Calling any MN teachers - I need your advice...

[Rantaclaus]

I trained as a secondary school teacher (successfully completed a PGCE)ions ago - but I never did my probationary year - ended up working in an education-related office based job and then going back to university to get a masters which focused on child rights issues. Several years, a ds and alot of thinking time later I have decided that I would really like to retrain as a primary school teacher for a career. Does anyone know if I must do a PGCE again (reiterate I don't have QTS as I never did the probationary year). Whilst it seems that there are constantly advertisements to recruit new teachers or get experienced teachers back in the classroom, those of us who have part of a qualification or would like to change from one stage to another are really discouraged. I originally trained at the age of 22 and I am now in my thirties - I have a much better grasp of what I want and what I am capable of than I did when I was younger, but have been unable to get any support to make this change of direction. Any advice?

I know you can swop key stages regardless of what you trianned in, but no idea because you don't have QTS. You may have to do a referser course - why not try the TTA website or phone up your local LEA.

I am primary trained but am afraid I don't know for definite what the training would be in your situation.

I would be tempted to ring your local uni and ask them for their opinion/advice.

Good luck

From what I understand you can just do your probationary year now. I'd ring the Teacher Training colelge and ask as I have a feeling that it's now 2 years.

When I did it we were warned that there was a time limit on when you had to do your NQT year. Agree about phoning teacher training agency or maybe their website will tell you.

Thanks for the ideas - I did contact the TTA when I was pregnant, but they were not as helpful as I would have liked - perhaps I will try again - will definitely contact the local uni too. It is interesting that I may be able to still do the probationary year(s?) with my secondary training - although my PGCE was such an age ago that I really think some form of refresher course would be necessary - especially withthe v. limited experience of primary school that I have. Thanks everyone.

try this I work in teacher training (p/t) but haven't come across this before, will check next week for you if you don't get any joy before