[d0000dle]

From a very early age all I have ever wanted to do is teach, and from my various work placements I am 100% that it is something I still want to do. I love every second of being in a classroom.

However, the problem is beyond that I am unsure of everything else. Firstly, I have no idea if I want to go into secondary (teaching history) or into primary. The bulk of my experience has been in primary and it's something I thoroughly enjoyed. My secondary experience is not in history but in maths, although I am hoping to find a placement after my May exams. What I really would like to find out is other people's experiences in these areas. Why did you choose one over the other and how you are finding your PGCE? I know everyone's experience is different but I hope that it will inspire something in me to realise a preferred choice.

Secondly, whether I decide a place or not I am unsure about where to go to study, or if to do a SCITT. My GCSEs and A-Levels are rather good, and I'm on track for a 2.1/first, so I don't think they will hold me back as such. I don't really want to stay in Swansea, for as much as I love it here my only option would be to enroll at Swansea Met which is not what I want. I really need some inspiration, anywhere in the country is fine as long as the course is good.

Finally, I'm not sure if anyone here can give me some insight but I am toying with the idea of not applying straight away, but to give myself a break from academia and do something else. I quite like this but my experience of the job market isn't a good one, particularly as I watched my graduate boyfriend struggle for months to find a job and he now works in a bar. I wouldn't want to spend the majority of my time in a year off trying to find a job. I couldn't travel either because I do not have any money or savings behind me. Just anything on this topic would be really helpful.

Congrats on reading this far. The general jist is I would like your experiences of teacher training and why did you do what you did. I'm hoping I can find something to relate to or something new I have not thought of before.

[Abed1993]

Get some experience at secondary school and decided where you like it better

If you want your salary to constantly increase at a faster rate then secondary is for you.

[Raducan]

It might be worth looking at the Teach First scheme as an alternative to a PGCE, particularly as it seems that you are happy to move regions. That way, you could go straight into a classroom and have a salary from the first year. They also do summer placements with other organisations so you wouldn't be without experience outside of the sector.

In terms of which age group, you really need to get some experience in a history classroom and then see which you like better. No one can make that decision for you, I'm afraid!

[d0000dle]

Thanks for the replies, and you're right I need some experience in a history class first. Teach First is really interesting to me, especially as I will start with a salary. I'm not driven by money but starting out with some would be nice particularly as my overdraft scares me lol. Thanks for the help