Need help on deciding to do a PGCE Primary or Secondary Music!!

truly86

Hey there,

Right. I need help deciding on what teaching qualification to do for next year. There are so many pros and cons that have been thrown my way by cover supervisors and teachers, and it is making me feel very confused.

For over a year I have been teaching violin and piano to students aged 4-9. As much as I love working with this age group, I gain more fulfillment working with students in secondary schools. I have about four months experience working in this setting and can relate more to the students. When I first decided I wanted to be a teacher, I chose to study for a PGCE Secondary Music because music is my passion and I want to share my skills and experiences with secondary school students.

What has got me worried is what will happen after I finish a course and where the jobs will be available. I spoke to someone who is on the Teach First programme and he told me that there aren't that many music jobs in the UK. I know there are loads in London, but I don't fancy being part of the rat race and worrying constantly about money. I want to know if there are music jobs in different cities. If not, should I just consider doing Primary PGCE as it is more accessible?

Any advice will be much appreciated

patchi

Getting onto any teaching course, whatever the route is very competitive and spaces are few. This varies from University, but some PGCE Courses will only take up to a maximum of 20 students having interviewed 60, shortlisted from hundreds of applicants. I've met people who have gained interviews for a PGCE Course 3 years in a row, but still not made it onto the course.

Universities are very much looking for experience working with children in general and the more the better. As you are enquiring about the PGCE route, I am assuming you have a degree - In what, may I ask? Whilst people do get onto PGCE courses without related subjects at degree, eg. Dance to PGCE Early Years Education, you really have to put your case as to how this will help in the long run.

Teaching jobs become available/advertised at 3 times each year, as teachers have to provide a terms notice and have 3 set dates by which they have to hand in their notice. Most jobs start being advertised from mid-May onwards for September starts. In recent years, the number of jobs available have become less and less due to various reasons, including the economy, so if you can move to a new place in the country, you would have more opportunities. There is currently too many trained teachers than jobs, so more competition for jobs. I know teachers whom qualified in '09, '10, '11 etc that still haven't been able to start their induction year. This is particualrly true in the Primary Sector.

Have you tried contacting Independant Schools? They often advertise on their own websites, not via agencies, LEA websites or TES jobs so keep checking those.

The route is up to you. PGCE Primary does give you the option further on in your career to become the Music Co-Ordinator within a School and Primaries are always looking for someone to play the piano at assembly time. Can't comment so much on Secondaries, as have never worked in one.

Hope this helps.

truly86

patchi wrote: »

Getting onto any teaching course, whatever the route is very competitive and spaces are few. This varies from University, but some PGCE Courses will only take up to a maximum of 20 students having interviewed 60, shortlisted from hundreds of applicants. I've met people who have gained interviews for a PGCE Course 3 years in a row, but still not made it onto the course.

Universities are very much looking for experience working with children in general and the more the better. As you are enquiring about the PGCE route, I am assuming you have a degree - In what, may I ask? Whilst people do get onto PGCE courses without related subjects at degree, eg. Dance to PGCE Early Years Education, you really have to put your case as to how this will help in the long run.

Teaching jobs become available/advertised at 3 times each year, as teachers have to provide a terms notice and have 3 set dates by which they have to hand in their notice. Most jobs start being advertised from mid-May onwards for September starts. In recent years, the number of jobs available have become less and less due to various reasons, including the economy, so if you can move to a new place in the country, you would have more opportunities. There is currently too many trained teachers than jobs, so more competition for jobs. I know teachers whom qualified in '09, '10, '11 etc that still haven't been able to start their induction year. This is particualrly true in the Primary Sector.

Have you tried contacting Independant Schools? They often advertise on their own websites, not via agencies, LEA websites or TES jobs so keep checking those.

The route is up to you. PGCE Primary does give you the option further on in your career to become the Music Co-Ordinator within a School and Primaries are always looking for someone to play the piano at assembly time. Can't comment so much on Secondaries, as have never worked in one.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for your advice. I have a degree in Music and Popular Music. If I carried out the Secondary PGCE and had to relocate to another city, I would do it, as there are hardly any music jobs in Birmingham (where I live). What I have done is researched music jobs in other countries and many of them are in international schools. The thought of possibly teaching abroad excites me and I wouldn't mind improving my language skills. I have worked abroad in Spain so would have no problem moving abroad permanently.

A few weeks ago I got in touch with the Teaching Agency and was told I am an ideal applicant due to the experience I have working with secondary school students. I have also taken it upon myself to approach the head of music where I always do cover work for, and asked if I could spend a day (unpaid) observing music lessons. I acted as a TA and because they were impressed, I was asked to cover some music lessons.

I have not contacted any independent schools, but thank you on suggesting I do this. I met a cover supervisor on Friday who knows of two music vacancies in a grammar school (music tutor, Saturdays only) and another at an academy he works at.

patchi

truly86 wrote: »

Thanks for your advice. I have a degree in Music and Popular Music. If I carried out the Secondary PGCE and had to relocate to another city, I would do it, as there are hardly any music jobs in Birmingham (where I live). What I have done is researched music jobs in other countries and many of them are in international schools. The thought of possibly teaching abroad excites me and I wouldn't mind improving my language skills. I have worked abroad in Spain so would have no problem moving abroad permanently.

A few weeks ago I got in touch with the Teaching Agency and was told I am an ideal applicant due to the experience I have working with secondary school students. I have also taken it upon myself to approach the head of music where I always do cover work for, and asked if I could spend a day (unpaid) observing music lessons. I acted as a TA and because they were impressed, I was asked to cover some music lessons.

I have not contacted any independent schools, but thank you on suggesting I do this. I met a cover supervisor on Friday who knows of two music vacancies in a grammar school (music tutor, Saturdays only) and another at an academy he works at.

The deadline for teachers handing in their notice to leave by Christmas is 31st Oct, so a number of jobs will be coming up over the next week or so. I've seen some pop-up in my area but have mainly been Teaching Assistant jobs. A few teaching posts have popped up, but are maternity cover contracts. This has become more common in recent years, but it is possible to complete Induction on 2, even 3 maternity contracts.

I've looked into International Schools previously but often request that you have at least 2 years teaching experience, including finishing Induction. The rules have (or are changing - Can't quite remember), that Induction can be completed at certain International Schools but this is at their discretion. Induction can be completed and some, but not all Independant Schools so be aware of this, once you have finished a PGCE course.

Keep up to date witb current issues/developments in Education - This is usually one of the key questions in any interview for a teacher training course.

Good luck with everything and if you have any other questions, feel free to send me a PM!

robins66

I am a qualified Primary teacher who turned to supply work following diagnosis of a heart condition. Over the last two years the demand for supply cover has fallen considerably as schools are restricted by budgets and are using cover supervisors or TA's. When there is work available Supply teachers are being offered work at the rate of approx £100 per day, which is equivalent to less than £20k full time equivalent for an experienced teacher.
I am registered with 2 agencies and direct with a local school. I have had 2 days work since the beginning of July. I'm one of the Governments successes. I'm not unemployed, I have a job, I'm just not getting any work.
There is also another option that you may want to consider, which is to do the key stage 2/3 PGCE, which will allow you to work in Primary or Secondary.