Thinking of doing teacher training.. am I too old?

[jojosmaman]

.. well I am 28 and I have worked in importing for about 7 years now (straight from uni.. work experience for 3 months... still there!!). I do enjoy it but it involves a lot of travelling to the Far east and with a new ds I am not as keen as I was. Also, I don't feel like I can have a career in the company I work for (long story, lots of dead wood)but I don't think I like the job enough to start hunting round for another.

So I was thinking about doing my teacher training, has anyone done this but not necessarily straight from uni/ college? It was something I seriously considered upon finishing university but was fed up of studying and wanted to join th rat race

any advise would be gratefully appreciated!

Oh forgot to add I was 36 at the time. Now they are at school they get the benfit of having me all holidays and it's wonderful.

I want to go back and do a PGCE once I have had my last baby, I'm 32 now so I would be at least 35 or 36 eek!

Think you would be at a definite advantage being a bit older and having your own children.

When I did my PGCE there were quite a few 'older' women - I mean 40s and 50s - and they all got jobs very quickly.

jojosmaman - in terms of secondary teacher training your first degree just shows that you are capable of becoming a subject specialist. I wouln't worry about how long ago you studied for your degree.

Yes, I did the 1 year course. I found it much easier than my first degree as I was used to working full time and didn't have such a full social life.

My sil is a primary teacher and if I'm honest I have to say that she works much harder than I do (well at least in terms of hours).

One of my work mates re-trained as a primary teacher and got her first teaching post last year, and she loves it. She is mid 40's I think.

She finds it very rewarding.

Have you thought about doing the GTP instead of PGCE? One of the teachers at our school, who's now around 40 did this last year after a crareer in (I think) biochemistry & having children.
Thispage has info.

Blimely, I hope you're not considered too old!! I've got another year to go before I complete my degree and then PGCE - so I'll be 50 before I start my first job - I hope.

the Graduate Training Programme (GTP) is for people with a degree who want to become teachers. you get quite a low pay but a day a week at college, and a lighter teaching load. still a lot to do on top of a lo, but someone inour school did it with 3 children, all under 10, so possible. may be possible to do this part time. if not, just remember the teacher's mantra, 'at least i get the holidays'

No way I thought you were going to say 48 or something!!

I did teacher training at age 26 and I was the youngest on the course by 12 years. Its better to be a bit older because you'll never be able to go out on a school night again. teacher training can be tough especially if you live in london, but afterwards its definately a great job. Good money lots of childcare perks, good maternity pay if you are having another baby.

I turned 30 during my PGCE year. Schools like to recruit teachers who have had a life outside of education.

I was at Bulmershe too, Duchesse

this is the official site

Having worked alongside GTP'ers in two different schools, I would definitely recommend a PGCE if you have access to a course within a reasonable distance.

GTP is so dependent on the views and skills of a small number of teachers. A PGCE gives you exposure to a wider range of teachers, and allows you to evaluate them in an independent environment.

This view, however, may be tainted by the fact that I did a PGCE.