PGCE/teacher training with a baby

[GiraffeLaSophie]

Has anybody done it?

I didn’t want DD to have to go to nursery full time just yet (I am returning to my LSA role part time in a few weeks), but they have brought back the bursary for my subject so I’m not sure whether to just go for it or not.

DD would be 16 months old when I started, if I did start. I would put off starting a teaching role until she was a bit older, but at least I’d have the training under my belt. My partner is a teacher though, and already works most evenings, plus he has two older children who live with us half the time. I’m just not sure whether we could manage it.

Sorry, I think this is a crazy idea. My DS was 10 when I trained so he understood I was working in the evenings, and DH picked up the majority of the housework. I can't imagine training with a toddler.

Thank you for your reply. Yes, this is my worry. Could I ask what subject/age group you teach?

I had an application ready to go early 2020 but didn’t send it in the end because of covid. Then they took the bursary for my subject (English) away, and we would really struggle to manage just relying on SF. I just don’t want them to remove the bursary and for me to miss out again!

A full time Pgce would be horrendous with a young family to manage around too. It's like working in the day (placements) and doing a degree in the evenings at the same time I found with the assignments on top, and I didn't have kids then. Mine was 4 days a week on placement (long commutes, too) and 1 day a week at uni.

And you might struggle to get a job if you have a big gap after training before starting a teaching job too as jobs all ask for recent CPD on applications.

Some PGCEs can be done part time though I believe, that might be more manageable?

I would definitely work in between finishing a pgce and starting teacher training, I was thinking of HLTA roles (which seem to be advertised a lot around here) or similar. But yes, perhaps a gap might put schools off. When I discussed applying for teacher training in my previous job (at a different school) my line manager mentioned the fact that there would be no need to apply for jobs right away, but things might have changed since then!

There is one part time option locally too, that’s definitely something to consider.

I really don't think this is doable. It would be hard enough with a DP who is a teacher + two stepchildren living with you 50% of the time. Adding a toddler into the mix would be, IMHO, unworkable. You can't explain to a toddler why you suddenly have so much work to do in the evenings and weekends.

Ah well, maybe it’s a ‘no’ for another few years then.

I did it. It is possible.......I looked at it with a kind of 'get all of the tough things out of the way in one go'. No denying it was a tough......but great year.

When I found things tough I put most focus on the placements and teaching aspects rather than the assignments. Good classroom practice was the most important part for me, above the assignments.

Partner was already a teacher which I think helped in the reality of what it was going to be like.

I do believe though that the gap at end might not look good for future applications......it could potentially be like starting your training over again.

I teach secondary Science.
I wonder if a schools direct route may be better for you? Fewer assignments (no masters element like the PGCE) and a more predictable workplace for the year.

I did SD when DD was 2.5. The previous year I worked as a TA to gain experience so she was 18mo when I started that and she went to the school nursery. My DH isn't a teacher so could be a bit more flexible, plus my mum helped out a couple of days a week.

Tough but doable with support.

If there's a part-time option, I think that's definitely worth considering. If you're getting a bursary, are you a shortage subject? If so, a part-time position once qualified may not be too difficult to get. I didn't know part-time PGCEs were even possible, but if they do exist in your area, I'd be tempted to grab the opportunity incase it disappears!

I know people who have done it, and I think unis will try to cut you some slack, like placements within a reasonable commute etc.

I think it is also easier if you are not going to be applying for jobs whilst you train because for me the biggest crunch of the PGCE was when I was on full time placement, spending a weekend day planning and doing uni stuff, and the other weekend day writing job applications and prepping for interviews.

If you talk to the uni, there will be support available for parents.

But it is a really, really tough year. What does your husband think and how much is he willing/able to support you?

I had a quick look yesterday and it seems that one of the local(ish) PGCEs is 1.5 days in school and then 1 day in training for the first year, then 2.5 days in school and 1 day in training for the second year. So I imagine DD would be with the childminder 3 or 4 days a week.

Yes, perhaps it would be better to look for a part time teaching job afterwards. I’m not sure how keen schools are for ECTs to be part time but I’m sure it must be possible.

DP wants me to do it. Mainly because he knows I want to do it (at some point) and he thinks I’d be a good teacher, which is very sweet of him. I am worried he’s not really thinking about the practicalities of it though.

