PGCE: Secondary vs Post Compulsory

[Galdem]

I am considering applying for a PGCE and am really struggling to decide between the above options.

I am have taught (as a visiting lecturer) in FE (just a couple f terms p/t) and in young offenders institutes (on short contracts), and currently work in a support role in a secondary school.

I like working with young people, particularly those with SEN or behavioural issues, but prefer KS4 and upwards at secondary level. I like the idea of teaching English, Media (my specialism from previous career), social sciences/politics (my degree encompasses these) and literacy/ESOL.

My problem is that I find both ideas (FE/secondary) appealing for different reasons, and am struggling to narrow it down.

Any teachers want to shed some light on what might be a good way to choose?

p.s. have asked on TES but never seem to get many replies there!

Honestly, I'd go secondary.

I have a PGCE in Secondary, worked in secondary for several years before I transferred over to FE. However, my colleagues who have the PGCE in FE cannot teach in a secondary school. This therefore limits your options significantly, and given the state of funding in FE at the moment, and the very uncertain future FE faces, I wouldn't risk it.

I know many of my colleagues are concerned about the future and their jobs, but I know I can always return to secondary teaching, if necessary.

I also know my FE college would happily employ someone trained to teach FE or trained to teach secondary, providing they had relevant experience.

That said, teaching in FE does not always need you to do the course first. I have some colleagues who got the job first, and then did their PGCEs in FE (whatever they're called) part time whilst on the course. However, I think more and more people just to the PETTLs course these days.

HTH

youngjoly, how did your colleagues manage to get their teaching jobs before they qualified as teachers?

I am looking into teaching post compulsory hut do not have QTS.

What youngjoly said.

They just applied for jobs, and then sought the qualification once they got the jobs. This may have changed in recent years, and you'll be able to check this out on the IFL website, but it certainly used to be the case (and may well still be) that you could get a job in FE so long as you committed yourself to getting QTLS within two years of starting.

Most people I Know who went down this route have relevant business experience, and then took jobs in relevant sectors (such as business, travel and tourism, photography etc). others had taught at universities. Most had some kind of teaching experience, like the sort you mention.

That said, jobs in FE are getting rare and are not that safe these days!

PS FEjobs.com is the common place to advertise FE jobs

I'd also recommend you go for secondary - with QTS. If you choose to go for work in FE after that you can, but you couldn't do it the other way round :)

Thanks all. Incredibly helpful. I strongly suspected that a Secondary PGCE with QTS would be the most sensible choice, but just wanted to garner a few more opinions.

Do any of you have opinions on which subject I would be best to go for (PGCE)? I had originally thought Citizenship, then considered social sciences, but a few colleagues have suggested English because of changes to the NC / employment prospects etc.

I could also do English with Media (although had hoped to study at the IOE, and they don't do this combo), as combined with my media background I thought it might be beneficial in case I did want to move into FE (have taught on Media BTECs / Diplomas / other vocational courses before). But I can't imagine schools will give a toss about media...

Opinions?

English is always a good bet

obv you have it 'sussed' - media's a huge on in FE, far less so in secondary afaik but it's on the radar badged as current affairs in some schools. so experience in it would get you brownie points etc. Go for whatever you think you could achieve best in, sounds obvious but bugger the tactics, at the end of the day to do a PGCE you have to prove you can teach and control a class well, achieve results, no easy feat. Go for your strength, you need to get the first goal and diversify later iyswim.

I did English with Media/Drama at London Met. Great course - v London-centric.

FWIW you can teach any subject as long as you can prove you can teach it. I have taught French, PSHE, Childcare!