Why if you do a primary PGCE are there no jobs?

the-mango

I just saw this mentioned on another thread and instead of hijacking it I thought I'd start a new one.

I'm thinking about doing a Primary PGCE and I was wondering if there reallly no jobs? and why?>

flea72

Because teaching has become the fallback career for people who are unable to find a job within their chosen field

Uni places dont tally with future vacancies. There are 9 estab within 30mins of me, offering 53 different pgce courses

Even if talking small year groups, thats could total 500-1000 nqts every year (most likely even higher) . Multiply that nationally and the numbers are way over vacancies

Missme

Perhaps, as a skilled/educated person you migh research your local jobs market...

the-mango

Missme wrote: »

Perhaps, as a skilled/educated person you migh research your local jobs market...

I actuallly already have a teaching position but was wondering whether I should switch my PGCE to secondary, even though I would much prefer to teach primary and feel I could give more that way

the-mango

flea72 wrote: »

Because teaching has become the fallback career for people who are unable to find a job within their chosen field

Uni places dont tally with future vacancies. There are 9 estab within 30mins of me, offering 53 different pgce courses

Even if talking small year groups, thats could total 500-1000 nqts every year (most likely even higher) . Multiply that nationally and the numbers are way over vacancies

Is it specifically primary though or secondary too?

flea72

the-mango wrote: »

Is it specifically primary though or secondary too?

All 9 offer primary based, with some splitting infant/junior. About 15 in all

At my DDs school most teachers have been there 10yrs plus (although new head is slowly but surely driving them out lol). Those who have left havent been replaced with nqts either. Too much babysitting and cover needed for 'away time'

I would say if you want to work in schools under special measures, large inner city primaries, or in the backend if nowhere, then nqts stand a chance of finding work. Want to work in middle class suburbia, you need 5yrs+ under your belt. Most nqts arent prepared for that as they tend to study their pgce close to home, in schools that are familiar and safe

the-mango

Ah well I have a place with teach first who only work with schools with a high proportion of children from low socio economic backgrounds and they are geneRally challenging schools anyway. I'm just undecided. I'm pretty sure I'll stick with primary as I only plan to teach for a few years and id enjoy primary more

nonnatus

Because people see Primary teaching as an easy life and a way into a career that provides massive holidays, great pay and a fierce union to protect you.

After all, how much knowledge do you REALLY need when teaching a Primary kiddie how to sing Nursery Rhymes? Compare that with the amount of knowledge (and patience and stab proof clothing) required to coach today's Teens through their GCSE's.

Which route APPEARS easiest / most pleasant to you if you were contemplating a teaching career?

In reality, Primary teaching is just as challenging and the teachers need a huge educational base behind them. And Secondary teachers often find their year group to be much more stimulating and rewarding than a load of itchy-bottomed little-uns...

But it may give you an idea why the Primary is so over subscribed at the moment. I wouldn't teach ANY age group for all the Ice Cream in Italy :rotfl:

flea72

the-mango wrote: »

Ah well I have a place with teach first who only work with schools with a high proportion of children from low socio economic backgrounds and they are geneRally challenging schools anyway. I'm just undecided. I'm pretty sure I'll stick with primary as I only plan to teach for a few years and id enjoy primary more

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the-mango

flea72 wrote: »

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? Teach First isn't about teaching for life, most than half of the participants on Teach First leave after 2 year and go on to do other things. Their vision is that no child's educational success is limited by their socio-economic background and they dont expect graduates to necessarily do this from within the classroom, but also in other areas of life like policy making, anywhere really, where they can use their influence to support the vision

dandelionclock30

the-mango wrote: »

? Teach First isn't about teaching for life, most than half of the participants on Teach First leave after 2 year and go on to do other things. Their vision is that no child's educational success is limited by their socio-economic background and they dont expect graduates to necessarily do this from within the classroom, but also in other areas of life like policy making, anywhere really, where they can use their influence to support the vision

Sounds like a lot of waffle, do they also talk about blue sky thinking?

The half that leave will do so because its very hard work, the pays not brilliant and they have to work at home on a night and weekends.

Policy making? after doing a couple of years as a primary teacher, really?