i feel trapped...

dizzyrascal

HoneyAndLemon wrote: »

Yeah, I've had teaching experience in a school. I did it when I was applying for the teaching uni, and didn't have a full time job. I've always wanted to be a teacher. By doing so many things I don't like, I've at least learnt what I would like to do. I just don't know how to do it.

If I finish my psychology degree through the open uni, it won't take that long, and I could continue working, which is fine, however I would have to do secondary school PGCE, and I would prefer primary school.

If I was to study something like English so I could go for a primary school PGCE, I'd have to start from scratch. This would take years if I did it through open uni part time & cost a fortune. I don't see how I could afford to go full time, either at open uni or a normal uni. Open uni is more realisitic as its cheaper. I don't think I'd get any more student finance if I went back to normal uni.

I rely so much on my salary now. We just about get by each month.

You need a degree to teach primary and psychology is a very popular choice. I don't know where you got the idea that you need a different degree to teach at primary level. If anything it is the other way around. Teaching at secondary level has to be a core subject and although there are some PGCE Psychology courses there are very few places as opposed to say English or History.

I think the best option for you would be to complete your degree through the OU as it is the most flexible method and you can take your study credits there. Then you can be looking at something like the Schools Direct Programme
Which will help you as you work and can't afford to drop your salary.
This is a much shorter and cheaper option to starting again and might help to give you some focus.
Are there any courses that you could start in february so that you can be building some credits up.
Most named degrees will let you do one or two other modules and still be within the boundaries of the named degree. Perhaps you could be doing something with an education focus to get you started.
You will need to get a good grade of degree to have a chance in teaching and get further funding. (if you chose to do a PGCE full time). Mr Gove doesn't really want any 2:2 degrees any more so aim for a 2:1.
Get plenty of voluntary work in a school environment (needs to be recent) or get to know a school that you know has issues (inner city schools usually need help). They may pay for your CRB check. If you can find the time, volunteer for a morning a week or as often as you can. They may then be able to take you on as a teaching assistant whilst you graduate. From then they may fund you on the Schools Direct programme. They tend to like to fund people they know. It is very time and resource intensive to train someone through the school route so they will want someone who they know will stay and complete the training.
Good luck

theoretica

Is there anything you can think of to make your current job more bearable before you leave it? As one example would it be worth trying to look older - something I use a different hairstyle for?

LannieDuck

I was going to say the same as dizzy - are you sure you can't do primary with a psychology degree?

If you were me I would definitely finish off the psychology degree, esp if it won't take you long. Many careers now require a first degree, so you'd be opening the door to a lot of opportunities.

Savvy_Sue

dizzyrascal wrote: »

You need a degree to teach primary and psychology is a very popular choice. I don't know where you got the idea that you need a different degree to teach at primary level. If anything it is the other way around. Teaching at secondary level has to be a core subject and although there are some PGCE Psychology courses there are very few places as opposed to say English or History.

This, and the rest of your post, seemed like very good advice to me. I too was surprised that a Psychology degree wouldn't be good for primary, you'd certainly cover psychology of learning in a PGCE!

theoretica wrote: »

Is there anything you can think of to make your current job more bearable before you leave it? As one example would it be worth trying to look older - something I use a different hairstyle for?

or dressing slightly differently, maybe a scarf or different style of glasses if you wear them? Very weak reading specs on a cord round your neck might do the trick too!!!

Callie22

dizzyrascal wrote: »

You need a degree to teach primary and psychology is a very popular choice. I don't know where you got the idea that you need a different degree to teach at primary level. If anything it is the other way around. Teaching at secondary level has to be a core subject and although there are some PGCE Psychology courses there are very few places as opposed to say English or History.

This is what I've always thought. My degree was in Education (not teaching) but a lot of my friends went on to do teaching courses and my understanding always was that you could get into a primary PGCE with pretty much 'any' degree, although it was preferred if it had at least 50% of a National Curriculum subject. For secondary, you had to have a degree in the subject you intended to teach. Although, having said that I was approached by the 'Teach First' people who said that my 'non-National Curriculum subject' degree wouldn't be a barrier to secondary teaching, but this was a few years ago and I suspect it's probably tougher now.

Nothanks

I used to feel trapped in my CSO branch job, hugely.

If you work for the same bank I did I'd say become a Union Rep. We're always in need of new ones, there's heaps of training available, a good support network and it gives you an awesome new skill set to take into a new job. Believe me, your area manager won;t intimidate you once you're handling disciplinaries that are way over their head. Just what worked for me.