Teacher training

Oldernotwiser

sprogs wrote: »

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!

Unless you're trying to choose between totally separate subject areas, you don't have to choose straightaway. If your interests lie, say, in the Humanities, the Level 1 course will give you a taster of English, History, Art, Music etc, enabling you to decide which of these to take further in the future.

smartandshrewd

It is a very rewarding career but be warned, many colleagues have difficulty finding work, certainly in Primary, particularly in the North West, North East, South West and Scotland for several reasons.

1) The number of children on roll continues to fall.
2) Many local councils have a recruitment freeze on, expected to last for years in many areas. Some heads in certain authorities are being told not to use supply teachers to cover sickness.
3) Authorities are now amalgamating schools meaning fewer jobs.
4) Teachers who were due to retire aren't because they can't afford to.

There are many excellent teachers out of work right now through no fault of their own. It's worth knowing the reality of current job prospects before committing so much time to your career change.

sprogs

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Unless you're trying to choose between totally separate subject areas, you don't have to choose straightaway. If your interests lie, say, in the Humanities, the Level 1 course will give you a taster of English, History, Art, Music etc, enabling you to decide which of these to take further in the future.

Had another look today and actually liked the look of a level one maths module that assured me it expected no more than basic numeracy and literacy skills - so looks like a good place to start having been away from studying for a while. Maybe then I will be able to help the children with their ever more confusing maths homework!!

sprogs

smartandshrewd wrote: »

There are many excellent teachers out of work right now through no fault of their own. It's worth knowing the reality of current job prospects before committing so much time to your career change.

Assuming I don't move in the next few years I will probably be looking to work in the borough of Richmond - they seem to be expanding their primary schools at the moment! Whether the trend will continue who knows. I am looking at five years down the line - anything could change.

Hopefully just by having a degree it will open up other career options that I simply don't have at the moment.