Advice on funding to become a Primary Teacher in Scotland

Oldernotwiser

gambit27 wrote: »

Gothic thanks for that, didn't even think of Stirling! I'll give them a ring.

Sadie, Well done I've already been in a school for 2 years 1 day a week, and hope to keep it up while I do my highers, or access course, whichever will suit me more. Well done for going for it, your giving me inspiration to do it too! Think the higher's will suit me more than the access course, I've planned it out so I'll be starting Uni when my youngest goes to high school, but will look further into the access course before I decide for sure.

Agrinnall, thanks for that, I thought as much but wasn't 100% sure. The OU would be ideal as I could do it and still work, but they don't do Primary Teaching on it, you can do a degree then a PGDE, part time or full time, but it will take probably 2 years longer than just doing the Bed, so trying to do that if at all possible, if not, I'll rethink my OU degree then do the PGDE. Very long way to go, but will be well worth it in the end, all the teachers at the school are incredibly supportive, and are egging me on so I'm feeling motivated and ready to do it!

Although the OU will probably take longer than the BEd, you will save the two years that you'd have to spend doing Highers or a part time Access. There really isn't much in it and you will be far better off financially studying with the OU.

gambit27

Oldernotwiser, I need to gain Maths Int 2 and English Higher for entry onto the PDGE course so will need to do these at the very least, as well as a degree to do that course, so it won't really save time, it's more the element of still being able to work, or find out about funding I'm looking for.

I'm on track with my highers, going to stick with the initial plan of doing them seperately so I can keep working for the next couple of years, application's are all away, and I'll tackle the degree once I have the highers under my belt, I'm in no great rush, I'd rather make sure me and my kids don't lose out financially for as long as possible, that's my main concern.

Think doing the highers will also get me back in the studying frame of mind! (Hopefully) doing Maths Int 2 distance learning over 12 weeks, have done a few past papers and got everything right without too much trouble so think that part should be ok, then onto Higher English & Psychology, Higher history & something else, not sure what yet, the following year, then it leaves the doors open to do the Bed, if I can afford to give up work, or OU degree followed by PGDE full time for a year, or part time over 2 years, depending on my circumstances in 2 years time!

Thanks again for all the replies, if anyone has any other advice to add it would be much appreciated

Gillyx

I'm so pleased to hear this, I'm excited for you! I would recommend the Bed rather than the PGDE, easier to gain entry and doing something for 4 years which you're clearly interested in. Good Luck

gambit27

Thanks Gilly, I'll no doubt update this as and when I get started!

Fiddlestick

agrinnall wrote: »

I don't think anyone else has mentioned this but if you study full time then you will get a 100% discount on your Council Tax

That's not quite correct.

If you are a full time student then you personally will be exempt from any liability from Council Tax, but that does not mean that the *property* is exempt.

If there are any other non-exempt adults living at the property then they will still have to pay the Council Tax minus any other discounts or exemptions that they are eligable for.

Let me give some examples.

If you are the only adult there, then you will not need to pay any CT if you are a full time student.

If there is you plus one other adult, you will not need to pay any CT and as the other person is the only adult at the property eligable for CT, they can claim the 25% single occupancy discount.

If there is you plus two other adults, you do not need to pay and the other two adults will be liable for the full CT between the two of them.

Just something to bear in mind incase you live with any other adults now or during your studies

gambit27

Thanks fiddlesticks, I'm on my own with 2 kids, so just me for the foreseable future!