Teacher training -secondary

[ARR14]

Current TA looking to retrain as a secondary teacher. I’ve delayed applying for years knowing the heavy workload involved but now thinking I should just go for it! Both kids are school age but not sure if I should train part time or full time (I would need ALL the loans to do this)

Questions:
What are the pros and cons of part and full time training?
Is it too late to apply for this year?!
I would be doing a school based training (1 yr full time) what are people’s experience of doing this?
Any other pearls of wisdom gratefully received 😊
Thanks!

[noblegiraffe]

Which subject? If, say, maths/comp sci it can be more money to do a PGCE and get the bursary.

[MrsHamlet]

If you want to teach History, I suspect all places will be full. Maths/physics/comp sci will likely have plenty of places still.

[Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas]

Is there part time teacher training available in your area?

[frenchie4002]

Exciting!
I would do full time if you can. It is very full on but then it's done and dusted and is more reflective of the workload of the first few years of teaching. It's not too late to apply, I applied in July and started training in September when I went through it all so as long as local institutions aren't full there shouldn't be a problem! When you say school based training do you mean PGCE through a university or specific teacher training provider? Look carefully and enquire about hours etc. I found when applying it was less hours outside of school to do the course through a university as we had Fridays at uni to study and attend lectures etc whereas some friends on a SCITT/training through an academy trust had 5 days a week at school plus lectures etc in the evenings.

[WalkerWalking]

I would do full time for the training if you can manage/face it (because it's more straightforward, and you'll have more choice of courses), but then look for part time jobs. I've recently dropped to 0.7,and it's a totally different job.

[OldWivesTale]

Depends on your subject - physics, maths, IT etc you'll get in this year still; art, PE etc prob not.

I'd do PT if you can; the workload is crazy.

[ARR14]

Thanks for the responses. I’d do English and was looking at SCITT. There are some spaces still available but I’m not sure if student finance would be in place when I need it (I’d basically be living off any maintenance loan I could get)

[MrsHamlet]

Finance should be available in time if you were accepted for a September start.

[YetanotherPGCEdropout]

If you get a decent Personal Mentor and you enjoy the course then it can be really positive. You've already got your DBS, and so getting loan funded would be straightforward. I won't tell you the pitfalls as you probably already know.