Thank you all for your thoughts!

Most of the options local to me are school based, some of them offer a PGCE and some are QTS only. I had wanted the PGCE but you’re right, it’s probably not really necessary.

I don’t think you can teach in Scotland without it, but that’s probably not something I need to worry about 😂

Problem with part time ECT is it takes forever! I've known schools take on part time ECTs, so it is possible, but the problem is you have to have support potentially for up to 4 years, and it may reduce the capacity of the school to take on other ECTs.

But it's not impossible!

We’ve taken in part-time ECTs in shortage subjects, as a part-time teacher us better than no teacher! That probably does my colleagues a disservice, they’re really good and we would have jumped at the chance to employ them, even if there were more science teachers floating around. But, given that we don’t get many candidates for each post, we aren’t in a position to discount a part-time requests, we have to consider them to get the best teachers. We knew this ECT as she trained with us, but we’ve also appointed others on part-time contracts, when the job was only advertised as full-time. What I’m trying to say is that even if part-time positions don’t at first appear that plentiful, this is very often negotiated in the interview process.

I did a PGCE full time when my son was 5. I didn't drop him off or collect him from school for that whole year 😞 it's such a crazy year x

Definitely not impossible!

I did my NQT year in a part-time teaching role so it is (or was then, at least) doable but it did take longer than the year it would have taken if I was full time.

(To complicate matters further, I did my NQT year across 2 different school settings and 2 different year groups, and one of those I was on a long term supply contract. Not the most conventional but still the same end goal achieved).

Going against the grain here, but if you’re sure you want to teach and if your partner is supportive, I’d say go for it. Yes, it’ll be tough, but not impossible. I was a HOD and doing a masters when DC1 was a baby/toddler. It’s doable.

You’d really, really need DP on board though. Best to talk now to check you both agree what that support looks like.

I did my training when my DDs were 4 and 5. It was hard work but doable. The university based elements were only 3 days a week so I had another two days when they were in school to do assignments. Teaching placements were the hardest part though! I would go for it and see if you can do supply or get a part time position when you qualify.

ECT is different to NQT though, not least because it takes 2 years full time. I'm not suggesting it's impossible but I do think it's a struggle part time because:

1. It can feel like the end is ages away, which can be demoralising. 4 years is a lot longer than 2 to be fully qualified.

2. Some MATs won't allow people to progress beyond M2 until they've passed ECT, which means you're stuck on (relatively) low pay all that time.

3. You need a mentor willing to stick with you for those 4 years- if the school has unstable staffing then losing your mentor as an ECT has a lot more impact than as an NQT.

4. Depending on subject, it's not always a popular option for the school, as they have to give you additional support for so long. Being an ECT mentor is not like being an NQT mentor, it requires a significant time investment from the mentor, too. As a PP has said, often schools will go for it because they don't have lots of other options, but if you teach a less shortage subject, it can become an issue.

If it were me (easy to say) I'd want to blast through the ECT as quickly as possible and then go part time. In some ways, I think being part time when children are school age is nicer, because then you can sometimes do pick up/drop off, do play dates etc, do school events.

@Postapocalypticcowgirl I was just reinforcing the message that it IS possible to do part time (and yes I'm aware ECT is different to NQT).

I would also consider that changing mentor part way through is not necessarily a bad thing as you paint it to be. Broader range of experience to draw on, if there was a personality clash or you didn't get on for whatever reason, for some examples.

ECT will be a struggle anyway with a baby, regardless of whether it is full or part time. And depending on how part time you go, it could take longer than (or be quicker) than 4 years as a full time equivalent.

There are pros and cons to both.

@wineandsunshine have you seen more of your son since qualifying? I am so keen on a career change into teaching, the only - but very major - barrier is the lack of time with my own children during the PGCE year but also the ECT years too.

@Lollylamb my son is now 17 so he's at college - I do see him a little but he's a typical teenager!

I also have two younger sons who actually attend the school I teach in full time. They are not in my year groups but it's great that I see them every day at work!

My husband took a year off when I did School Direct training. He did everything at home and with the children, who were primary age. I did nothing but training. Did the NQT full time, it was horrible. Then went part time, which was better.