Would I be mad to consider training as a teacher?

[teenyweenytadpole]

Have been toying with the idea of doing PGCE but wondering if that is mad in the current climate of cutbacks etc? Am a school governor and can see that things are not necessarily good for teachers these days, also know of NQT's who simply can't get a job. Would it be a waste of time and money? Currently working in early years but pay is crap and no real prospects, don't want to be a nursery manager dealing only with admin and budgets. Thought about doing EYPS but can't see how that would improve my prospects (or pay!) really. I do have a degree and an MA and a postgrad qualification but they are all related to HR (which I did before DD1 was born and she is 9 now so hopelessly out of date!) Any thoughts most welcome...thanks.

I am currently at college hoping to go back to uni and retrain (not teaching). The area I want to go into has a shortage of jobs at the moment, but I'm ploughing ahead anyway, knowing that it's the only career I'm really passionate about. I know it may take a while to find a job once qualified, but jobs do come up, and I'll be ready and waiting when they do.

Even if you couldn't find a teaching post immediately on qualification, your PGCE could open up other opportunities for you that wouldn't be available to you if you stay where you are.

I'm in childcare at the moment, so I know how rubbish the pay is. I could potentially work my way up and manage my own setting but my heart isn't really in it.

I guess what I'm saying (badly) is that as long as you're prepared to be flexible until you bag the job of your dreams you should go for it! Life is too short to be stuck in a job where you feel like you're going nowhere.

Good luck.

I retrained as a teacher (PGCE) at 26 and it was best decision I made at that time!! I love my job, stressful at times, but so rewarding and in my area compared to other job opportunities, it is fairly well paid.

Couldn't see myself in my previous job until reirement - would have killed me slowly!!

Anyway, the only negative I am coming across (which I have just posted about) is securing a permanent job. I have found it very difficult - however there is work and if your heart is in it and you can afford to take pay cut etc when training - go for it!!

I think a supportive partner is v important as the pgce is intense!!

reading with interest

Hi thanks for your comments. Need to do some more research locally re courses. Not worried about the work involved in the PGCE so much as the practicalities of getting a job afterwards as we live in a fairly rural area so would probably have to travel. Any more input would be welcome - what about supply work, is that easy to come by? Not as good I imagine as having your "own" class but perhaps a good way to get experience?

Which subject would you teach? Or would you be looking at primary which is currently hugely oversubscribed?

I suppose at least you would be able to go back into childcare....

I don't mean to be negative because teaching is a fabulous career but as you're aware things aren't great at the moment and it's retraining is a big gamble in many ways.

Hi. I am a teacher and love it although it is really hard work. You don't say if you want to do primary or secondary? But in either field, despite cutbacks, there is so many children in this country and therefore a need for a relative number of teachers iyswim. If you can travel there tends to be plenty of work for supply teachers more so in secondary schools. As someone who interviews a lot of prospective teachers I can say that good ones are hard to come by.

Hi thanks yes I was thinking of primary, older kids scare me to be honest!! Seriously I guess I never really thought of secondary because I don't have "a subject" - my first degree was in social policy and my other stuff was HR related. So I suppose I was thinking of myself as more generalist. I am a school governor and recently recuited a teacher for DD's school, we had 25 applicants for one part time job! Maybe I need to think of other options.

I would say that primary is rather over subscribed and a lot less opportunities for supply. The big uns are generally brill good luck in whatever you decide to do

You will also, as a primary non-core subject person, be at a additional disadvantage getting onto the course in the first place. Many unis are showing a clear preference for NC subjects at undergrad level in the primary range.

It's horrifically competitive :(

Hi there,

I've just gone back to work after maternity leave.

I've just finished my work because there was no time in my working day to get it done - its 9.45pm and (woe is me!! I get up at 5.30am to get everything else in my life done).

I also remember when I trained being really glad I was single as it was the hardest work of my life. Its like any job its got good points and bad points. Holidays are great but you make up for it in the term times. Being a governor is in your favour - Uni's do like you to have experience fo working in a school. I would also go on the TES website and look and see how many vacancies are in your area - these tend to peak between Feb and April for September starts.
If you have a family it will be hard but its not impossible.

Do it if you really want to. I am an NQT (primary) and I cannot get a full-time job. I do supply in three local schools but it is very frustrating when you just want to crack on with a job you love.Good luck.

Primary is massively over subscribed for the reasons you mention, so I'd look at secondary if you can.