Any teachers on PH?
Discussion
I'm graduating in June with an engineering/computer science degree and have been looking into joining Teach First (www.teachfirst.org.uk).
For those that are unfamiliar with the scheme you spend your first year as a trainee teacher whilst working towards your PGCE and then your second year working as a newly qualified teacher. All placements are in "challenging" schools.....
They claim to have strong industry links (you spend your first summer working for one of the partner companies on placement - Accenture, PWC, P&G, etc) and if you choose not to stay in education you have a heightened chance of employment at the end of the 2 year period with these partners.
Of course I fully expect it to be very demanding however part of me does like the idea of trying to make a difference where others have failed and can't help but think it'd be a very rewarding although very demanding experience.
The salary is a fair bit lower than I could be earning on a graduate scheme in IT/engineering but then nobody goes into teaching for the money, do they?
Opinions?
For those that are unfamiliar with the scheme you spend your first year as a trainee teacher whilst working towards your PGCE and then your second year working as a newly qualified teacher. All placements are in "challenging" schools.....
They claim to have strong industry links (you spend your first summer working for one of the partner companies on placement - Accenture, PWC, P&G, etc) and if you choose not to stay in education you have a heightened chance of employment at the end of the 2 year period with these partners.
Of course I fully expect it to be very demanding however part of me does like the idea of trying to make a difference where others have failed and can't help but think it'd be a very rewarding although very demanding experience.
The salary is a fair bit lower than I could be earning on a graduate scheme in IT/engineering but then nobody goes into teaching for the money, do they?
Opinions?
I did a PGCE after my first degree - industrial design. My plan was originally to use it as a fall back position if I ever became unemployed, as it can be quite a fickle industry; or if I enjoyed it, make a career of it.
During my PGCE, I had two different kids whose home life was so s
t that they would actively seek out detentions because they didn't want to go home. During the Christmas break, one of my students was raped and murdered. I heard numerous tales of just how st parents can be to their kids. In short it was one of the most depressing years I think I've ever had. Man's capacity to be unbelievably evil to its own off-spring really does beggar belief.
Most of my teaching was done in inner city schools in Brum - so you could call them challenging.
All that said, there are also some very very rewarding moments, which were unfortunately few and far between.
My advice, think long and hard about it, and ask yourself how you'd cope with: a lack of respect from the kids, kids wanting to fight you and going all out to provoke you to hit them, parents wanting to fight you, one or several of your students dying during your career, finding out that one your kids is being sexually abused? If you don't think you'd cope well with any of the above, perhaps pick another career, or make sure you only teach in good schools.
On a more positive note, I have friends who stuck with it and now teach in good schools and enjoy it - mostly.
During my PGCE, I had two different kids whose home life was so s
t that they would actively seek out detentions because they didn't want to go home. During the Christmas break, one of my students was raped and murdered. I heard numerous tales of just how st parents can be to their kids. In short it was one of the most depressing years I think I've ever had. Man's capacity to be unbelievably evil to its own off-spring really does beggar belief. Most of my teaching was done in inner city schools in Brum - so you could call them challenging.
All that said, there are also some very very rewarding moments, which were unfortunately few and far between.
My advice, think long and hard about it, and ask yourself how you'd cope with: a lack of respect from the kids, kids wanting to fight you and going all out to provoke you to hit them, parents wanting to fight you, one or several of your students dying during your career, finding out that one your kids is being sexually abused? If you don't think you'd cope well with any of the above, perhaps pick another career, or make sure you only teach in good schools.
On a more positive note, I have friends who stuck with it and now teach in good schools and enjoy it - mostly.
I did an engineering degree and then decided to go in to teaching, in my 3rd year now and really enjoying it. PGCE was hard work and, to be honest, was harder than any year i've had working, although I am in an independant school so the challenges are slightly different to my placement in a comprehensive.
You definately need to be of a certain personality, it's not for everyone and a number of people dropped out of my course. Stick at it though and it can be very rewarding. As for money, like you say no one goes in to teaching to get rich, but i'm probably earning at least what i would be if I went into automotive engineering. Can't complain about the 17 weeks holiday either
.
