Becoming a Primary Teacher

Westwardho_2

Hi

I am thinking of becoming a primary school teacher.

How do I get into this role? What training do I need? What experience do I need?

I am 24 and have a first class biological sciences degree, no experience of working with children...

Any help is much appreciated. Thank you

Oldernotwiser

You will need to do either a PGCE or a schools based training programme; you're unlikely to get a place on either without considerable experience with this age group. Have a look at http://www.tda.gov.uk/ for detailed information.

Westwardho_2

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

You will need to do either a PGCE or a schools based training programme; you're unlikely to get a place on either without considerable experience with this age group. Have a look at http://www.tda.gov.uk/ for detailed information.

Thanks for that- the website is really helpful.

At the moment I am on a couple of outreach schemes through the university at which I am reading for a PhD- one morning each week for general dogs-bodying and 'careers advice' (!) and one morning every two weeks for individual pupil mentoring. Both of these are in secondary schools. I have found it really difficult to get into primary schools for voluntary work so have had to work in secondaries, although I'm not sure how transferable this experience will be!

I have also been directing an undergraduate project this year and I have worked as a tutor in a number of laboratory sessions for the UG students in my department.

What other sorts of experience should I get to help me?

Oldernotwiser

Obviously real classroom experience is the best but volunteering with an organisation like Cubs or Brownies would be helpful and better than nothing.

I assume that you've looked at secondary education already as you experience is already there and there's a shortage of science teachers; primary education is very oversubscribed at the present.

kelloggs36

I second that - it is a very tough market out there with many applicants per job vacancy.

bylromarha

The primary school I used to work at would have loved to have you come and volunteer to work with the classes doing exciting experiments and the like - worth shelling out for a CRB check for you! Don't just rely on the union's volunteer services - write direct to a few schools you could travel to and see if you can be of help. Only the cost of a few stamps to you and the worst they can do is say no. Address the letter to the science co-ordinator - there will be one in every primary school.

I'm not sure how much primary experience you need to get onto a PGCE - I have friends who've got onto primary PGCE courses this year who have no experience of working with any kids of any age. Lots of experience is good, but if your uni does PGCEs, you may be best to talk to them and see what they advise - our local uni is quite keen to take on PGCE students who have already studied at the uni.