Career change - social work to primary teacher

Squiggly_Diddly

Just wondering if anyone has any knowledge they could give me about this...

I graduated with a BA Social Work from Uni last year & work for a private fostering agency (so in a Children & Families setting). I did work as a TA in primary schools back in 1999/2000, then in 2003 started a BA in primary education. At the time my kids were young, and other personal circumstances meant that I withdrew at the end of the 2nd term (having successfully passed all modules up to that point). I still wanted to go to University & thought that social work was what I wanted to do so 3 years later (2006) I started my degree in that. I do enjoy the job I'm now in but still wish very much to train as a primary teacher & wish this was what I had gone back to.

Obviously my degree content is not specific to the national curriculum but I can't figure out whether I would need to do some specific subject study before trying to apply for a PGCE (I've got the necessary GCSE/O level grades for Eng, Maths & Science). I also can't figure out whether I would be entitled to any funding or if I would need to pay for it myself now (having had 3 1/2 years worth of support from Student Finance).

The TDA website doesn't seem to have the answers to these questions, and although I have emailed a local Uni to see if they can advise, I thought I would turn to the knowledgeable people of MSE & see if anyone else can help....

Oh, and I have been a parent-governor at my kids' secondary school for coming up 3 years now, mainly because I enjoy it & love being able to contribute, but also because I hope it demonstrates my ongoing interest in education.

Thanks in advance....

Oldernotwiser

I would contact the university where you would want to do your PGCE and ask for their advice. Funding shouldn't be a problem if you're offered a place but primary teaching is very competitive at the moment.

ASmith

As far as I know you can have a degree in any discipline and still study for a PGCE.

I think having related experience such as a TA Assistant is pretty vital, but it sounds like you have lot's of related experience so I'm sure you'd be accepted.

Like Oldernotwiser said primary teaching positions are pretty competitive at the moment - but I believe you can supply-teach as soon as you qualify - but this doesn't count towards your NQT teaching year.

Don't quote me on this, just relaying what I remember my sister had to go through.

Oldernotwiser

ASmith wrote: »

As far as I know you can have a degree in any discipline and still study for a PGCE.

They prefer you to have a degree with at least 50% of a National Curriculum subject but some universities are more flexible then others.

Gleeful

ASmith wrote: »

As far as I know you can have a degree in any discipline and still study for a PGCE.

I think having related experience such as a TA Assistant is pretty vital, but it sounds like you have lot's of related experience so I'm sure you'd be accepted.

Like Oldernotwiser said primary teaching positions are pretty competitive at the moment - but I believe you can supply-teach as soon as you qualify - but this doesn't count towards your NQT teaching year.

Don't quote me on this, just relaying what I remember my sister had to go through.

Once you start supply you have 16 months to start your NQT year, I think. Although you can apply to get this period extended.

Primary teaching is very competitive. Have a look what vacancies are in your area as unless you are in a position to move it could be difficult to get a job.

Squiggly_Diddly

Thanks for the advice so far. I have emailed the Uni & already had a reply to say that my degree would be ok .

I need to get some recent in-school experience (although obviously my past is also useful), so will be making contact with a selection over the next couple of days, before they finish for the summer, to see if I can go for a couple of weeks at some point between September & November, and then can continue on a Thursday which is my day off generally anyway. I may also (just for my own personal satisfaction/knowledge) sign up to either some of the OU "mini" courses that run for 10 weeks (there are science & arts ones), or something a little more in-depth from October.

I also still need to find out the situation re money - I am reading that PGCE students are eligible for the same funding as undergrads, but still need to check if I would definitely qualify and/or what I would get - then if I have to use my savings to help me survive then at least I have a year to prepare.... I am not in a position for the next couple of years to move house, but I would be able to travel a reasonable distance to work if needed, so am sure it could be do-able....

flutterbyuk25

I'm trying to find out about funding for a part time PGCE that I'm due to start in Sept and to be honest it's so confusing!! TDA website refers me to Student Wales which refers me back to TDA!! I'm doing a post-16 PGCE one evening a week for 2 years.

In relation to the experience, if you get your skates on asap could you volunteer for summer clubs etc?

Good luck

x

Squiggly_Diddly

Hi Flutterby,

I know - it is a very confusing site!! It had me going round in circles too... Maybe it's all good preparation I've looked too at the direct.gov website & the sections on there for PGCE funding (it did have something about part-time) but think I am going to phone them up as I want specifics on my own individual circumstances.

That's a really good idea re the summer clubs - once I know what my youngest DD (14 in Sept) is up to, I can plan a bit more. I'm thinking otherwise I might try & break the experience into 2 separate weeks & then weekly (to fit in with current job). I really didn't think this would be a possibility so my brain is currently all over the place!!!!

amandacat

Hi

You will receive a bursary of £4000 for the one year PGCE
You have to pay tuition fees for the pgce but you can apply for a tuition fee loan even if you have previously studied. You may also be able to apply for additional maintenance loans, google 'student finance, direct.gov uk' where there is a calculator which will estimate your entitlement. (I tried to paste in the link but it wouldn't let me)