You definately need to be of a certain personality, it's not for everyone and a number of people dropped out of my course. Stick at it though and it can be very rewarding. As for money, like you say no one goes in to teaching to get rich, but i'm probably earning at least what i would be if I went into automotive engineering. Can't complain about the 17 weeks holiday either
.rhinochopig said:
I did a PGCE after my first degree - industrial design. My plan was originally to use it as a fall back position if I ever became unemployed, as it can be quite a fickle industry; or if I enjoyed it, make a career of it.
During my PGCE, I had two different kids whose home life was so st that they would actively seek out detentions because they didn't want to go home. During the Christmas break, one of my students was raped and murdered. I heard numerous tales of just how st parents can be to their kids. In short it was one of the most depressing years I think I've ever had. Man's capacity to be unbelievably evil to its own off-spring really does beggar belief.
Most of my teaching was done in inner city schools in Brum - so you could call them challenging.
All that said, there are also some very very rewarding moments, which were unfortunately few and far between.
My advice, think long and hard about it, and ask yourself how you'd cope with: a lack of respect from the kids, kids wanting to fight you and going all out to provoke you to hit them, parents wanting to fight you, one or several of your students dying during your career, finding out that one your kids is being sexually abused? If you don't think you'd cope well with any of the above, perhaps pick another career, or make sure you only teach in good schools.
On a more positive note, I have friends who stuck with it and now teach in good schools and enjoy it - mostly.
Holy sDuring my PGCE, I had two different kids whose home life was so s
t that they would actively seek out detentions because they didn't want to go home. During the Christmas break, one of my students was raped and murdered. I heard numerous tales of just how st parents can be to their kids. In short it was one of the most depressing years I think I've ever had. Man's capacity to be unbelievably evil to its own off-spring really does beggar belief. Most of my teaching was done in inner city schools in Brum - so you could call them challenging.
All that said, there are also some very very rewarding moments, which were unfortunately few and far between.
My advice, think long and hard about it, and ask yourself how you'd cope with: a lack of respect from the kids, kids wanting to fight you and going all out to provoke you to hit them, parents wanting to fight you, one or several of your students dying during your career, finding out that one your kids is being sexually abused? If you don't think you'd cope well with any of the above, perhaps pick another career, or make sure you only teach in good schools.
On a more positive note, I have friends who stuck with it and now teach in good schools and enjoy it - mostly.
t.You've certainly highlighted some of the issues that wouldn't normally spring to mind and are very far from the recruitment blurb. Something to think about for sure.
Did you do your PGCE via a programme like Teach First or did you just do it off your own back and then get a job afterwards?
Edited by Toaster Pilot on Sunday 11th December 17:22
Toaster Pilot said:
rhinochopig said:
I did a PGCE after my first degree - industrial design. My plan was originally to use it as a fall back position if I ever became unemployed, as it can be quite a fickle industry; or if I enjoyed it, make a career of it.
During my PGCE, I had two different kids whose home life was so st that they would actively seek out detentions because they didn't want to go home. During the Christmas break, one of my students was raped and murdered. I heard numerous tales of just how st parents can be to their kids. In short it was one of the most depressing years I think I've ever had. Man's capacity to be unbelievably evil to its own off-spring really does beggar belief.
Most of my teaching was done in inner city schools in Brum - so you could call them challenging.
All that said, there are also some very very rewarding moments, which were unfortunately few and far between.
My advice, think long and hard about it, and ask yourself how you'd cope with: a lack of respect from the kids, kids wanting to fight you and going all out to provoke you to hit them, parents wanting to fight you, one or several of your students dying during your career, finding out that one your kids is being sexually abused? If you don't think you'd cope well with any of the above, perhaps pick another career, or make sure you only teach in good schools.
On a more positive note, I have friends who stuck with it and now teach in good schools and enjoy it - mostly.
Holy sDuring my PGCE, I had two different kids whose home life was so s
t that they would actively seek out detentions because they didn't want to go home. During the Christmas break, one of my students was raped and murdered. I heard numerous tales of just how st parents can be to their kids. In short it was one of the most depressing years I think I've ever had. Man's capacity to be unbelievably evil to its own off-spring really does beggar belief. Most of my teaching was done in inner city schools in Brum - so you could call them challenging.
