Interested in being a teacher but dont know where to start!!! help!!!

badger735

Hi thinking of starting a career now my children are at school age. Im very interested in teaching and help out a fair bit in my children's
school. But i have absolutely no idea where to start courses etc seem like a minefield!!! Also getting an idea of how much it would cost is also proving hard.

wapow

Go on the net.
Look for a local careers office.
OR
Jobcentre and ask
OR
Google research
OR
Forums other than MSE
OR
Ring a school and ask
OR
Ring a college and ask
OR
Ring a Uni and ask
OR
Search MSE

dizzyrascal

I think you need to start by telling us what qualifications, if any, you currently hold?
That way we can offer better advice.
It is a minefield and at the moment, the rules are changing on an almost daily basis, but hopefully we will be able to shed some light on a possible route into teaching.

patchi

Heya - Depending on your qualifications/experiences/needs etc, their are many routes. Check out this thread:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3844957

mandragora_2

Have you asked the teachers at the school you work at about it? It will depend on your level of education/qualifications, among other things, but it's relatively easy to find out - they would be a good place to start with, presuming you have a degree already. If not, then it's a longer haul, as you will need to get that in place - and there's no guarantee of a job at the end of it. This is the best website for information:

http://www.tda.gov.uk/get-into-teaching.aspx

dawyldthing

you'd need gcses (a-c) in English, Maths and Science, either a-levels or the equilivant and then 3 years degree and a year pgce or 4 year degree with qts included. Cost - 36,000 tuition fees, 12,000 living costs i think too or there abouts (i did it in 2005 so was in the old tuition fee scheme). But its not easy, not cheap and I know many many teachers that are struggling to find work, many on maternity contracts and full time contracts are hard to come by. I can't remember the exact percentage but its something like only a 3rd stay on as a teacher after 5 years of graduation too.

dizzyrascal

If you are interested in teaching Primary you need a degree
Either an undergraduate BA in Early years or Primary education (with QTS –Qualified teacher status) 3 years to graduate
If you go down the named/subject degree, say History or English then you need to do a postgraduate course called a PGCE to get the QTS and do your teaching practice and qualify. 4 years to graduate (that is 3+1)
Therefore the BA with QTS is the quickest route. It will most likely be available as a full time course only.
Primary is extremely popular with a very high demand for places. If you have children I will assume that you will not be flexible as to where you can study. Your one option will be your local university
In truth, applicants for primary teaching will only be considered by the first institution (although you can name 2) so you will need to get the application spot on.
If that is the case then you will need to impress them that you can complete the course. Plenty of volunteering at school will help. Get as much variety as you can. See if you can be given some responsibility for something in the school (perhaps a project based around a theme – the jubilee for example)
As has already been mentioned you will need GCSE's in Maths, English and a Science as a minimum

The failure rate is high, approx 50% leave after 2 years. Some will return in some form after having time out to have a family/change of career etc but essentially you need to be clear why you want to do this. If it is just the holidays or fitting in working with bringing up your children, then you may want to look at your motives.
You need passion for this to work.