Training in primary or secondary

[Paddypartypower]

So the back story is I’ve been a TA for years in various settings including mainstream, SEN, at primary and secondary. I’ve been around the block a bit. My degree is in health and social care and I do love that subject. I just can’t decide whether or not to do a Scitt in primary or secondary. I actually really like them both 🤦‍♀️. I’m 35 soon and I need to make my mind up. There are local SCITT places offering health and social care for secondary.

Any words of wisdom?

Both jobs are hard, but others will fill you in on that.

If you are dead set on training, I would say to take into account career opportunities/progression. There are far more opportunities for promotion in secondary. Fewer tlrs and leadership roles in primary and often there are internal candidates for the ones that come up.

Thanks for your input.

Health and social care is unlikely to fill your timetable - it's usually only taught in KS4/5. If you get a job in a big sixth form/FE college there might be multiple groups, but in many schools you might be the only HSC teacher (so little support) and making up your timetable with something else. I'd be wary of a SCITT place if they don't also include some training in another subject.

Check out the vacancies - although some are full-time, some are part-time and some are combined with another subject. https://teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/health-relationships-social-care-teacher-jobs

I agree with what's been said- Most full time HSC jobs are in FE, where pay and conditions are not as good as schools. If you'd be happy teaching HSC + e.g. KS3 science, then that's great, but I'd also look for a SCITT that would give you the chance to train that way.

It's also worth bearing in mind that BTECs may be on the way out and T levels may be replacing them, which are much harder for schools to run.

Do you have A-levels, and if so what are they? This might help you pick a "second subject".