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Teaching A level
Hi guys,
I'm thinking about applying for a PGCE. I want to teach Geography (A level) at a college, am confused if a secondary PGCE will get me there?
Thanks
I'm thinking about applying for a PGCE. I want to teach Geography (A level) at a college, am confused if a secondary PGCE will get me there?
Thanks
yourjoyismylow
Secondary Geography will get you there
I thought so. Thanks. I got a bit of an ambigous response from Southampton University admissions when i asked if it would qualify me for teaching A level:
'The PGCE is particularly tailored to 11-16 years teaching.'
Is this the case with all unis or just Southampton? Would have prefered to done a PGCE there, as its where i am doing my undergraduate degree. Have e mailed them asking what the deal is.
Thanks
When you do a PGCE you are technically qualified to teach from 11 - 18 although, as correctly pointed out, most of your training will be aimed at the 11 - 16 range because we need more high school teachers. Once qualified, youll have QTS which means you can teach in any maintained school in the country. Technically, colleges (as well as independent schools) dont have to employ people with QTS, so in theory you could get a job in a college with just a degree. In reality, this is unlikely unless you have significant work experience already and if they did they would probably try to employ you as an unqualified teacher (meaning about 4k/yr less pay). For these reasons Id urge you to stay away from any sort of PGCFE (a PGCE for FE colleges etc) because it doesnt give you QTS and youll almost certainly receive poorer training and less pay by the empoyer.
The correct way is to do a normal PGCE as already stated as this qualifies you to teach the entire age range and then apply fr a job at a sixth form college. However, as a word of warning, I know my head of department would (not uncommonly) refuse to employ an NQT as an AS or A2 teacher - you would need a couple of years experience first and that means high school teaching. Id suggest doing a PGCE then aiming to get a job in an 11 - 18 school and moving onto a sixth form college after 2 years if thats really what you want.
However, the best advice is not to make plans before you start in teaching. When I started my training I was set on working in a private school but now I love my state school and wouldnt dream of ever working in an independent school.
The correct way is to do a normal PGCE as already stated as this qualifies you to teach the entire age range and then apply fr a job at a sixth form college. However, as a word of warning, I know my head of department would (not uncommonly) refuse to employ an NQT as an AS or A2 teacher - you would need a couple of years experience first and that means high school teaching. Id suggest doing a PGCE then aiming to get a job in an 11 - 18 school and moving onto a sixth form college after 2 years if thats really what you want.
However, the best advice is not to make plans before you start in teaching. When I started my training I was set on working in a private school but now I love my state school and wouldnt dream of ever working in an independent school.
I'm really not sure why anyone would expect a couple of years teaching before teaching AS/A2. Lets be honest with a degree in the required subject the knowledge required for AS/A2 should be second nature.
When I was first a head of department some 13 years ago I would not hesitate to timetable a newly qualified teacher to an A Level class.
When I was first a head of department some 13 years ago I would not hesitate to timetable a newly qualified teacher to an A Level class.
I dont think it is a subject knowledge issue - at least Ive never heard anyone object to it on those grounds.
The main issue tends to be that NQTs, being just out of training, have more important things to be learning and familiarising themselves with in an 11 - 16 setting and teaching in general given they have just spent one year training in that setting. To put them into a completely new environment and expect them to cope I think is asking a lot of them so early. Also, timetabling them to a AS class in an 11 - 18 school is probably a lot easier on the NQT and completely different to working exclusively with AS/A2 pupils.
I know some people dont see a problem with it but, at least in my experience (which I admit pales into insignificance next to yours), its not an uncommon stance to shy away from giving NQTs AS/A2 classes. In terms of ratio of held opinions, I have no idea - I merely mentioned it as something OP should be aware of because I think it is not insignificant.
The main issue tends to be that NQTs, being just out of training, have more important things to be learning and familiarising themselves with in an 11 - 16 setting and teaching in general given they have just spent one year training in that setting. To put them into a completely new environment and expect them to cope I think is asking a lot of them so early. Also, timetabling them to a AS class in an 11 - 18 school is probably a lot easier on the NQT and completely different to working exclusively with AS/A2 pupils.
I know some people dont see a problem with it but, at least in my experience (which I admit pales into insignificance next to yours), its not an uncommon stance to shy away from giving NQTs AS/A2 classes. In terms of ratio of held opinions, I have no idea - I merely mentioned it as something OP should be aware of because I think it is not insignificant.