All that said, there are also some very very rewarding moments, which were unfortunately few and far between.
My advice, think long and hard about it, and ask yourself how you'd cope with: a lack of respect from the kids, kids wanting to fight you and going all out to provoke you to hit them, parents wanting to fight you, one or several of your students dying during your career, finding out that one your kids is being sexually abused? If you don't think you'd cope well with any of the above, perhaps pick another career, or make sure you only teach in good schools.
On a more positive note, I have friends who stuck with it and now teach in good schools and enjoy it - mostly.
t.You've certainly highlighted some of the issues that wouldn't normally spring to mind and are very far from the recruitment blurb. Something to think about for sure.
Did you do your PGCE via a programme like Teach First or did you just do it off your own back and then get a job afterwards?
Edited by Toaster Pilot on Sunday 11th December 17:22
I just applied for it - normal PGCE. I was very lucky I have to say, as the one I did - Art and Design - was the best in the country and very very well set up and taught. What I liked was that they gave you experience of the full continuum of teaching. IMO it's better to experience just how bad it can be before you make a career of it.
I started the Graduate Training Programme in Lower Primary in September. Basically, I work as a teacher and go to Uni one day a week. Pay is M1 of the unqualified scale, still a fair whack more than what I was on in my previous job.
I'd highly recommend it, the pay and job support are good and I enjoy the work- though yes it can be bloody exhausting at times. (school in North London, fairly deprived area)
Only thing is you need experience with kids to get on a GTP, so look into volunteering a few mornings or afternoons at local places. And if you haven't already- look at the gttr website for PGCE and SCHITT options.
I think a GTP gives you more chance a of a good job in your NQT year- and obviously your path into teaching is a mix of learning and experience rather than being thrown in at the deep end with really challenging kids.
I'd highly recommend it, the pay and job support are good and I enjoy the work- though yes it can be bloody exhausting at times. (school in North London, fairly deprived area)
Only thing is you need experience with kids to get on a GTP, so look into volunteering a few mornings or afternoons at local places. And if you haven't already- look at the gttr website for PGCE and SCHITT options.
I think a GTP gives you more chance a of a good job in your NQT year- and obviously your path into teaching is a mix of learning and experience rather than being thrown in at the deep end with really challenging kids.
The Char said:
I started the Graduate Training Programme in Lower Primary in September. Basically, I work as a teacher and go to Uni one day a week. Pay is M1 of the unqualified scale, still a fair whack more than what I was on in my previous job.
I'd highly recommend it, the pay and job support are good and I enjoy the work- though yes it can be bloody exhausting at times. (school in North London, fairly deprived area)
Only thing is you need experience with kids to get on a GTP, so look into volunteering a few mornings or afternoons at local places. And if you haven't already- look at the gttr website for PGCE and SCHITT options.
I think a GTP gives you more chance a of a good job in your NQT year- and obviously your path into teaching is a mix of learning and experience rather than being thrown in at the deep end with really challenging kids.
Sorry, could you clarify some of those acronyms? I'm fairly unfamiliar with the process, qualifications required and the English education system (I'm Scottish, and went to Scottish schools!)I'd highly recommend it, the pay and job support are good and I enjoy the work- though yes it can be bloody exhausting at times. (school in North London, fairly deprived area)
Only thing is you need experience with kids to get on a GTP, so look into volunteering a few mornings or afternoons at local places. And if you haven't already- look at the gttr website for PGCE and SCHITT options.
I think a GTP gives you more chance a of a good job in your NQT year- and obviously your path into teaching is a mix of learning and experience rather than being thrown in at the deep end with really challenging kids.
Actually, if anyone can provide me with some kind of resource that'll explain the English school system in detail, that'd be quite some help so I sound like I know what I'm talking about if I get an interview
I've only really looked into the Teach First programme so far (filling out my application now, as it happens)
Although starting salaries are initially lower within a few years you will be earning more as a Teacher than as an Engineer.
