Salary levels for Lecturers

elisebutt65

Hope someone can help

I'm in my final year of a Ba and am looking to do my PGCE next year - I've got 3 Unis/colleges lined up that do the PGCE in Post Compulsory education.

I need to know though before I go though with this career choice, whether it is 'financially viable' (lol) I'm a single mum and don't want to go through all the extra studies to find that I start on a pittance and have to work my way up for years to get a decent standard of living.

TBH, before I had the kids I was on a salary of about £15,000, so anything like that or above is great. If not, then I'll go back to office type work without the extra years study as I can earn that much again if I go back to what I was doing (HR Admin type Stuff)

I know WTC makes up the difference but I want to get off the benefits track and start paying my way properly, esp as kids are getting older now so childcare is getting cheaper.

But I love the idea of lecturing and teaching - just not the under 16's - blehhh. Have enough aggro with my 2:D All my fellow students think I'd be brilliant at it, as does my bf and parents and I love getting putting together informal study sessions and going through stuff with my friends for dissertation etc. My year mmangers for the past few years agree with me as well and there have been indications made that if I qualify, there could well be a job for me at my current institution. I just don't know about pay grades and googling for it is sooo confusing.

Amy help gratefully received

seven-day-weekend

http://www.askatl.org.uk/atl_en/images/Recommended%20pay%20scales%2001Aug06%20%2001Feb07%20final_tcm2-26417.xls

Looks like the lowest scale is about £12.5k - I suppose it depends where they start you on the scale. When my husband started teaching, he started higher up the scale for having a First Class honours degree and previous work experience (not in teaching). I don't know whether they still do that.

niceguyed

Hi,

I taught for two years in FE a couple of years back and did a PGCE in Post Comp Ed. In terms of pay scales it's a real mixed bag. There is not an official scale as you would find in Primary and Secondary Ed. In reality for a FT post starting salaries can go from 15 - 25k with higher weighting for the south east. Also depends on supply and demand factors (how many people are qualified to teach particular subjects). This confirms what I am saying http://www.natfhe.org.uk/?id=fued0002

You will also find that there are no workload agreements and that you'll probably get about 30 days annual leave (no six week holidays in FE you know).

If I was in your position now (which I was). Here's what I'd do.

1) Check out the Times Ed forums (Tes Online, google it). You can post and the knowledge base is vast. There is a FE section on there.
2) Look at FE appointments in the TES and on college websites. Will give you a good idea of pay, conditions, job spec etc
3) Approach your local FE college and see if you can assist a lecturer or even talk to one who teaches in your specialism (may need to do your own CRB). I did this but I appreciate this may be tricky.
4) Don't assume discipline and behaviour is any better in FE classrooms. If I had a pound for every time someone says "well they choose to go so they must be motivated and well behaved" I'd be a rich man
5) Don't assume you'll be teaching 16+. With current vocational pathways (diplomas VGCSEs) and new developments on there way you could well find yourself teaching Year 9, 10 , 11 at your local college (this happened to me, and wasn't all bad).

Bottom line is that FE institutions have a poor rep as employers (divide and conquer of the unions to blame) and generally will try and squeeze every last penny out of you.

My story is I left it all as I was sick of 60-70 hour weeks in my twenties working with people a lot older on more money (silver book contracts) who hated their job. If it was just the teaching I'd still be there now I think. Obviously I chose this path and knew the score but walking it is a different story...

Anyhow, everyones experience is different and I have no regrets and I really hope things work out whatever you do. If you have any other Qs I'll do my best to answer.

regards

Niceguyed

marksward

that all sounds uncannily familiar to me

elisebutt65

Thanks all and whats a "silver book contract"???? Is that like tenure in the states???

niceguyed

Like a protected contract with excellent conditions that was given out to lecturers in the early days. Not too sure on the exact ins and outs though.