Is this good enough for a teacher training course?

Hi! ☺️👋🏻I'm a first year Sociology and Criminology student. I chose it cuz it interests me a lot but I also work as a children's specialist at my retail job and I absolutely love talking to the kids. When I finish my bachelors, I'm thinking of doing a teacher training or a PGCE in either primary teaching or social science for secondary and college teaching (which is what I originally wanted but now not sure). My experience at the end of yr 2/start of yr 3 will look likenglish teaching (to a group of refugee-mainly teenagers) for over a yrPrimary school teaching assistant for over a year (2 days per week)Secondary school (observing) for a week (hopefully, but haven't got this far yet) Is this experience good enough to apply to aa) primary school training? b) secondary school training? Also can I do a primary PGCE/ITT with a sociology degree? If anyone knows. Thank you!

Hi Mimi,

It sounds like you will have a substantial amount of teaching experience under your belt before applying for a teacher training course. While school experience is not a mandatory requirement for a teacher training course, it is very beneficial for enhancing your personal statement and helping you decide what age group you would like to teach.

You can absolutely do a primary PGCE with a sociology degree! A primary PGCE differs from secondary because you will be teaching a broad range of subjects. However, for secondary there is usually an expectation of at least 50% subject knowledge in your degree to teach a specific subject.

I would suggest registering with The Get Into Teaching Information Service for a free adviser, who will be able to help you research how to train to be a teacher, navigate the application process and answer any specific questions. Here is the link: https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/

Best wishes,

Nicole

Thanks so much, Nicole!

I read that for some secodary courses (like UCL social science pgce and qts) you need at least 10 days experience in a classroom. Local providers are doing teacher training in secondary subjects but Sociology and Criminology are a rare find. If not secondary, I can always look to primary, and I would love to teach younger kids as I find it easier and more enjoyable (I grew up with a little brother so I'm more used to looking after younger relatives). My only concern is if primary schools will employ me with a sociology degree. I guess time will tell. Thank you, I already signed up for Train to Teach events and talks, so I look forward to finding out more about teaching.

Thanks so much, Nicole!

I read that for some secodary courses (like UCL social science pgce and qts) you need at least 10 days experience in a classroom. Local providers are doing teacher training in secondary subjects but Sociology and Criminology are a rare find. If not secondary, I can always look to primary, and I would love to teach younger kids as I find it easier and more enjoyable (I grew up with a little brother so I'm more used to looking after younger relatives). My only concern is if primary schools will employ me with a sociology degree. I guess time will tell. Thank you, I already signed up for Train to Teach events and talks, so I look forward to finding out more about teaching.

Thanks so much, Nicole!

I read that for some secodary courses (like UCL social science pgce and qts) you need at least 10 days experience in a classroom. Local providers are doing teacher training in secondary subjects but Sociology and Criminology are a rare find. If not secondary, I can always look to primary, and I would love to teach younger kids as I find it easier and more enjoyable (I grew up with a little brother so I'm more used to looking after younger relatives). My only concern is if primary schools will employ me with a sociology degree. I guess time will tell. Thank you, I already signed up for Train to Teach events and talks, so I look forward to finding out more about teaching.