I work (as a technical, degree qualified engineer) for a very successful FTSE250 engineering company and a lot of fellow engineers are retraining as teachers for the career prospects and job security.
I work (as a technical, degree qualified engineer) for a very successful FTSE250 engineering company and a lot of fellow engineers are retraining as teachers for the career prospects and job security.
A whole host of challenging English schools are desperate for the right sort of teacher to want to go in and try and make a difference. Teach First is a great gateway and if you are made of the right stuff, and not everyone is, then inner city schools need you. If you thrive on the challenge and really want to make a difference, you will need a large dose of resilience too (as explained in the posts above). If you can stick it, then you could have a great career, with Headship via Department Head for the very best. Good luck!
Toaster Pilot said:
The real question is, how do I find out if I have what it takes without actually giving it a go?
Apart from seeking day visits via a Head, it's the aim of the programme to give you that experience and insight during your placement. In terms of self evaluation; have you had to display any resilience before? Have you been tested in sports, Army Cadets, adventurous training or through any previous experiences? Do you think yourself as resilient and not one to fold at the first hurdle/sign of difficulty? I've certainly had some demanding work experience in the past - a leading role in a system implementation project when I had very little experience at the time which involved training new users - most of which did not particularly want to be told how to do something by a 17 year old but had been told to attend by their manager. It was challenging but through demonstrating the positives of the new software and how it could improve their workload and daily role in general I managed to overcome the negativity and successfully deliver the training programme that I had set out.
Toaster Pilot said:
I've certainly had some demanding work experience in the past - a leading role in a system implementation project when I had very little experience at the time which involved training new users - most of which did not particularly want to be told how to do something by a 17 year old but had been told to attend by their manager. It was challenging but through demonstrating the positives of the new software and how it could improve their workload and daily role in general I managed to overcome the negativity and successfully deliver the training programme that I had set out.
That's great; but it had a successful outcome. What about when you have failed? How did you react and how did it make you feel? If it made you reflect and want to do it better next time, then this is for you. Or did you hate the feeling and now avoid similar situations? You can see where this is going?Then if you've never experienced failure you are at risk as you have yet to know how it makes you feel and what your reaction will be. Being a teacher teaching 15 year olds in an inner city school is not the time to find out! Maybe that explains the drop out rate after 2 and 5 years?
rog007 said:
Then if you've never experienced failure you are at risk as you have yet to know how it makes you feel and what your reaction will be. Being a teacher teaching 15 year olds in an inner city school is not the time to find out! Maybe that explains the drop out rate after 2 and 5 years?
I'm sure I have, everyone has at some point, just can't think of an example. 
I'm looking to get into teaching and currently teach English in Korea.
The thing is when I look at my schedule, my students, work expectations and where I live, I wonder if it is such a good idea.
I get a free apartment, do 22 classes a week with anything else above that totally my choice as overtime which is well paid.
I probably earn about 20k a year if you include the whole package at the moment and I don't have to work at an inner city school in Brum.
Interesting
The thing is when I look at my schedule, my students, work expectations and where I live, I wonder if it is such a good idea.
I get a free apartment, do 22 classes a week with anything else above that totally my choice as overtime which is well paid.
I probably earn about 20k a year if you include the whole package at the moment and I don't have to work at an inner city school in Brum.
Interesting
v15ben said:
I'm looking to get into teaching and currently teach English in Korea.
The thing is when I look at my schedule, my students, work expectations and where I live, I wonder if it is such a good idea.
I get a free apartment, do 22 classes a week with anything else above that totally my choice as overtime which is well paid.
I probably earn about 20k a year if you include the whole package at the moment and I don't have to work at an inner city school in Brum.
Interesting
If you're passionate about children and really want to try and make a difference for some great but disadvantaged children, then that's motivation enough for some. If it's about potential financial reward, then it's possibly not the vocation for some.The thing is when I look at my schedule, my students, work expectations and where I live, I wonder if it is such a good idea.
I get a free apartment, do 22 classes a week with anything else above that totally my choice as overtime which is well paid.
I probably earn about 20k a year if you include the whole package at the moment and I don't have to work at an inner city school in Brum.
Interesting
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