Perfection
I dont think it is a subject knowledge issue - at least Ive never heard anyone object to it on those grounds.
The main issue tends to be that NQTs, being just out of training, have more important things to be learning and familiarising themselves with in an 11 - 16 setting and teaching in general given they have just spent one year training in that setting. To put them into a completely new environment and expect them to cope I think is asking a lot of them so early. Also, timetabling them to a AS class in an 11 - 18 school is probably a lot easier on the NQT and completely different to working exclusively with AS/A2 pupils.
I know some people dont see a problem with it but, at least in my experience (which I admit pales into insignificance next to yours), its not an uncommon stance to shy away from giving NQTs AS/A2 classes. In terms of ratio of held opinions, I have no idea - I merely mentioned it as something OP should be aware of because I think it is not insignificant.
The main issue tends to be that NQTs, being just out of training, have more important things to be learning and familiarising themselves with in an 11 - 16 setting and teaching in general given they have just spent one year training in that setting. To put them into a completely new environment and expect them to cope I think is asking a lot of them so early. Also, timetabling them to a AS class in an 11 - 18 school is probably a lot easier on the NQT and completely different to working exclusively with AS/A2 pupils.
I know some people dont see a problem with it but, at least in my experience (which I admit pales into insignificance next to yours), its not an uncommon stance to shy away from giving NQTs AS/A2 classes. In terms of ratio of held opinions, I have no idea - I merely mentioned it as something OP should be aware of because I think it is not insignificant.
I think that you are probably correct in that a lot of schools don't give NQT's AS/A Level.. I must say that I have worked in schools where the head of department/faculty has taken all the A-Level classes for no other reason than greed.
As for NQT's getting to grips first with 11-16 then moving to A-level; well I simply don't see the logic in this. If anything A-classes are the easiest classes to teach; furthermore it is often the case that in terms of actual subject knowledge the recent graduate has a wider perspective on the material than a long standing teacher. this last comment maybe subject specific, but it is often the case in maths/ further maths.
Hello there, this question is referring to anyone who has had a PGCE interview for PE in Southampton. I have my interview next week and I'm just stressing on what they're going to ask me in the individual & group interviews, especially on the national curriculum in PE. Any kind of advice would be a big help. Cheers!
Mrm.
I think that you are probably correct in that a lot of schools don't give NQT's AS/A Level.. I must say that I have worked in schools where the head of department/faculty has taken all the A-Level classes for no other reason than greed.
As for NQT's getting to grips first with 11-16 then moving to A-level; well I simply don't see the logic in this. If anything A-classes are the easiest classes to teach; furthermore it is often the case that in terms of actual subject knowledge the recent graduate has a wider perspective on the material than a long standing teacher. this last comment maybe subject specific, but it is often the case in maths/ further maths.
As for NQT's getting to grips first with 11-16 then moving to A-level; well I simply don't see the logic in this. If anything A-classes are the easiest classes to teach; furthermore it is often the case that in terms of actual subject knowledge the recent graduate has a wider perspective on the material than a long standing teacher. this last comment maybe subject specific, but it is often the case in maths/ further maths.
Schools probably wouldn't want to risk an unproven NQT on A-level classes where people's future (and the school's statistics) depends on the results.
brak3n
Schools probably wouldn't want to risk an unproven NQT on A-level classes where people's future (and the school's statistics) depends on the results.
Lol, you do realise that this is over 7 months old.....
Since Im applying for a job atm im seeing lots of job adverts that are 'open to NQTs' (which, if they specifically mention it in the job advert, I usually take to mean they are looking for an NQT/Recently qualified) offering AS/A2 level teaching. Its probably not as uncommon as I first thought.
I think though that in certain subjects its a lot easier. As you mentioned in yours and my subject, maths, you cant get through a degree without knowing the A level material inside out. I imagine you could do an A level and then a degree in English whilst conciously choosing modules to avoid Shakespeare for example, meaning that you dont have a full in depth knowledge of every aspect of the A level syllabus.
I think though that in certain subjects its a lot easier. As you mentioned in yours and my subject, maths, you cant get through a degree without knowing the A level material inside out. I imagine you could do an A level and then a degree in English whilst conciously choosing modules to avoid Shakespeare for example, meaning that you dont have a full in depth knowledge of every aspect of the A level syllabus.
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