Becoming a Teacher

Leo2020

Bit of background to start.

- 5+ GCSEs Grade C and above including Maths, English and Science.
- Btec in Design
- HND in Graphic Design completed in 2003
- 2 Children, a 3 year old and a 9 month old

I'm wanting to become a Teacher, working with 3-7 year olds. I have discussed volunteering at my son’s nursery which is attached to our local school.

I have looked into a couple of courses and I am interested in either doing a BA in Early Childhood Studies or Early Years Education (3-7) with QTS. The advantage of the latter is that you become a qualified teacher at the end of the 3 year course whereas the first course I would need to complete that (3 years) and then do a PGCE (1 year).

I have contacted Sheffield Hallam who have advised that my HND would be considered acceptable for entrance on to the course so I would not need do an Access course. But having an A-level in a one of the Primary Core Subjects MAY be an advantage. I have booked myself on their Open day so hoping to get some answers to my many questions then.

I was considering applying to start in 2016 however, but I am thinking that it might be easier to wait? I am wondering if anyone has studied a full time degree alongside raising children, how hard was it? Would it be better to wait until they are both in school?

The other advantage I could see of waiting until they are older is that it would give me time to do an A-level or maybe other qualifications that might help me. It has been a long time since I studied so I think it would be a good idea to least do something to get me back into formal learning.

Anyone have any advice or wants to share their experience? Advice on childcare issues/costs etc welcome - or any other advice in regards to studying for a degree.

GwylimT

I'm a qualified secondary physics teacher, your courses may lead to QTS but as you will not have a specialised subject you will find it hard to find employment. Most schools will only employ a teacher if they have a degree in that subject eg maths, so think hard about that. Even so, you wouldn't be a qualified teacher until you have completed and passed your NQT year.

When I was studying my undergraduate physics degree I worked part time as a mechanic and I was a single parent. My son was at school so I only needed wrap around care (lectures continue until 6pm at many universities). Generally the course credits give you the minimum amount of extra work needed, so a ten credit course would require at least ten hours of home study.

You would benefit from volunteering outside of your desired key stage, especially key stage two as this is where your pupils will be going, it is also beneficial to gain experience in a special school. If any positions for an LSA come up in your area apply, not only is it good experience you see what it is really like to be a teacher.

From Monday onwards I will never have to teach again, the reality is there is no such thing as completed work as a teacher, there is always something you need to do, I personally have changed jobs as on my teaching days (part time), I would be finishing my work at around 11:30pm and it will still be unfinished. Teaching is not at all family friendly, so you need to ensure the low starting wage would be worth it after the expense of childcare.

missbiggles1

Have you looked at topping up your HND to a degree with the OU? You could also look at doing some some additional units in a a national curriculum subject which is really important.

fishybusiness

I studied a psychology degree whilst having children, they were 4 and 5 yrs old when I started.

Wasn't working but did volunteer, which also required training days, and early on a couple of training weeks.

It wasn't easy, and there were some difficult times, but overall if you are able to do a bit of time management and borrow grandparents on the odd weekend near deadlines, it is do-able and enjoyable.

Did have to skip out of the odd lecture to pick kids up from school. I was lucky, morning lectures started after school drop off so it worked out well. Other people on my course came in late due to dropping kids off. Lecturers were very understanding. Worth discussing with uni before you enrol/ start.

Regarding prior study - I was HNC level many years previous and had also completed an Access course about 5 years before starting my degree study. Was a bit rusty, once I was through the first semester it all came together. Psych did assume little prior knowledge, other degree's may not be so forgiving. Certainly IMO worth having a go at some study before dropping in to uni, will make it much easier, not sure I would take a full year though - have you had a look at Open University, there may be a short course you could use as a prep?

Depending on your household income, you may get help with childcare costs via Student Finance, really helpful if uni has a creche/ nursery.

pinkshoes

I'm also a physics teacher, and started my PGCE when my son was only 22 months. It was HARD work, but I did get through it, and am really enjoying my second year.

It IS a tough job though, with very long term time hours, so I would recommend volunteering with the age group that you want to work with to make sure it is definitely for you. Speak to lots of primary teachers, find out the pressures involved, the hours they put in etc...

You should also look into how many jobs are available e.g. Number of applicants per job.

Leo2020

Thanks for all the replies.

