Moving from HE to FE teaching Health and social care - advice?

[Rarily]

I'm a nurse with a science degree, and have worked in the HE sector for 13 years, have also gained my phd. Morale, organisation etc at the uni I worked for means that I have decided not to return to work there (after a break). I qualified as an FE teacher many years ago, and have considered going into FE. Although I am qualified to teach biology, from experience I know it is unlikely that I would be employed as a biology teacher (this would be my first choice), but I would fit for health and social care. I love teaching, being in the classroom, interacting with students etc, but am concerned that health and social care at btec diploma level could be very heavy going on the marking side, and also that I would miss more academic teaching. Any experiences out there?

[sanfairyanne]

are the salaries comparable? pension schemes transferable?
i have always found HE to be a bubble where everyone thinks they are hard done by - FE is the real cinderella of the education world - that is real 'hard done by'
thats just my experience in my field but i would always go HE over FE
be interesting to read other replies from people who moved that way. everyone i know went FE to HE and breathed a big sigh of relief

[Rarily]

Yes sanfairyanne I found FE to be underfunded and low morale twenty years ago (can't believe I'm that old!!) I'm used to teachers complaining in all sectors. Its the teaching emphasis I'm interested in. Term time working appeals too..... In schools of nursing there is no down time except Christmas.

[morethanpotatoprints]

Where we live Health and social care is the subject along with travel and tourism where the students with difficulties seem to be encouraged. For example, many of mine came into the classroom with no GCSE's and issues of difficult behaviour, not surprising as the education system had failed them completely. Obvious it is different from area to area, but it does seem a trait of these courses.
FE is not for the faint hearted and I only lasted a year after qualifying.
Unless you are lucky and the college need a full time position filled, the pay is usually per hour and only contact with students.
As it isn't often salaried you aren't getting paid to plan, create resources, parents evenings, opendays and interviews. If you are paid its usually far less than the hourly teaching pay.
If I were you OP I would definitely stay in HE with far better conditions and prospects.

[sanfairyanne]

what about gcse/a level in schools or sixth forms?

[Rarily]

Thanks all, yes morethanpotatoprints I was employed that way in the past, and taught some foundation level H and Social care, with struggling students and a failing education system for them. The post I've looked into is a full time one and seems to be mainly teaching the 2 year diploma (equivalent to two a' levels)

[sashh]

The 2 year diploma is equivalent to 3 A Levels.

A lot depends on the college you work at.

IMHE students seem to be getting more whiny by the year, if they don't get a pass they will go to your manager and complain about yes, how that is handled depends on your manager eg a student who copied 8 pages of the text book complained because I refused to mark it as it wasn't her work, I was backed up by my manager. In another college a student complained that I had 'changed a pss to a fail' - I hadn't, the teacher I was covering for had verbally told a student their work was a pass but had not actually marked it, this time my manager took the student's word as gospel and, well I'm glad I'm no longer working there

I am really glad BTEC have brought in an exam - students cannot blame me for that.

Getting work out of students can be a nightmare, students with uni places who need results by tomorrow still not handing in work from 6 months age and will probably upload it today and complain if it is not marked.

Having said all that I love teaching the subject.

[Rarily]

Thanks sash - some of these problems I've shared in HE but I can imagine that it is harder in FE. Your comments will help me ask questions should I go for an application.

[Purplevicki]

Do it!

A&P is not just restricted to H&SC. Sport, public services and hair/beauty.

Also - there are the access courses. We always struggle to recruit people with a nursing/ biology background.

[Purplevicki]

Forgot to add that the BTEC L3 courses are going NQF year after next which should stop the late hand in dates! On time or 'non achievement' of that unit - game on!

[PuddingandPie1]

Thinking of moving into FE - don't bother. The entire sector is grossly underfunded and has been for years.

[Rarily]

Thanks for the replies purplevicki and puddingandpie1