Is it worth it? Secondary teaching & PGCE

[Harry1801]

Hey everyone, just after some advice or honest thoughts from anyone who’s been there.

I’m thinking about doing a PGCE next September (or maybe the year after, depending on how long it takes me to save enough to get by without working full-time).

Bit of background: I graduated in 2021 with a degree in Business Management and have been working in Sales/Recruitment since. It’s been fine, but the only real motivation has been money. It all feels a bit empty and not something I can see myself doing long-term.

After a lot of reflection, I’ve realised I get the most satisfaction from helping, coaching, and supporting others, which is what’s got me looking into teaching.

I’d ideally like to go down the salaried ITT route, but there aren’t many around my area (N. Yorkshire) Since my degree isn’t in a high-demand subject, I wouldn’t qualify for a bursary, so I’m trying to figure out how to survive 9-10 months without pay while doing the PGCE (I rent and live independently).

I’ve seen plenty of mixed stuff online about the workload, lack of support, behaviour issues, etc., and it’s definitely a bit intimidating. But I’ve also read that when it’s good, it’s really rewarding.

So, to anyone who’s been through it: If you could go back, would you still choose to teach? Do the rewards actually outweigh the challenges?

I started my PGCE and QTS last month, finished for half term today, and absolutely love it.

I’m doing chemistry, and love the school environment, and it helps that my first placement is in a really good school, super supportive staff and lovely children.

Im doing my teacher training via a SCITT, so by week 2 you are in your placement school observing teachers and getting to know how it all works. This way also gradually gets you in front of the class, and you gradually build up your lead teaching hours.

highly recommend the SCITT route

Organise a week of work experience, preferably with a good snd a not so good local school. Look carefully at what happens in the classroom and talk with teachers about the work involved. Good teachers make it look easy and can lull you into a false sense of security.

I second the work experience and also suggest adding in work experience/observations at a sixth form college. Would you be able to teach economics or accounting as well as business studies? Teaching is incredibly rewarding but definitely involves a lot of hard work and resilience.

I retrained 5 years ago. I absolutely love it. Love being around the kids, love the school environment, love teaching my favourite subject. It’s bloody exhausting though. I think you have to really know that it’s for you, to be able to cope with the sheer intensity of it. So I add my voice to those suggesting you do some work exp.

It's a while since I trained as I am in my 15th year now! I teach Science and I am a HoD.

I would definitely recommend the SCITT route - I deliver the subject knowledge sessions for our SCITT and the training route really immerses you in a school.

In terms of subject, Business isn't a shortage subject but depending on A-level and degree content, could you teach Maths as well?

I would definitely get some experience in schools to give you a realistic idea of how it works.

I love teaching and working in a school - It's absolutely hectic, hard work and can be stressful at times but no two days are the same, you're never bored and the kids are great. Seeing them progress and grow is brilliant. So I would say it's worth it.

I’ve been working in education for over 20 years in lots of different roles (currently teaching). When it’s great, it’s really great. I genuinely do think teaching is what I am meant to be doing. I’ve always been so passionate about education. However, when it’s bad it can be incredibly draining. I’m currently in a ‘bad’ spell due to behaviour in the place I work, appalling pay (FE pays less) and intense scrutiny. This has started to affect my mental and physical health. I fear that education will be a very toxic and unbearable field to work in in another twenty years because of the way society is going and low standards with regards to student behaviour. That may be very pessimistic, but those are my honest thoughts.

Well, consider the worst possible outcome, you hate it but have a PGCE, QTS and can market yourself in learning development.

I changed careers in my 50s because I wanted to do something that felt directly relevant to the community / society I live in. Wasn't easy. I went for the university route, as I knew I needed the support, and learned soooooooooo much.

I brought a lot of experience with me, and that means I got promoted quite quickly. However, it also means there have been periods of quite significant frustration having to deal with people who've never done anything else but teach and couldn't manage a piss up in a brewery - so be prepared for that.

I love my job. I joined a school in Special Measures and was part of the team that worked towards RI and then we came out the other end as 'Good' - also explains my rapid promotion.

Behaviour isn't always great. Some of my learners are very vulnerable. Days can be challenging. However, after a very bumpy first year, I mastered the skills needed to be the adult in the room wearing a Teflon suit. Thing is, kids can sort of turn you inside out. Some of them have very hard lives. You're not so much 'delivering a course' as having a direct impact on their day-to-day experiences of trying to survive. It's difficult. But in the right school, with the right sort of community, when you know you're actually making a difference, it's a good feeling.

Workload decreases with time.