@GwylimT - When you say they will only employ a teacher in that subject if they have a degree in it what do you mean? I thought that Primary school Teachers taught all subjects and it was only at secondary level that you need to have a degree in curriculum subject?

One of my sisters friends has a degree in Psychology and then she did a PGCE at Primary level. I don't believe they teach Psychology at primary, she had no problems getting a job although she did move to Leeds from Sheffield so she could teach at a school in Bradford. She said she had two schools who were fighting for her, whereas in Sheffield there was just not enough jobs.

If you still need a degree in a curriculum subject then the BA Early Years Education (3-7) with QTS is totally pointless.

Thank you for the advice regarding different stages and schools, I have already received this advice from Sheffield Hallam.

I think the starting wage is around £22,000 per annum, this is a lot more than I have ever earned – although that is not the reason I am interested in teaching.

@missbiggles1 – The lady at Hallam advised me that I could apply to transfer to their Graphic Design course. However, I advised her that I completed the course in 2003 and I have never worked as a Graphic Designer. To say I am rusty doesn't even cut it! I think I would struggle with topping up to a degree.

I have however been looking at the OU as I am considering doing a course just to get me back into studying again.

@pinkshoes – I already know the job prospects in Sheffield are not good so it might mean moving unless things change. I know that we need new schools/school expansion due to the pressure on places, but I also know I can not rely on this.

dawyldthing

I'd second topping up your hnd to a degree as it would take a year compared to 3 for a brand new degree. Plus you might have had some of your funding for your hnd years ago? Afterwards you can apply for a pgce or depending where you are there are (I think you said Sheffield) courses by Scitt and teach first I think it is amongst others or there were years ago

We will need an abundance of primary school teachers soon due to the baby boom this past 3 or so years. I originally trained as a teacher, doing a 4 year primary education degree but failed my final placement but in a way it did me a favour as teaching is full on, sometimes 15 hour plus days from planning to after school clubs, meetings, assessments, training. The list is endless. I would try and get as much experience in a school even volunteering to see if it is for you.

Good luck

missbiggles1

Leo2020 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies.

@GwylimT - When you say they will only employ a teacher in that subject if they have a degree in it what do you mean? I thought that Primary school Teachers taught all subjects and it was only at secondary level that you need to have a degree in curriculum subject?

One of my sisters friends has a degree in Psychology and then she did a PGCE at Primary level. I don't believe they teach Psychology at primary, she had no problems getting a job although she did move to Leeds from Sheffield so she could teach at a school in Bradford. She said she had two schools who were fighting for her, whereas in Sheffield there was just not enough jobs.

If you still need a degree in a curriculum subject then the BA Early Years Education (3-7) with QTS is totally pointless.

Thank you for the advice regarding different stages and schools, I have already received this advice from Sheffield Hallam.

I think the starting wage is around £22,000 per annum, this is a lot more than I have ever earned – although that is not the reason I am interested in teaching.

@missbiggles1 – The lady at Hallam advised me that I could apply to transfer to their Graphic Design course. However, I advised her that I completed the course in 2003 and I have never worked as a Graphic Designer. To say I am rusty doesn't even cut it! I think I would struggle with topping up to a degree.

I have however been looking at the OU as I am considering doing a course just to get me back into studying again.

@pinkshoes – I already know the job prospects in Sheffield are not good so it might mean moving unless things change. I know that we need new schools/school expansion due to the pressure on places, but I also know I can not rely on this.

Providers of most PGCE courses prefer applicants to have a degree with at least 50% national curriculum subject and, as there are no shortages in this area, they can pick and choose.

Re topping up your HND, if you contact the OU they'll be able to advise you how many credits you'd need to take to be able to achieve an honours degree. As it wouldn't be in the same subject, being rusty is irrelevant.

ETA

Psychology is often the exception to the rule as there's such a lot of Maths content in the degree.

Leo2020

Well in that case I may be better off studying Early Years Education (3-7) with QTS as I won't need to do a PGCE. Certainly something to ask when I visit them on their Open day.

I didn't think you could top up to a completely different degree as you wouldn't have the right credits but I can certainly check.

Leo2020

To add in regards to funding. I need to do something higher than a HND to qualify for funding for my course fees. So I wouldn't get any help with a Foundation Degree but with a Honours I would.

Leo2020

Just checked OU and I would need a Foundation degree in a related subject to top up to either the BA (Honours) Early Years and BA (Honours) Childhood and Youth Studies.