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Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Part time Pgce & qts

7 replies

Scentballsballs · 04/07/2025 18:10

I'm considering a later in life career change to become a secondary school MFL teacher. I can only commit to part time because of family circumstances. I can't find a university nearby that offers part time Pgce with qts so looks like I'd have to go down the SCITT path.
I'd like to hear from others who've done this, specifically:

  • how much say (if any) do you have into what schools you get placed in?
  • what's the workload honestly like for those juggling lots of other balls?
  • Is there any advantage in doing a uni Pgce vs school based Pgce or vice versa?
  • a nearby uni offers a part time Pgce but with no QTS - worth it?
Thank you 🙏
OP posts:
Stiffnewknee · 04/07/2025 21:12

I can’t answer those questions specifically but would not recommend teaching to anyone especially not as a career change. Have a look at the leaving teaching FB group where there are 175K members looking to escape! Behaviour is awful, parents and SLT horrendous and the workload is overwhelming. 50-60 hour weeks are the norm. If you are still determined to go ahead then do not do so without spending time in a school beforehand.

TeacherPrimaryabc · 04/07/2025 22:31

Don't become a teacher. I'm leaving this summer. Had to get out. It's horrendously stressful and destroys lives. Don't do it.

If you want to teach languages, perhaps look at teaching A level in a college or university. Do not enter Britain's state schools.

Scentballsballs · 05/07/2025 07:50

Thanks both for your honest answers. I spent some time in 2 local secondary schools a few years ago with a view to applying, but changed my mind due to lots of similar advice. It really is something I want to do though so will look into your suggestion of colleges/universities as opposed to secondary state schools.
But I assume to do that, I’d still need to start with a Pgce so any specifics on the questions above would be very much appreciated.

OP posts:
Meredusoleil · 05/07/2025 07:58

I am a secondary trained MFL teacher now working PT in a primary school. My understanding is that you don't need a PGCE to teach in further education ie 16-19. But I may be wrong. I sometimes think that's the route I should have taken tbh (teach A Level students only).

Scentballsballs · 05/07/2025 10:02

Meredusoleil · 05/07/2025 07:58

I am a secondary trained MFL teacher now working PT in a primary school. My understanding is that you don't need a PGCE to teach in further education ie 16-19. But I may be wrong. I sometimes think that's the route I should have taken tbh (teach A Level students only).

Thanks for your reply. What made you switch to primary? Yeah I’ve had a look and I could do a Diploma in Education and Training (DET) instead of a PGCE for FE teaching.

OP posts:
Fifthtimelucky · 05/07/2025 10:06

My daughter trained as a teacher 3 years ago though the SCITT route. Whilst the consortium of schools awarded QTS status, the PGCE was overseen and awarded by a University.

She had no say in the schools that she was placed in, but they did take practical issues (like accessibility) into account. They had to be contrasting schools. Hers were both comprehensives (no options in this area) but one was a high-performing Catholic school in a leafy area and the other was a more standard school.

I wouldn’t look at a PGCE without QTS. You can teach in maintained schools without a PGCE but you can’t teach without QTS (you can currently teach in an Academy without QTS but that is changing).

My daughter was straight out of university and had no other commitments, but she told me that one of the other trainees in her subject had two young children and still managed to do the training full time (although the provider did offer a part-time option). I assume she had a very supportive husband/partner!

More generally, please don’t be put off by people telling you not to do it! My daughter has now been teaching for three years. She loves her job and is very happy in her school. Behaviour at her school is not awful, the SLT are not horrendous - she finds them very efficient and supportive, and she doesn’t find the workload overwhelming.

No doubt she has been lucky with her school, but as an MFL teacher you should have your choice of school and will be able to be fussy about where you work.

Sixth form colleges are an option, of course. But they don’t pay as well!

I assume you are aware of the advice here but I including the link just in case you are not!

https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/routes-into-teaching

Good luck!

Scentballsballs · 05/07/2025 10:22

Fifthtimelucky · 05/07/2025 10:06

My daughter trained as a teacher 3 years ago though the SCITT route. Whilst the consortium of schools awarded QTS status, the PGCE was overseen and awarded by a University.

She had no say in the schools that she was placed in, but they did take practical issues (like accessibility) into account. They had to be contrasting schools. Hers were both comprehensives (no options in this area) but one was a high-performing Catholic school in a leafy area and the other was a more standard school.

I wouldn’t look at a PGCE without QTS. You can teach in maintained schools without a PGCE but you can’t teach without QTS (you can currently teach in an Academy without QTS but that is changing).

My daughter was straight out of university and had no other commitments, but she told me that one of the other trainees in her subject had two young children and still managed to do the training full time (although the provider did offer a part-time option). I assume she had a very supportive husband/partner!

More generally, please don’t be put off by people telling you not to do it! My daughter has now been teaching for three years. She loves her job and is very happy in her school. Behaviour at her school is not awful, the SLT are not horrendous - she finds them very efficient and supportive, and she doesn’t find the workload overwhelming.

No doubt she has been lucky with her school, but as an MFL teacher you should have your choice of school and will be able to be fussy about where you work.

Sixth form colleges are an option, of course. But they don’t pay as well!

I assume you are aware of the advice here but I including the link just in case you are not!

https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/routes-into-teaching

Good luck!

Thanks so much. Always good to hear the flip side! Yes I know the get into teaching site but will revisit 👍🏻
Good to know re Pgce without qts. I'm glad your daughter is enjoying teaching!

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