Any English secondary school teachers around?

[BareWithMe500]

Hi everyone,

I have been working as a TA and I don't enjoy it. My passion is teaching and creating lesson plans. I know it's a tough job but I really want to do it.

I would love to teach English. I have a grade C in A level English Lit.

I cannot afford to do a degree. Will a SKE be enough? I can fund this myself. I'm nervous to approach the head.

Any advice gratefully appreciated.

Do you have a degree in a different subject? If you did, depending on the subject SKE may be enough.

Without a degree, you won't be able to train to teach and a SKE would not be enough.

You may be entitled to student loans etc to do a degree if you absolutely want to go into teaching.

What is it about being a TA that you don't like? Is it things that are specific to being a TA or things that may also apply to being a teacher?

The other alternative is to take my English Lit A level again...and get a higher grade.

I could be wrong, but I don’t think a higher A-level grade would make a difference.

Sorry, I posted too soon. I don't think it would make a difference as I believe you need to have a degree to do SKE.

Thank you @PumpkinPie2016 and @StolenChanel

I have a degree in Childhood and Youth studies (1:1)....in hindsight I really wished I had chosen English Literature instead then I wouldn't be in this predicament!

I feel frustrated as a TA because it's a backseat job.I do love teaching. I was training to be a primary school teacher when I was 18 (B Ed in Education) but then I had an arranged marriage and I had to leave it. It still hurts. I've always wanted to teach, I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a teacher.

Working as a TA meant I could work in a school environment which I love but now I want more...a part of me thinks it's unachievable and the other part of me yearns for it...

Do you currently teach as part of your role? If so you might be eligible for the assessment only route.

@MrsHamlet thank you for our message. I teach small intervention groups of 3 or 4 students.

Thank you I will look into it.

I was thinking of becoming a HLTA just so I could teach but being a HLTA also means managing the TA team and they are a disgruntled bunch!

I only want to teach!

The problem with English is there are always a lot of English teachers so it can be competitive but there are always plenty of vacancies too.

A c grade will not stop you getting an English job. Maybe at a snooty top grammar or private schools. So go for it if you really want it. You can do and SKE alongside.

Teaching is a lot more than purely subject knowledge.

@liquidsquidli thank you so much.

During my interview at my current school, the HT did ask me if I would consider going back into teaching.

I will see if I can meet up with him this week and enquire that if I do a self funded SKE could I start ITT for the next academic year.

There aren't as many English teachers as there used to be - the recruitment and retention crisis is so bad that English is becoming a shortage subject, which I never thought I would see.

Assessment only QTS would have been my recommendation too but you would need to have worked in two schools to be eligible and it doesn't sound like you have? Given that you have a double first in your BEd my suggestion is SKE followed by salaried School Direct, if you can find a placement (look for a School Direct place now as they may be willing to make you an offer with SKE as a condition). You'd be paid as an unqualified teacher while you train which would be a bump up from a TA salary. Talk to your HT - it sounds like they might be open to creative ways to keep you.

Good luck

@ThanksItHasPockets thank you. I'm meeting with the HT this week. I'm nervous about making the leap from TA to teacher but it's now or never.

Thank you to all of you for your support and guidance. I really appreciate it.

With your qualifications you could probably do an apprenticeship so you would be salaried and study alongside.
ask your school about it.
There is a definite shortage of English teachers nowadays so I wouldn’t worry about future employment.