Thinking about retraining as a primary teacher - am I insane to even consider it? (Scotland)

[sweetkitty]

Right I have 4 DCs, eldest 8, youngest 2. Youngest will go to nursery next year and school 2 years later.

I've always fancied doing teaching wish I had done after my degree but was so skint I got a job instead. I have a good science degree and worked for 8 years in this field until becoming a SAHM 8 years ago :O

I even went so far as getting an interview for the PDGE at Jordanhill but found out I was pregnant and moved house.

Anyway I was thinking when DS starts nursery I could do voluntary work in the DDs school a few mornings a week to get a flavour/experience then apply for the years PDGE course the year after or the year after that when he starts school.

My main worry is childcare, we have no family support so it is just DP and I, DP works long hours in a stressful job with an hours commute each way, he could potentially work at home one day a week. Afterschool clubs are £7 per day per child so probably unaffordable so it would be s childminder to take all 4??!!

If I got on the course and if I passed I would be guaranteed a years probation full time but after that it's very hard to get a job, temping wouldn't work due to needing flexible childcare. In an ideal world I would work p/t 3 days a week.

Given all this and if you've gotten this far, am I crazy to even think about it with 4 DC?

Just be aware of how few jobs there are in Scotland. My council are not recruiting perm jobs till 2015/16. You should be able to pick up supply work but due to the changes in pay structures it is very poorly paid for the first 5 days.

I am aware of that Stargirl but is that enough of a reason not to go for it????

The situation is the same with most councils I am sure.

Depends on how you would cope with the financial uncertainty. Only you can answer that. It does seem easier for probationers who can move than those who have family commitments (meaning they have a narrower geographical search area).

It's an enjoyable profession but difficult to crack into at the mo. Have you been on TESS forums yet? Lots of people there in the same situation as you as well as probationers and NQTs. They may well have more advice.

Good luck.

To be honest money isn't my first motivation, DP earns enough to keep us ok IYSWIM, this would be for me for my future, I don't want to have 4 teenagers and still be a SAHM. I've looked at other careers but most require a 2 year course at least. This way I would be using the degree I already have in some way. Yes I would like to earn my own money again though. But obviously child care is a huge factor.

As long as you're aware that there are practically no permanent jobs and are happy to do day to day supply (and deal with the shortcomings - £50 a day after tax, signing contracts to say you'll mark all work etc, no class of your own to get to know, older kids trying to wind you up etc) then I would do it. Things will pick up in a few years. Think it's much harder to get onto courses now though esp jordanhill.

I did the PGDE at j'hill, did my probation year, worked short term supply aug-dec, worked FT jan-jun and luckily have got a 4 day a week contract when we go back. It's hard not knowing in terms of money.

Sorry have just re read bottom part of your post. Realistically you need to expect to do short term supply for a while. V unlikely you'll walk into a long term 3 day a week post (my dream too!).

Plus point with short term supply - you come in later and leave earlier (well, I do, due to the new pay scale - refuse to come in early or stay in late when I'm being paid for 5 hours' work).

This is what I need to know, I doubt I would be able to be phoned up on a Monday morning and asked to do a week, childcare??!!!

I know teachers and know how bad it is just now even just getting onto the course. That's why I'm asking am I insane to even think about it, part of me think I should just try and get a part time job (easier said than done I know)

You also have to take into consideration how hard the PGDE and probationary year are...the stress and hours and how exhausting it is, then with DC of your own to l

(I keep blooming posting by accident )

Look after.

It's massively hard, especially without someone at home picking up the slack.

I know there's all of that as well, can't fit it all in just now nevermind with studying. Our local college does a TA course thought about that as well. And Early Years but it was 2 years.

I wouldn't even consider attempting PGDE until youngest is in school. Even then it will take over your life.

Volunteer in local school. Apply for any TA jobs that come up.

Go for it by all means but I would wait a bit yet. Hopefully job prospects will have improved by the time you do it and kids will be easier to manage.

I was thinking of waiting until the youngest was at school anyway.

I thought you had to have a TA diploma to work as a TA, my friends just done the years course, she said it was very intensive as well. Shes got a 2 day a week TA temp job, £7.10 an hour how little worth we put on teaching children, cleaners get more

sweetkitty in Scotland I don't think you need any diplomas to work as a classroom assistant, just experience AFAIK.

Do you know how much teachers get paid? It's £50 a day doing short term supply. £74 long term in your first year of teaching (after probation).

(In case it's not clear - I think the £50 rate is ridiculous - new rules mean teachers who have worked for 20+ years and want a bit of extra money i.e. retired teachers get paid the same as brand new teachers. And even for brand new teachers it's a really rubbish deal...)

it's disgusting really. I mean you need a degree at least if not a post grad for £50 a day? money's never been my motivation but I would at least want to make it worthwhile in terms of childcare etc.

DS is only two so thinking long term just now I really want to do something for me again. I thought about childminding as its convenient for school runs etc but that's just a continuation of what I'm doing now, toddler groups, toddler activities etc I want to get out the house ideally.

Oh I don't know what to do.

Did you enjoy what you did before? Could you try and find a way back into that?

I'm in the same boat btw. Spent the last year as a classroom assistant in order to gain experience for pgde. Now having second thoughts as job prospects on completion not great right now. In process of applying for a job related to previous experience - short term contract so hopeful I might have a chance....

No not really I was a microbiologist working in the food industry, had to move from Scotland after graduating to even get a job, came back 7 years ago and have been a SAHM ever since. That career is effectively dead in the water.

I've always wanted to teach as I said further down I even got as far as an interview, it's always been there IYSWIM.

So apart from having no childcare, the PDGE being near impossible, no chance of getting a job at the end or working supply for peanuts which I can't do anyway re childcare I should go for it (goes and lies own in a darkened room and cries)

If you want to do it then you have to just go for it.

It will require a certain amount of financial outlay in terms of childcare - look on that as an investment - and you will definitely need practical support from DH. He will need to be prepared to support you by taking on some of the childcare and household duties. IME that can be more of an issue than the kids.

My DP is great when he is here, totally 50/50. He did say he could get a day a week working from home to help with the school runs etc. problem is he works 60 hours a week as it is.

Well I have a whole year to think about it t least.

what about teaching science at high school....where I am you would be welcomed with open arms??? Also more likely to get part time hours

I thought there were too many Biology/Science teachers. A close friend is one looking to return this year too. Teenagers scare me.

nqt teaching jobs like hens teeth,you'll get probation year then nowt
if you proceed as supply you'll need good childcare,if youre serious you need to look into cm, and after school.
if as you say it's not about money and dh has enough then why is cost of childcare an issue ?either you can afford it ir you can't?