I want to be a cookery teacher

silkyuk9

ok, im a trained chef, but not in the industry at the present time, however, ive always fancied becoming a cookery teacher. the only qualifications i have are in catering. Im now 40 so time is getting on.

ive done a little voluntary teaching a lot of years ago when my kids were in primary school and it was great.

ive been onto the teach.org site but ive found it very complicated to get info.

how can i go about this.

like i have said, when i left school all those years ago all i massed was a few CSE's then went on to college where i gained a few qualifications in catering.

any help or advise would be greatfully accepted.

chika

If you want to teach in a school you need to do a PGCS, GTP, or BA with QTS. If you don't have a degree you will need to get one. Also I'm not too sure cookery is taught anymore. When I was at school we learned Food Technology which was about everything from ingredients to packaging. Also the people that I know who teach this subject also all teach textiles also. I think you also need a good knowledge of nutrition.

I think maybe you might be best thinking about SEN, they do a lot of cooking as it promotes independence, you local college might have a teaching assistants course or an access course which will help you gain entry to a degree course.

Otherwise think about Further Education colleges, you can work as a non qualified lecturer in this field if you have the relevant experience, especially in vocational subjects.

Good luck

JemJam

When i did my PGCE there was a guy on my course who was in his late 40's, he taught cookery/catering and nutrition in the community mainly to kids and the unemployed etc, and at a few leisure college courses around the borough.

I think it would be well worth your effort contacting your local college about PGCE courses, espesh as in most cases (well in my entire course and others studying now) did it for free as you get funded for it - not sure if that's just Wales or a UK thing tho??

If you're looking for a way into teaching, maybe approaching your local Communities First or equivilant might be helpful, they often put on various classes and if they cant offer you anything wil probably be able to point you in the direction of someone who can?

Jem

BigSteveLondon

I'm studying to be a teacher now, but in the 16+ age group.
I have an HND + almost 20years experience in the subject I want to teach. The advice I got was varied from different agencies.
I was told I had to upgrade my degree before doing the PGCE by one. Another said with my expererience I would be fine, just apply direct to college and see. Others said apply direct to schools and go in that way.
I decided I wanted to teach something specific, so went for the LLUK route.
It's only quite recently that you had to have a teaching qualification to teach at college/uni. I'm now on a 15wk PTLLS course alongside some people who have been teaching for 20years at Uni. I can teach straight after that or go on to get my full teaching qualification DTLLS.

Here's the official info:
New entrants to the profession

A new framework of qualifications for teachers, trainers and tutors in the lifelong learning sector came into effect on 1st September 2007. The qualifications within this framework are credit-based, with core and optional units at different levels, enabling people to build a qualification that meets their professional needs. The specific requirements for teachers, trainers and tutors in the lifelong learning sector are regulated by Statutory Instrument.

All new entrants to teaching in colleges are required to complete a short introductory course that gives a threshold status to teach. Those with teaching, training or tutoring as their major contractual role are required to progress to a further qualification appropriate to their role

The teaching qualifications are:

• Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS)(6 credits)
This is the short introductory course that is mandatory for anyone who is a teacher, trainer or tutor in the lifelong learning sector. It is at level three/four of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), is available on both a pre-service and in-service basis, and involves approximately thirty hours of guided learning plus an additional thirty hours of self-directed study.

• Level Three Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (CTLLS) (24 credits)
This qualification comprises three mandatory units - Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (6 credits, see above), Planning and Enabling Learning (9 credits) and Principles and Practise of Assessment (3 credits) - and optional units that represent the target student intake, i.e., the environment in which teaching and learning takes place and the specific teaching/training/tutoring role.

• Level Four Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (CTLLS) (30 credits)
This qualification mirrors the content of the level 3 certificate but is at level 4 of the NQF and includes more credits from optional units.

• Level Five Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS) (120 credits)
This qualification is available as a one-year, full-time course or as a two-year, part-time course. Successful completion of this course confers eligibility to the status of Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS).

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You could try that route and teach 16+ cookery. At least you know the students have chosen that particular subject and want to learn it.
Entry requirements are Level 3 English (Maths for the next stage) + experience in the field you want to teach. I had to take the English test on application BEFORE being accepted.
If you are a bit nervous there are loads of tests online you can try, and see how you do. Just google adult literacy test (UK only)

Hope that helps

dobbie82

Just bumping this as am interested if anyone knew a non degree route into teaching?

My partner has a few CofE's, just hated school, but has his chef's city and guilds and over 20 years experience (15 years as head chef)

I assume the criteria for college tutors/evening classes is less than secondary school? (probably nicer teaching those who want to learn the subject anyways)

Savvy_Sue

You may be able to start teaching at evening classes / colleges without a PGCE, but you'll probably find he'll have to study for one as he goes along. My lipreading tutor was studying for hers last year!