Retraining to be a teacher

[mouche202]

Apologies for posting here as I am not a teacher but I thought it would be the best source of information.

I have spent my entire career working in the IT industry. I am not an engineer but I work with them and have a good understanding of the development life cycle, can read code, and studied some modules of computer science in the dim and distant past.

I am thinking of leaving the corporate world in the next 5 years and was thinking of retraining to be a computer science teacher. I have an MA in English Literature from a non-UK University so I gather I will need to do a PGCE preceded by a SKE in Computing.

I have access to a wealth of free training through work and I was wondering if I could use my free time in the next 5 years to study what the SKE would cover and thereby skip it and go straight to the PGCE in 4-5 years time.

I can't seem to find a good breakdown of what the SKE covers though. I was hoping some of you could help me identify what I need to learn or even find an SKE type course I can do without actually applying for a PGCE. Any help much appreciated!

I have no idea what an SKE is! Computer Science teachers are rarer than hen's teeth so I would have thought you would be able to get onto a PGCE with your practical IT experience. If I were you I'd contact PGCE providers directly, tell them your experience, and ask them if you meet their entry requirements.

SKE = subject knowledge enhancement courses.

OP - look at the specific exam requirements on the AQA and Edexcel websites foe both GCSE and A Level. You will find the exam specs, past papers, mark schemes and examiners reports. This is a good starting point. I second phoning a PGCE provider and asking them what they will/won't accept.

How come you're moving from working in industry to working in a school? I have a similar background myself; what I've learnt is that your skills won't be appreciated in schools and you have to jump through too much red tape.

Thank you, that's a good idea to ask the providers what they expect. I guess it's also partly for me to have the confidence to teach what I will need to. My son is in Yr 7 and I could easily teach what he's learning but I feel I will be out of my depth with more advance students. Great idea to check the exam requirements and work from those.

As to why. Well, I will be 50 in 5 years and will have spent 30 years doing essentially the same job. In 5 years I will have fewer financial responsibilities and can move into a pre-retirement phase. So I can try different things and see what works for me. I would like to do something that makes a difference. I see how my kid's school struggles for staff and would like to do something to help.

Another question: is there any way to get volunteer experience as a teacher before qualifying? I am quite shy and would like to see what it feels like being in a classroom.

Yes, schools can take you on as a volunteer. You will need a DBS as a minimum. Just phone round your local schools and explain what you’re looking for - I volunteered one day a week for a year prior to doing my PGCE which was really useful.

@mouche202 Have you considered private tuition? You can use this experience to direct your main career into corporate training. Private tuition and corporate training give you all the benefits of a teaching career without the BS and red tape of working in a school. You also get paid significantly more.

This article is worth a read:

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/jun/08/teachers-england-schools-figures-department-education-survey

@mouche202 we are sorely in need of career-changers like you and I hope you'll find teaching incredibly rewarding. I strongly recommend contacting Now Teach while they still exist as they have a lot of expertise in supporting career-changers.

I would absolutely not move to teaching to finish off your later working years. It is no longer a career, you won't be as valued and your skills questioned at every opportunity.

There is a reason that teachers are leaving in droves.

I'm not going to be one of those people trying to warn you off. Heaven knows we need the staff in schools and not every school will devalue your prior experience.

But I second getting first-hand experience of what working in schools is like before embarking on your career change.

How much public speaking experience do you have? You say that you can be quite shy, so while you're asking around for volunteer work seek out public speaking opportunities at work. It's easier in front of halfway engaged adults than a bunch of teenagers.

Volunteer experiences in schools are much harder to come by post-covid, partially because they are an extra time drain on existing teachers. Do you currently do anything that makes you think you'd enjoy working with teenagers? Scouts/ youth clubs/ coaching?