Teacher training

ipswichblade

natmour wrote: »

I'm currently at uni studying primary teacher training with English, this was my specialist subject, however you can choose any subject to specialise in, from Special Eduational Needs, Early Years, History, etc. They usually require a C in GSCE in the subject that you want to specialise in, however with the subjects SEN and Early years, there was no subject for it.
The uni also requires that you have a C in Maths, English and Science to be accepted onto the course.
If you specialise in a subject, it's mainly to help you when you become a teacher to be a head of subject, as there is a head for all the subjects at school.

Do you know what the course it is you want to do?
Only apply for a course with QTS as this is a qualified teachers status and allows you to offically teach.

Before you start the course they would ask for at least 2 weeks experience within a primary school, if you want to study the 5-11 route, or can do experience in a nursery if you want to do the early years route 3-7.

The interviews are quite hard as some uni's make you take a few tests to make sure your English and maths skills are up to scratch.

The first and second year of the course hasn't been as full on as previously stated. The only hard thing about it is doing the essays!

Can I ask are you male or female? As male teachers are needed more then female teachers.

Hope this helps!

Would agree with that. It's a hard couse to get offers for from certain universities, I applied to Huddersfield for example and only 25 places available and over 800 applied! I was lucky enough to get an interview but I didn't get an offer.

To the first poster...good luck with it. I'm starting a 3 year primary education degree later this year at 23 years old, after a long time not knowing what I want to do. Go for it!

sprogs

HampshireSeagulls wrote: »

I came in via a strange route, but basically I went with the OU. I followed a "simple" degree in Literature because I was advised to stick to a major subject, and not to follow one that is "XXX with XXX". You also need GCE/GCSEs in English, Maths and Science. You will need to take tests to prove you can still remember most of the content of these subjects! The OU proved to be a postive point in my original interview as it demonstrated an ability to self-motivate and that I was committed to lifelong study. I teach in Primary Schools, and we notice a definite difference between new teachers that have some life experience and those that don't - mainly with issues of classroom and time management. Their ability to deliver lesson is broadly comparable, but sometimes their ability to deal with a crisis is different.

Your PGCE year will be hard. Get some experience in local schools, as much as you can, and begin to become familiar with the acronyms and routines that are followed, also some of the documentation - it will save you in the long run!

Good luck!

Hi, I am just considering studying with the OU to get a degree to enable me to become a teacher. I am 39 so have left it a bit late! I am looking to be able to maximise my income once my youngest is old enough to fend for himself after school but still give me time at home during the school holidays! I have the relevant GCSEs as well as a BTec diploma which is equivalent to 3 A levels. I have experience of working in both primary and secondary schools and would like to teach in primary.

Can I ask how long it took you to get your degree (and how many hours a week you had to study) and qualify as a teacher? I can't afford to give up work so the OU looks like my only option to do this.

Oldernotwiser

sprogs wrote: »

Can I ask how long it took you to get your degree (and how many hours a week you had to study) and qualify as a teacher? I can't afford to give up work so the OU looks like my only option to do this.

Although I'm not an OU student myself, studying part time whilst working it would normally take you 6 years to get your degree and then another year on top to do a full time PGCE.

Don't go into teaching just for the holidays - you'll never survive it!

sprogs

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Although I'm not an OU student myself, studying part time whilst working it would normally take you 6 years to get your degree and then another year on top to do a full time PGCE.

Don't go into teaching just for the holidays - you'll never survive it!

Thanks, I already work in a school, not relying on the holidays - have lots of teacher friends and know what it is 'really' like, as a single mum it seems an obvious choice. Having thought long and hard about future career options in my personal circumstances it seems like a natural progression, but I will have to work (part time) alongside studying.

Oldernotwiser

sprogs wrote: »

Thanks, I already work in a school, not relying on the holidays - have lots of teacher friends and know what it is 'really' like, as a single mum it seems an obvious choice. Having thought long and hard about future career options in my personal circumstances it seems like a natural progression, but I will have to work (part time) alongside studying.

In that case - go for it!

You should ensure that at least 50% of your degree is in a national curriculum subject for primary teaching but there's plenty of scope with the OU to broaden out from there. You'll find that there will be some courses starting in September/October and you need to look at their Level 1 courses (First year of degree) which will give you a broad introduction to the subject area chosen. If you're hoping for financial support, quite likely as you're a lone parent, you need to register in plenty of time so that this can be arranged.

Have you looked at the OU website yet?

Infidel

Happy Summer everyone. May as well join in this thread. Does anyone know if it's too late to apply for a PGCE for September 09?

Oldernotwiser

Infidel wrote: »

Happy Summer everyone. May as well join in this thread. Does anyone know if it's too late to apply for a PGCE for September 09?

If it's in Primary, almost certainly, if in a Secondary shortage subject, maybe not. It also depends how flexible you are as to where you study. Have a look at the website to check for vacancies.

www.gttr.ac.uk

sprogs

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

In that case - go for it!

You should ensure that at least 50% of your degree is in a national curriculum subject for primary teaching but there's plenty of scope with the OU to broaden out from there. You'll find that there will be some courses starting in September/October and you need to look at their Level 1 courses (First year of degree) which will give you a broad introduction to the subject area chosen. If you're hoping for financial support, quite likely as you're a lone parent, you need to register in plenty of time so that this can be arranged.

Have you looked at the OU website yet?

I had a look at the website yesterday, there is an awful lot of information so I wasn't quite sure where to start, so your advice has been very helpful - thank you.

I have got as far as deciding that I would rather teach primary, haven't decided on a subject yet but would like to start this year so I need to get a move on!

HampshireSeagulls

sprogs wrote: »

Hi, I am just considering studying with the OU to get a degree to enable me to become a teacher. I am 39 so have left it a bit late! I am looking to be able to maximise my income once my youngest is old enough to fend for himself after school but still give me time at home during the school holidays! I have the relevant GCSEs as well as a BTec diploma which is equivalent to 3 A levels. I have experience of working in both primary and secondary schools and would like to teach in primary.

Can I ask how long it took you to get your degree (and how many hours a week you had to study) and qualify as a teacher? I can't afford to give up work so the OU looks like my only option to do this.

I did the whole lot in 4 years, but I doubled up on the courses. I worked like an idiot, to be honest, losing weekends as well. You can do it over 6 years, but I found that once I doubled up a Level 2 and Level 3 course that covered broadly the same areas, it was a lot simpler. My degree was in Literature, and if you are careful, you can find courses that cover the same information, but at different levels. It's hard work, certainly!

39 is not too late. I qualified as a teacher at the age of 41!

sprogs

Thank you for sharing your experience. I would like to do it in less than 6 years!

Think I will give an advisor a call later in the week to discuss my options, still can't decide what I would like to study!