Demand for male teachers VS Competitive Nature PGCE

Hey

So I am looking to apply next year for the PGCE. I`ve read a lot about a lack of male primary teachers and also about the high competition for PGCE places.

As a male do I have an easier chance of getting on the course? Based solely on gender?

Thanks, WILL

Reply 1

SarcAndSpark

Original post by 402will402

Unis obviously aren't allowed to discriminate based on sex.

Although every so often we do get comments about needing more male primary teachers, what students obviously need first and foremost are good teachers of either sex. However, primary teaching is starting to face some of the problems in secondary- so I think the competition for places will go down over the next few years, and there may also be more places/options available.

If you can specialise in something like maths (I believe you can do this with a Maths A-level), this will help you get a PGCE place and improve your employment prospects.

Reply 2

S27

I would certainly hope not. Get a good application together and get in on merit.

Reply 3

clarkey500

Original post by 402will402

Hi Will,

As you state, there is a lack of male primary school teachers which is noticeable in most primary schools you go in. I’m a male BEd student on a primary teaching course and I am hoping to write a blog post on this soon.

Obviously, in an ideal world primary schools would be made up of a 50:50 percentage of male and female teachers, so children are brought up with equality. However, this does not mean every male who applies should get a place on a teaching course. Your gender shouldn’t come into it - everyone who applies should have an equal chance of being accepted (based on equal qualifications and experience). You can’t treat boys and girls differently in the classroom, so it isn’t okay to do the same with teachers. If you want to enhance your chance of acceptance, apply early, read up on as much as you can about education and get as much experience in primary schools as you possibly can.

Reply 4

402will402

Hi everyone. Thanks for the advice. Yes I'm aware it shouldn't help but it was more just a general question about whether it does or not in the real world. It's nothing something I'm banking on or anything. Just a general question

Reply 5

SarcAndSpark

Original post by 402will402

Unis really can't be seen to discriminate- so most are very careful that they don't.

Primary PGCEs have become less competitive in general over the last 5 years or so, though.

Reply 6

StriderHort

The threads kinda dancing around the main reason for lower male teachers in primary ed - Society is suspicious of men and children and it just takes a kid with a mean streak to bring your career down overnight.

Anecdotal, but I got told a pretty nasty story once from a lecturer who had been forced out. Basically he'd pulled up a boy for misbehaviour and a few days later same boy claimed the teacher had approached them drunk in a park at night ect ect. Teacher was almost immediately found to have been 100s of miles away at the time yet still had to resign in scandal and move, kid got a 3 week suspension :/

Reply 7

04MR17

Volunteer Section Leader

People on my course but on 3rd year applying for 2018 entry Teacher Training courses was an interesting case on this. The two male applicants got (primary) places without interviews. All the other applicants had to go through interviews.

Reply 8

04MR17

Volunteer Section Leader

Original post by clarkey500

Let me know when you do. Would love to read it. :smile:

Reply 9

username1230881

Original post by 04MR17

I thought interviews were a Department of Education requirement? Never heard of anyone getting on a PGCE course without them, that's definitely unusual and not the norm (even) for male applicants. They were clearly in demand for that provider but in OP's case I wouldn't count on it.

Reply 10

04MR17

Volunteer Section Leader

Original post by doctorwhofan98

Don't know whether it was a PGCE or a different type of course. I may be getting confused and it was something like an offer without required degree grades or something, but there was definitely an advantage given to the two male applicants that the females were not. With this being anecdotal it is entirely possible that the two male applicants were simply better than the rest, and their exceptional application was rewarded with better offers.

Reply 11

username4094562

In my case, it was a matter of age. I got told by one interview I went to for primary that I was too young. I feel they said this because all the other candidates were older married people with kids. I was glad that I made the switch to FE as there is less nonsense like this than in primary. So, to answer your question, I do believe that with some teacher training providers, they might just take you on because of your gender. Really, they shouldn't be doing this but they do and no one is going to bother contesting the issue.

Reply 12

JaneJ15

In general, It ia a lack of male primary teachers for many years! You have good chance but everything depends on you only.

Reply 13

clarkey500

Original post by 04MR17

Let me know when you do. Would love to read it. :smile:

I still need to write up about the second half of my trip to a school in America on my blog. I went in June... At this rate it will probably be around November!