Considering teaching -what's the best way to get some work experience?

[sameagain]

I have been thinking about teaching Maths in a secondary school for a while, but my current p-t job has been going well and I've never done anything about it.

I work in finance and DS2 has just gone f-t at school, so now seems a good time to move and take on a new challenge. But I am aware that I don't really know what teaching will entail and also that I have been perfectly happy in another sector for 20 years, so I can hardly say this is my calling.

I was thinking of volunteering in a local school, to get some insight and improve my chances of getting on a PGCE course. Does anyone know if secondary schools use classroom volunteers in the same way as my DS's infants' does? What would be the best way to approach them? Pop in/write/send CV?

I have 8 O-levels including Maths, English and 2 Sciences at grade A, 3 A-levels in Maths and Science and a 2:1 degree in Financial Services (done recently with sponsorship from my employer) Will this be sufficient, or do I need more Maths quals?

Write to a school, they may allow you to shadow as a taster of teaching. Send a CV and say you would really like to teach and you have heard how fab the school is and would like to find out more. Schools are short of good maths teachers.

hi you!!

have a look at Teaching Assistant posts
Learning mentors = fewer posts but better pay
or find a charity with a school attached (often SEN) they might be glad of help, though likely to be unpaid.
Get a CRB if you can?

you need to spend some time in a local secondary school observing lessons, they will usually accommodate this. Your quals would be good enough for the course I run, and for most others too

Hi,

I know that there's a real shortage of maths teachers, so if you can do a good job of unpicking your degree and saying in what way it relates to maths, (and possibly other subjects?) then you could be ok.

I am primary but I wrote to schools formally to ask if they would consider me for work experience. You might have to pay for your own enhanced CRB checks so check this.

I also wonder if near you there are any 'taster days' etc as teacher training institutions often offer these to give you an idea of what it might be like. Going into schools more informally and helping out might give you a more realistic view though, and I should imagine the teachers will be more frank with you.

Good luck!

there are on-the-job training courses for mature students (as opposed to an immature one?) in subjects where there's a shortage - maths being one of them actually. If you could find work in a school for the rest of this academic year you would be placed to hear about these things, also they come with a reasonable training allowance [i.e. they pay you. Peanuts, but better than the rest of us who were penniless students whilst training]

Thanks all - Ducky, what kind of course do you run? I understood you really need a Maths degree to teach maths, but that there may be a possibility of some sort of "top up" course instead?

APM - I'd struggle to show my degree related to Maths TBH, numeracy, possibly, but not Mathematics. It included Law, Economics, Business, Investment, International Trade, Lending....

Thanks giggle - I don't need work as such - I'd be happy to volunteer if I could fit it around my current job, which is only 2 days PW.

Get in touch with the university(ties) that you would be able to attend and ask them directly what qualification they require.

Do that first.

sorry, been busy in RL for a couple of days! You need a degree in a related subject, which ideally includes most of the stuff yuo woudl be teaching - best thing is to send a breakdown of your degree content to the place you want to go to, there are then 6 month enhancement courses, funded by TDA, but you must have an offer to do these, so get applying now if you'll need to do one - see tda website for details

I'd just call in to a school/some schools on your day off. Explain your circumstances, and ask them if the Head of Maths could phone you at their convenience to discuss the possibility of a placement observing in schools.

I would say a couple of days a week for a couple of weeks will give you a good insight as to whether it's for you or not.

Then if you want to proceed, you could arrange to continue going in to school to build up some experience if you have the time.