Primary school teaching

I want to know what the best route into teaching. I’m really good at History so I’m thinking I could do a degree in history and then do my PGCE or do I go straight into Primary School Education?

Reply 1

National Careers Service

17

Original post by Amber1874

I want to know what the best route into teaching. I’m really good at History so I’m thinking I could do a degree in history and then do my PGCE or do I go straight into Primary School Education?

Hi Amber,

You mentioned going straight into primary education, if you do a degree in that with QTS, that's the quickest route into teaching as you get your teacher training included in your three year degree. The other option, to do a different degree and then teacher training can add one or two years depending on the teacher training route you take.

The main thing to consider is where you;d like to teach. If you're set on primary and don't think you'll want to change from that, the degree with qts would be more appropriate. However, if you did a degree in history, for example, and then teacher training, you'd have the option to work in both secondary and primary, giving you more career options later on.

It might be worth speaking to Get into Teaching, they run an advice service staffed by people who have worked in teaching, so they know the process inside-out...

getintoteaching.education.gov.uk

Best of luck with it all - Mark

Reply 2

i.hate.gcses

15

i applied for primary with QTS. It seems to be much quicker

Reply 3

wonderland.16

11

I'd argue that a QTS degree (what I'm doing) is great for people who know they want to teach, whereas a degree then PGCE is more open. As for who you can teach, I'm training to be a primary teacher but can also teach in secondary (although only up to a certain point, I don't know what age as I'm not interested in secondary).

Happy to share my experiences of Primary ed QTS degree if it's of any use!

Reply 4

i.hate.gcses

15

Original post by wonderland.16

I'd argue that a QTS degree (what I'm doing) is great for people who know they want to teach, whereas a degree then PGCE is more open. As for who you can teach, I'm training to be a primary teacher but can also teach in secondary (although only up to a certain point, I don't know what age as I'm not interested in secondary).

Happy to share my experiences of Primary ed QTS degree if it's of any use!

hey, could you tell me if the QTS course is demanding like is there a lot of coursework? and is it a fun course?

Original post by Amber1874

I want to know what the best route into teaching. I’m really good at History so I’m thinking I could do a degree in history and then do my PGCE or do I go straight into Primary School Education?

Hello

The Primary and Secondary schools are really very different places, and each have there pro and cons. Have a think about what is drawing you into teaching and see which setting best fits you to inform your decision.

In a primary setting, the work-load is slightly more than that of a secondary teacher, as you need to create a series of lessons for a single class, whereas in secondary, you'd likely have more than one class in a year group that you could adapt the same lesson plan multiple times. The career progression opportunities in Secondary are often in more abundance, due to the scale of size of the schools. The relationships you develop with a primary class and their parents will be much deeper, as you'll be with them alone for the majority of your teaching time, whereas you have a change in class regularly in a secondary setting. You do have a variety of subjects that you teach in Primary, that could be more engaging in the longer term, but if you really LOVE history, you'd be considered someone with relevant passion and subject knowledge as a specialist in a secondary setting. (That doesn't mean you couldn't teach other subjects in the school - I trained in DT, then was the PSHE lead, then an EAL specialist teaching all subjects to refugee children, and the Head of Art!)

Perhaps a visit to a local primary/secondary school may help you to make your decision?

Let us know what you decide!

Jane

Reply 6

wonderland.16

11

Original post by i.hate.gcses

hey, could you tell me if the QTS course is demanding like is there a lot of coursework? and is it a fun course?

Hey!
Sorry I only just saw your comment!

Hmm, it really varies uni to uni if I am honest. At my uni, we have about 6 modules. In first year we had 1 exam and everything else was assessed through assignments, the same in third year. These are often due at the same time as placement, or close to one another.
I'm not going to lie, it is a lot of work. Placements (in my experience) have included a lot of paperwork, but it's also great fun teaching, although stressful. Each year I have had around 8 weeks teaching placement, this year is slightly more.
Again, in terms of demands it depends on the uni. 2nd year I had about 3 assignments to write whilst on placement at the same time. That was stressful.

It's definitely demanding, and a lot of work. But if you know it's what you want to do then it's worth it. My best advice is to visit schools and observe, speak to teachers, NQTs and current trainees, especially those at the uni(s) you are considering.

I absolutely love my uni and have really enjoyed the course and the entire experience.

I can't emphasise enough that it really depends upon the uni, the placement school and you as an individual. This is just my experience.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

Reply 7

i.hate.gcses

15

th

Original post by wonderland.16

Hey!
Sorry I only just saw your comment!

Hmm, it really varies uni to uni if I am honest. At my uni, we have about 6 modules. In first year we had 1 exam and everything else was assessed through assignments, the same in third year. These are often due at the same time as placement, or close to one another.
I'm not going to lie, it is a lot of work. Placements (in my experience) have included a lot of paperwork, but it's also great fun teaching, although stressful. Each year I have had around 8 weeks teaching placement, this year is slightly more.
Again, in terms of demands it depends on the uni. 2nd year I had about 3 assignments to write whilst on placement at the same time. That was stressful.

It's definitely demanding, and a lot of work. But if you know it's what you want to do then it's worth it. My best advice is to visit schools and observe, speak to teachers, NQTs and current trainees, especially those at the uni(s) you are considering.

I absolutely love my uni and have really enjoyed the course and the entire experience.

I can't emphasise enough that it really depends upon the uni, the placement school and you as an individual. This is just my experience.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

thank you! thats really helpful to know! and since my full heart isn't in teaching, I'm not sure I will go ahead with this course

Primary school teaching

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