Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Career change : how to get into teaching? (without going back to school)
Having spent the past ten+ years facing a computer screen I have decided to dedicate the rest of my working life to people. Nice thought, but how do I get about it?
I'm in my late forties, have changed directions a few times, needless to say that I have more skills than qualifications and that I do not have a proven experience of working in my new chosen field. As a qualification I have what I think is an equivalent to a foreign BSc, but I couldn't even tell if this counts as a degree. I have taught skills to people along the way through my different jobs, but this doesn't exactly make it to my CV. Finally, I only want a part-time occupation once I'm in, which I guess rules out a lot of options. And, no, I am not a parent, forget about mum jobs. The only positive is that I have been doing some voluntary work with kids since earlier this year.
I thought of becoming a teaching assistant, someone else said I could become a mentor, either way I know I'd be good at it (I would!) but... this is such a maze! I don't know the education system over here, but can't face going back to school for a year or more to study. Can I start somewhere and get training along the way?
Does anyone here know about the teaching world and could give me some advice?
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Isabelle on
-
Hi Drazub, thanks for sharing! I think I understand what you are saying – or most of it at least. I doubt that I'd like to enter the system further than being a teaching assistant or a learning support assistant, I'd become just another disillusioned teacher and can just imagine how soul-breaking the educational institution can be... In this environment, it must be really hard to ever become 'good enough' (as good as you could be if passion could be unleashed!).
On the long term I'd like to make use of my teaching experience with my knowledge of art/crafts and perhaps run small private classes. But that's just an idea (in case I feel like running away from schools!). For now, I'm trying to get my first work experience, got a couple of possible openings and am hopeful that I will 'get there'.
Hope you found another way now? :)
-
Permalink Reply by Jenny on
-
Still looking.
Painting and decorating at the moment to bring some money in. It's ok but exhausting.
There are times when I'm tempted to go back to teaching (it's a job...) but those around me aren't keen. The stress isn't good for any of us.
I'm sure you'll succeed. All you need is determination and you appear to have plenty of that.
Good luck.
-
Permalink Reply by pamish on
-
There's loads of useful info including personal accounts of teaching, on the Guardian Teacher Network which anyone can sign up to.
eg this recent article - I'm doing a PGCE at 40: savvy career move or expensive mistake?
-
Permalink Reply by Kerry-Ann Goode on
-
I have been thinking about going into teaching for a while. Although I have a degree I don't have GCSE Maths C or above. Although I could teach my degree subject at high school/further education level I would rather teacher primary (a lot of people have told me that I would suit that area). I would like to get a CRB check as I am also a massage therapist and that would help my career on that side. Is there a way you can apply for a CRB check yourself or does it have to be through a company? I might be able to get some voluntary work with the school of my church.
Good luck Isabelle
-
-
Hi Kerry-Ann, I am not sure that you can still apply for a CRB yourself – a friend of mine has done so because she works freelance in various settings, however I think that the law might have changed now. I've been told that each institution must request a new CRB check. I've got a couple myself, which were sent out and paid for by the actual organisations I worked for (even though they overlap in time). So your school will make the application on your behalf and their name will be printed on that particular form. Cost is about £40 and it takes 2-8 weeks on average for the enhanced check to go through. Meanwhile, as long as you're not alone with children but in the presence of other CRB checked adults you should be allowed to be near the kids.
As for teaching, classroom experience will definitely be a big plus – this is where I've failed so far, even though I've now got good experience around children (but not in an actual class)
...
-
Permalink Reply by L F T Snowflake on
-
Not having the GCSE's is going to prevent you from becoming a teacher.
It is also going to prevent you from getting on a teacher training course.
Do the GCSEs and then apply.
Don't fall for the 'GCSE Equivilency Test' trick either. This is the one that tells you you can do an 'equivilent' test to a GCSE in order to get on a teacher training course. Teacher training courses laugh at these things and will only accept geniune GCSE's.
I have been down this precise road and in the end, I learned that hard way that the only way to become a teacher in the UK is by having a primary education degree followed by a PGCE or for secondary, a school subject based degree and a PGCE and of course, the GCSE.
Schools do not like volunteers either. Also of course, remember that volunteers have no legal rights. You can be dismissed at any time and without a reason being given. Furthermore, if for example, something were to happen to you, the school would have no obligation to you.
As regards the CRB, the teacher training college will get that done for you, though they may ask you to pay for it.
-
-
Oh yes, the GCSE bit, you're right. I was thinking along the line of becoming a teaching assistant rather than a teacher (and teaching course), though I'm not sure if a degree would be enough for this rather than GCSEs, you'd need to check with the PGCE requirements.
Several recruiters have told me to go and get experience by volunteering in a school, so I should think it is common practice. You don't have to volunteer full-time, or be committed to it any more than they are committed to you – and why should they dismiss you if you're doing a good job at helping them? I approached my local school to offer my time and skills, but they said they're currently inundated with volunteers! I never got the feeling that they don't 'like' volunteers...
-
-
Well, I have seen sitatuations where volunteers are doing a good job, but a new head comes in who does not like them and thats it - gone.
There are things like reading schemes where volunteer parents are a great help, but being a teaching assistant is a paid role and I am not always comfortable with the idea of a volunteer covering a paid position, particularly for example, in SEN where I worked for many years.
In those areas, teaching assistants are invaluable because they have the specilialist skills and experience and training to deal with what can be very difficult students. Personally, if being a teaching assistant it what you want, then sign up with a college for a course and let them place you.
-
-
Hmmm food for thought, thanks. Didn't think that a college could also get me the experience (+ was told there's no need for formal training, especially as I did make it to interviews as is)...
I wish I could get paid while getting experience (and undertake official training along the way) but it's a tough market: if working for nothing is the only way I can get the experience in the first place and also what agencies advise me to do, then why not? At least volunteering gives one the chance to learn and practice about jobs one couldn't get close to otherwise (unless studying first).
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- …
- 4
- 5
- 6
- Next ›
© 2024 Created by Hugh.
Powered by
