Training as a teacher

[Haribosmummy]

Hi,

After MONTHS of umming and ahhing, I've decided to train as a teacher, probably specialising in secondary education.

I have the qualifications and relevant degree etc., but am a bit confused about finding a host school.

I'm quite keen to work (pref. part time) as an unqualified teacher - to be honest, I'd be quite happy to work on a voluntary basis for a few hours per week as I feel classroom experience is essential, rather than subject training... How do I go about that?

Do I just write directly to local schools? or do I need to go through the training provider?

And, if I write directly to the school, to whom would I address the letter (or is it acceptable to send an e-mail?)

Any advice from teachers or those training would be most appreciated!!!

thanks!

I think most of your questions should be answered here

Thanks - that was very helpful!!

I think it is the GTP or SCITT where you work as an unqualified teacher while you gain QTS. My friend wanted to take this route but she found getting a place really difficult.

Voluntary work would definitely boost your application whichever route you take to QTS. If it were me, I'd write rather than email, and include a stamped addressed envelope for their reply. I'd write to the Head Teacher.

You can find help here too

www.tes.co.uk/Forums.aspx

Good luck

www.tes.co.uk/Forums.aspx

I don't really think you have the option to work as an unqualified teacher.

You need to get some kind of Initial Teacher Training, which is main through a university/schools PGCE or via the Graduate Teaching Programme.

To get onto either of these programmes, you need to have some experience in schools - basically work shadowing - so that you know roughly what you are letting yourself in for.

You have to organise the work shadowing yourself, and you do this by writing to the Headteacher. Most schools will be happy offer you this experience given that it is necessary for all prospective teachers to do it. I would recommend that you go to about 3 or 4 different schools.

Thanks, Scienceteacher.

I will write to the local senior schools next week once they are back from holiday.

Is there are sort of standard template I should use when asking for work shadowing and how much time, per week, should I be asking for? (I don't want to seem pushy, but don't want to seem slack either!!)

thanks, HM

Work shadowing should be pretty much full time, and for a week or two.

When we have prospective students into our school, we put together a timetable for them so that they get to see as many classes and teachers of their subject as possible. This is so they will get a full picture of what life is like in school.

I think the purpose of shadowing is for the student to see what the culture is in schools nowadays because it may well be very different from when they were at school. They may have been at the top of the class throughout their schooldays, and may not have any experience of weaker students, so it is valuable to get this insight too.

There is no standard letter. Just introduce yourself as being interested in the teaching profession and ask if you can shadow some teachers in their school for a week. They will have a format that they follow, so there probably isn't a lot of point in being too specific. The head will probably forward it to the person responsible for student teachers in the school and they will have a longer conversation with you.

What subject are you interested in teaching?

Thanks so much! I hadn't really considered the possibility of it being full time for a week or so - I'd somehow envisaged it being a day a week or something... don't know why, really!

But, actually, a week full time would work much better with getting child care for DS!!!

I'm interested in chemistry at secondary level.. I have 2 degrees (BSc and MSc) in chemistry and have worked in a technical / lab environment since 1994...