Teaching...between a rock and a hard place!

gothic_girl

Bit of a rant really!

I am trying to get into primary school teaching... I have thought about it for ages but seizing the opportunity to as I have been made redundant.

I am not getting anywhere at all with the experience side of things as it last worked with children in 2003 and although I have got a glowing letter from them, no one is willing to take me on, as a volunteer! I have called and emailed and sent letters to virtually every nursery and primary school in the city, and offered to volunteer for rainbows and girl guides ( among others) with no luck at all. I am willing to pay for the enhanced CRB but to no avail! I would have thought I would have my hand bitten off at the thought of an extra pair of hands and no outlay cost for the CRB!

One of the schools that responded to me said they would not consider me until I have a enhanced CRB but as members of public cannot get them I am back to square one! Anyone have any advice? I'm not giving up as it is want I want to do, but it is soul destroying for someone who hasn't even spoke to a police officer :A! I realise its for kids safety and I respect that but how on earth are you suppose to break into teaching, when apparently everyone wants teachers!

Sorry for the early morning rant... any advice would be welcomed :j

BritRael

Do you have any teaching qualifications? If not, might be an idea to make a plan to get some.

My step-daughter did a one-year teacher training course (after doing her degree) and started her first full-time teaching job this year (which she loves)
Like you, over the years she has also done volunteering and worked as a teaching assistant. All good experience which looks good on a resume.

Good luck

Oldernotwiser

I think that schools may sometimes be overwhelmed with people offering to volunteer but I thought that the Guide movement was desperate. Have you tried your local cub and beaver packs as they often have women in charge of them?

Do you have a degree already?

gingerdad

gothic_girl wrote: »

! I realise its for kids safety and I respect that but how on earth are you suppose to break into teaching, when apparently everyone wants teachers!

Sorry for the early morning rant... any advice would be welcomed :j

I think the everyone wants teachers is a myth, lots of nqt's are struggling to get full time jobs in parts of the country.

The best thing to do would be pop down to a local scout/guide unit and ask if you can help, CRB checks with in the Scouts/Guides are free of charge. The only other way is to find a head who will sponsor crb, but that is unlikely to be accepted by any other organisation or even school.

my wife is a teacher and I know there school is over run with parents & volunteers doing allsorts of clubs, and after school stuff, so I can see its hard to crack it.

But I know plenty of Cubs/Beavers/Scouts/Guides/Rainbows/Youth Groups desperate for volunteers

sezzybear

Just a thought - to get a CRB disclosure - you could try to register with a teaching employment agency - they do temp jobs such as cover for lunchtime assistants that you might not need specific experience for - as they would need you to have a CRB disclosure and might be prepared to process one for you.

mrcow

Where abouts in the country are you? If you're near me, I may be able to help.

In my experience, schools are always asking for help! Do you know anyone with primary aged kids? the schools are always asking for parents etc to come in and help listen to children read or with other activities. Have a chat with the parents and ask if they get requests.

The other thing is to appraoch your local church - they are always crying out for volunteers to help with different activities which involve yonger children.

savvysammy

I was in the same position except still employed and looking for ways to get experience so i would be considered to do a PGCE (I have a degree).
I wrote to my local primary school explaining that i wished to do a days observation (which apparently only requires a List 99 check as you shouldnt be left alone with the children). They accepted my request and also said that if i wished to volunteer for longer i could (unfortunately the full time job prevented this but at least i was more confident that this was the career path i wished to take). As i needed an 'after work' activity, i approached the local Volunteering outfit via 'DO-IT.ORG' and was appauled at the lack of response i got considering i was offering my time for free!! I then spoke to someone at my local church and they accepted me with references and a CRB check (which was free as its volunteering) to be a leader at the youth group. After a few weeks i applied for a TA position and got it which i another step in the right direction.
This has been over 8 months in the process and at times i've felt very frustrated but it has paid off- dont give up!!

lindsaygalaxy

I was in the same position 2 years ago, but was lucky for a school to take me on (and they were the host school for the course). This is what I would do -

1. Do you have friends/family with children? These are often easier to get volunteer work with - even if it is listening to readers for an hour a week.
2. Offer to volunteer with the afterschool/morning club.
3. Get a job as a teaching assistant
4. Get a job at an afterschool club
5. Register with a volunteer organisation.

For the course I got on (GTP - work based after a degree) there was over 1000 applicants, there was 32 of us on the course. Stick with it, when you apply they will look for dedication.

jacquij123

Don't know if this is any help:

http://www.tda.gov.uk/Recruit/experienceteaching.aspx

If schools see you are serious about teaching the may be more prepared to help. Also I think it's secondary schools that have the teacher shortages, have you considered that age group?

flutterbyuk25

The Scouts are crying out for volunteers. I stayed at their HQ 2 weeks ago and that was a big topic of conversation and there were loads of posters asking for volunteers too.

I volunteer for my local youth offending team (YOT) so you could ask your local council for info on this. This is work with 10-16 year olds.

Approach as many charities as you can. I work for Prince's Trust and we work with 14-25 year olds. See here for volunteer info

This may not be the age range you are looking at specifically but it all counts as experience and it will hopefully lead to you gaining contacts which can help you get inot teaching. A lot of placements/jobs in this field are filled through word of mouth, so networking is key.

HTH and Good luck

x

gothic_girl

Thanks so much for all your responses... I thought that most would think I am on a 'pity me' party lol.

In short yes I have a degree, I do have experience with primary aged kids 3-5 and 7-9 mainly but that was in 2003, all the agencies have advised this is too old and will not take me on to their books ( regardless of the letter, and my offer to pay for the CRB, and recent referees, though not in childcare roles). Some want 3 months experience but within the last 2 years some others just want a few weeks. It is just getting that door open with the first role, and unfortunately I need the experience to do the PGCE to get the qualification.

The agencies told me there was no shortage of TA work if they took me on and would take me if I got the experience necessary. I had not heard of groups like the Girl Guides and Rainbows etc being short of volunteers but then I haven't had any response from any, I had assumed that they were inundated! All other TA/ Playworker positions are wanted at least level 2 qualified so I can't go for them.

I am in the West Midlands area. Only children I know are 7 and in Derbyshire, and aged 1 and 4 in the west mids. If someone else is struggling but has more experience than me PM me and I will send you the agencies I spoke to.

Thanks