compulsory - for university entrance.

As others have said you are probably a lot more well equipped than many people going into the profession!

I think the one thing I would say is that post covid a lot of schools are not in the best place in terms of behaviour or staffing - things like internal truancy can be really common. It is common for departments to be short staffed.

This could mean that you don't get the support you need when training, and as an ECT. When training, I'd seriously consider looking at schools direct options, as then you have some control over the school you will be in for the majority of the year. Many schools direct options still give you the chance to do the pgce if that is what you want. Other routes obviously have their pros and cons, but I, personally, wouldn't want to deal with the lottery of pgce placements right now!

As an ECT I'd say pick your school carefully - you don't just need to take the first job you are offered. Look for a school that is really committed to supporting you through the program, and understands the demands it will put on your mentor etc as well. I would want a school that could offer me an experienced mentor, and probably a max of 2-3 ECTs in a big department, including second year ECTs.

I know it can be hard to judge these things from the outside, but I think that would probably give you the best experience of training and in your early career!

Have you considered FE op? I’m in my first year of teaching following my PGDET with English Spec last year. For the prev 2 years I was an LSA at my college then had my placement here last year. FE needs good English teachers. It’s a different pace to a secondary school (I believe) and tends to have smaller classes. I taught GCSE and Functional Skills last year. This year I am teaching FS English to youngsters (14-18) and apprentices and I absolutely love it. I’m 52 and I absolutely love it. Pay is less but it’s a fabulous sector. No years of ECT. One year training (uni/1 placement) then you’re qualified and ready to go. Option to go on with QTLS. English spec attracted a £12000 bursary which was a nice bonus 😉

You sound like you are in a great position to start training with some fantastic experience! I found the workload very demanding (and at times overwhelming) for the first ~3 years but after that it was much more manageable. It all depends on the school, marking policies and how good the department are at sharing resources. Good luck!