Should I give up my job to retrain as a High School Teacher?

HockeyDuo8083

My current situation: Work in the Construction Industry and there is a high chance of redundancy at the moment. I have always wanted to get into Primary Teaching or Secondary School teaching (Home Economics).
I have got as far as filling out the GTTR application after checking I have necessary grades etc.
All good but...myself and OH are lookig to buy a house in the very near futer. We have had our Mortgage agreed in principal :j and have saved a very large deposit to put down.All good again.:j

Now I had a conversation with OH about getting into teaching and he backed me all the way until we then decided that I should hold off for a year and then apply. This is due to the course being a year long and we would have Mortgage payment, bills etc.

He said he would be totally supportive throughout the 1 year study time and accepted that I would only get a small grant or student loan possibly.

He earns around £38K a year and I earn less than £19K in my job. Money has never been a problem in our relationship and OH is very loving and supporting.
We have plenty savings as well plus we split everything down the middle but he happily pays out extra for food and bill if necessary.

I have really found it very difficult to be motivated in my office and it is a constant struggle to get out of bed in the morning. Doesn't everyone I hear you say! :rolleyes: Well I just have nothing to do all day at work, most of the tasks I do take about 5-10mins and that's me for the rest of the day. I keep asking for more work but there is nothing to give me.This job has no promotional aspects and was only a 'stop gap' after uni. The stop gap that has now last 3 years...
I just feel like I want to change now before I wake up at 45 years old still twiddling my thumbs at a desk!!:eek:
I know a lot of people being made redundant out there and I feel selfish and guilty but I want to build for the future now.

Do you think I should go ahead and apply anyway? Would give me 6 months to save up or should I try and talk to my OH again?Or do you think I am crazy and should wait a year?

Any words of wisdom would be greatly recieved.:A

Edited: since reviewing the requirements and current job situation and professional advice i applied for Secondary School and not Primary

sdooley

Why don't you apply but keep quiet at work for now - I asume the course starts in September? Keep up at your job - if as you fear the company makes you redundant you will have the money from the redundancy for extra help. If it gets to the summer and you change your mind you ould drop out of the course before course fees are due.

HockeyDuo8083

Thanks sdooley that is good advice. I have thought that I may not even get into the course anyway.

dmg24

Do you have any relevant work experience? If you really want to do primary, course entry is very competitive at most universities, and you will need experience of working with children. I would also consider that there are few new posts in primary teaching at present, so you may find yourself unemployed at the end of the course.

Secondary teaching is much less competitive, but it would be advisable to go for a subject where there is higher demand. If you are looking to work full time, you may struggle with Home Economics as your specialisation.

Aspiring

I'd say go for it. If it's been something you have wanted to do anyway, why not? As you say, 3 years for a "stop gap" is a looooooong stop gap

Buying a house is great, but I feel prices will continue to drop for at least the next year - that would be to your advantage, surely? Cheaper property/more for your money.

You only live once; I am one of those mid 40's that you speak of in your post and I'm off to Uni for the first time, for a full 3 year course this coming September - this is the first time in my life I have not felt "selfish" or "guilty" for doing something I want to do. :rotfl:

As your training is only a 1 year top up training, it will zoom by. One thing though, home ec isn't taught anymore. It's all "food technology" now and barely resembles what came under the heading of "home economics" (sadly )

Do it, do it, do :beer:

I very much doubt you would regret it if you did; but there's a good chance you'll regret it if you don't. Good luck, whatever you decide.

lynnexxxo

You had to apply but the 1st of December 2008 to guarentee that your application would be considered by your first choice I'm afraid, although you can still apply.

Primary teaching in Scotland is very difficult to get into. I'd suggest volunteering for your local scout/guide/bb's group (and see if you could put up with 30 seven year olds!) and apply for next year (2010 entry). If you can play a musical instrument or speak another language you would significantly boost your chances. Might be worth a few night classes...

What is your degree in? Depending on what courses you took depends on what other subjects you could teach at secondary.

Edit: A quick search at http://search.gttr.ac.uk/cgi-bin/hsrun.hse/General/gttr_search/gttr_search.hjx;start=gttr_search.HsForm.run

suggests that edinburgh uni still has places for entry 2009.

HockeyDuo8083

Hi all,

Thank you so much for your posts, I knew someone out there would help!

lynnexxxo, Aspiring, dmg24 - Yes I noted it was first of December but have emailed the institutions I wanted to apply for and apprently there are lots of places. I keep think I may not get in anyway so would be worth trying and if unsuccessful try again next time around.

My degree was in Food & Nutrition and I also have Higher Home Ec ( plus 4 other Highers and 8 standard Grades). Although I know that it is not called Home Ec at a lot of places now, I am only 26 so don't feel I am out of it already!lol

Experience wise, well not within a school but have been doing volunteer hockey coaching since I left high school all around Edinburgh, about 8 years worth. I know that's not in my subject but I think any kind of interaction is good.

Just need to find out what OH says.....:eek:

daviedog

Hi,

I left my permanent job in 2007 to retrain as a primary school teacher - which is what I always wanted to do but never quite had the confidence. I passed the course with flying colours and have been qualified since July - but I am unemployed. Teachers are not retiring as expected!!! If it's what you want to do, then go for it - the PGCE is a very hard course - it's intense and sometimes scary (and sometimes very enjoyable). There are more jobs in secondary schools at the moment it appears - especially Science and Math.

Think carefully - HTH - best wishes

D

HockeyDuo8083

Just an update...

Have filled out the GTTR application for 3 Uni's in Scotland each with full time vacancies for Primary and Secondary Education (Home Ec.)

Just need to write my personal statement now....:rolleyes: Any tips greatly received!lol

I had a big discussion with OH last night and he agreed to support me no matter what. I feel that waiting for him to confirm something that in my heart I already knew was holding me back.
I may not get in but at least I tried. This way if I don't then i can look to appy for a better job in the meantime and re-apply next year.

Thank for the advice everyone, won't be giving up my job unless I have a new job to go to or when Aug/Sept comes round and I off to uni!No point shooting ones self in the foot in these times.

starsinmycrown

I would take heed of what the other posters are saying and first of all do some homework about the job situation. Often in teaching right now, there are 200 applicants for one job. Primary teaching is VERY competitive and from the sounds of things on the TES forum, it's hard to get jobs in Scotland. There are warnings on teachers forums that applications this year have gone up 40%, due to the recession and people viewing teaching as a career where there are an abundance of jobs. There isn't. i have no idea why the government insist on pushing this propaganda, when teachers arent retiring at the predicted rate, and lots are leaving unable to find jobs.

If you really do need the money, it is a bit of a gamble. There are lots of unemployed NQTs and i'm not sure about how it is in scotland, but in england you must complete an nqt year in a job, by a certain time limit ( i think an academic year, if not you must apply for an extension) in order to be actually qualified. The PGCE year is incredibly demanding, and you may well be placed away from family for it. If i were you, i'd check out the job situation in your area. I know for example in brighton sussex , its uterly hopeless, with loads unemployed. If you want to be do it by all means yeah, go ahead. But if you are really needing a salary, its a risky business. Certainly the way things are in my area, i've chosen not to do it this year. Good luck.

HockeyDuo8083

Filled out my GTTR application and got a very glowing reference from my former tutor. So have sent it away for vacancies at Dundee, Strathclyde and Edinburgh Uni.


I don't plan on giving up work unless I have secured a place at uni. that woudl be a little crazy!lol

Will keep you all posted if anyone is interested.

Bye for now.