Thinking of training to be a teacher - will I be too old and other questions!

[LadyMacbeth]

I am thinking about training to become a secondary school history teacher. I've looked into it but am a little unsure of how it will affect my family life etc.

I would love to hear from anyone who can answer some of my questions:

1. When I finish my PGCE it will be in 2011 and I will be 35. I am concened that I might be discriminated against in favour of younger graduates. I think my age and, ahem, 'wisdom' could be to my advantage but I don't know. Does anyone have any idea of the general consensus on later here?

1. How easy is it to get a job when newly qualified? (or at least, qualified in that I've done my PGCE.) I live in a fairly rural area with a lot of very nice schools around and not surprisingly would love to find work locally.

1. I've heard that getting into teaching history is competitive. Does anyone have any idea how competitive?!

1. How much work - honestly - does the average secondary teacher need to do during holidays and after hours?

1. What is the system for getting teaching places in private schools? I would prefer to work at a good state but would be interested in the private sector.

1. Can anyone give me ANY feedback/opinions on life as a teacher?? It's an unknown territory to me and I'd be grateful for advice!

Thanks in advance!

No advice but I do remember having 2 awful History Teachers at school!

nutty was a good one
as s hitory teacher i must wanr you EVERY taxi driver will say to you

"i 'ated history ats chool - love it now - love the second world war - do you watch the history chennel?"

YAWN

nutty had a good one

I am 30 and currently a SAHM with my dd's. I am planning to do my PGCE when dd2 starts school so I will be 35 by the time I finish too. I am hoping to do some shadowing before I apply etc to make sure I choose the right age range. I thought I wanted to do upper Primary but don't know for sure. Anyway, good luck with it. My Mum is a teacher so I feel I have a little idea of what I am getting into. Makes me want to ensure I enjoy these years with the girls before the hard work starts . My dh is in the forces so I haven't done too much homework on courses yet as I don't even know where I will be living by the time I get round to it. I do hope I do it.

Out of interest, what do you reckon is the oldest age you could graduate as a teacher and be taken seriously? I'm thinking more about primary school teaching.

45?

hmm... Sometimes I think about it but I would be 44 when I graduate and I wonder if it is too old.

I am going back to primary teaching after a 6 yr break. Qualified in '94 and worked on and off btwn having kids and moving about a bit. I love being a SAHM but of all the 'away from home' jobs I've done, teaching is the one I love best

Oh and I'm 40 !

hells bells 35 is no age!

I was older than that when I trained

1. depends on the subject and if there is a shortage. I got a job in the school I did my teaching practice in

3.sorry, no idea, I'm a science bod

1. Lots. At least I do lots in the evening, but I do tend to have most of the holidays free, and I'm avery quick planner
2. You'll need to train as most Private schools want you to be fully qualified
3. I went into this as a mature student after doing lots of other jobs. I love it. It is demanding and can be very frustrating (rather like motherhood) but it is the best job I have even had. Totaly rewarding when it goes well....againrather like motherhood!

This is a v interesting thread. I have hopes of such a future (if my motivation comes back) I am currently PG so it's on hold again. DH thinks its a good idea for me to do something worthwhile.
Good luck to you anyway.

And remember we recently changed English law so age discrimination is illegal. Many employers have changed their recruitment so they don't even ask your age although I'm not sure if teaching is doing that. Hair dye, young look and no dates on CVs might help....

I've been teaching for 14 years now - and I wouldn't change my job for the world.

1. 35 is not old to join the teaching professions.

1. Finding a job as an NQT - difficulty depends very much on where you live ... for instance, I teach French, which is officially a shortage subject, and atttracts the training bursaries and such like - but here in South Wales, there were only 6 jobs for mainscale posts to start last September. Given that in the area we're talking about, there were about 100 NQTs qualified to teach French, then it's not that easy for them to get a job.

If you live in a nice area, where the schools are good, then you may find that it's a bit 'dead men's shoes' ...

1. No idea, but if you have the right attributes, then you'll get in, whatever.

1. I probably do between 1 and 1 1/2 hours work each night. During the holidays, then I plan to be working (and organise childcare for ds who's 4 1/2) for 2 days a week - but then I'm a Head of Department, and have a lot more 'stuff' to do ...

1. Before going to teach in a private school, you would probably want to do your NQT year - as there is a time limit to do this - unless, of course, you found a job in a private school, and were happy to stay there for ever.

1. I love my job. I have taught in leafy suburb schools, and am now working at an inner-city comp - and the highs really can't be beaten. (incidentally, I'm happier teaching at the so-called 'tough' school than I ever was at the leafy suburb school - there I felt like an underpaid tutor to the overprivileged). A good lesson with a difficult class will put you in the clouds.

That said, the lows are hard - the NQT year is particularly draining, and you'll wonder why the hell you're putting yourself through it - bank on doing 3 hours work every night - and more at weekends.

Good luck ...

I have currently put my application in to start a PGCE in September and I will be 32. They like to see recent experience with children and in a classroom situation on your application form, I am currently volunteering one day a week at a local school in the Maths department where I get to see the same children every week - I would totally recommend it.

Hi i am currently on a pre ITT enhancement course and start my PGCE (secondary science) in Sept. the age range on our course 22-55 with approx 50%of us aged 38-48 so it seems age is no worries. The other thing that does seem to have happened is that all the parents (particularly with the younger children) seem to be far mor organised and are getting the course work in ahead/ontime while many of the younger ones with few/no home committments are struggling with the work load!!!!

I just wanted to say it is so refreshing to hear the positive aspects. Every time I tell someone what I would like to do I get a negative 'you must be mad' opinion. Thank you. And it is great to hear I won't be too old by the time I get around to it to.

Just wanted to say how much I appreciate all your advice, I think it will be really useful! It's great to hear from others who are also considering teacher training. The more I think about this the more 'right' it seems for me and I'm very excited about it! Thanks!

Just to add, you are better off starting in the state sector IMO.

If you taught in private sector straight away, then wanted to move, the state sector would not be obliged to recognise the years you spent teaching in private schools and you would start on the bottom rung of the salary.

If you do a few years in state, build up your salary so you are on, say, point 3 or 4, then if you moved to the private sector they would obviously have to at least match your salary.

Good luck, Lady Mac!

p.s. to cite credentials have taught secondary Drama for 8 years, 6 in state sector, 2 in private sector (with a year off maternity for DS).