Anyone retrained as a teacher after DC and how was it? (Scotland and Primary teaching)

[sweetkitty]

Ive always wanted to be a primary teacher but kind of got distracted along the way and ended up with a Science degree, was going to do the post grad then but was so skint got a job instead, after my first DC I had an interview for Jordanhill but turned it down as my life was in chaos at that point.

Fast forward a few years and I still want to retrain. I have 4 DC youngest is 3 oldest 9. I plan to help out in a school a day a week this year and find out about evening courses so I can start learning about CofE etc. ideally I would start the PGDE when DS starts school so in 2 years

I know the course is very difficult to get into and there's no jobs at the end of your probation year.

Has anyone done it though. Is it doable.

What's the hours like? The actually hours your in uni/classrooms, obviously I know hours will be needed studying at home?

I would need childcare for 4DCs, DH works long hours 6-6 5 days a week. But potentially could work at home 1-2 days a week so could do the school run.

I would love to do nursery teaching but that's a 2 year course and for minimum wage at the end of it. I know money's not everything but a longer course for less money at the end doesn't make sense does it?

Thanks in advance

[SuperLoudPoppingAction]

Bump for entirely selfish reasons.

[Lollypop1983]

I trained as a primary teacher 3 years ago.....still not got a permanent job. At the time, I didn't have any children. The hardest time was on placement as all lesson planning, resource making etc had to be done in own time. However, there were people on my course who had families, and coped. A lot of teachers who were on my course are either on supply lists, or have gone abroad. Hopefully things will free up soon. I intend to go back to teaching, just had a little boy so want to wit til he's a bit older. Hopefully by that time, there will be more jobs.

[SuperLoudPoppingAction]

Thanks. Was that in Scotland?

[Lollypop1983]

Yeah, UWS. That was first year of CfE. We were told to expect to be in 9-5 when it on placement. Really, if u work 9-5 5 days, u shouldn't need to spend too much more time on essays and resources etc. if ur well organised, it is doable.

[SuperLoudPoppingAction]

Thanks very much.

[lahayne]

It's so tricky finding work that fits in with the kids, it might be worth having a look at the kid of teaching jobs out there to help you with your decision? If you go on www.eteach.com it's really easy to search teaching and non-teaching school jobs with nursery and TA roles too. Maybe it will help you see what's out there? Good luck.

[ReallyLoveWine]

Sweetkitty I am thinking of doing exactly the same thing. DD starts school this year and DS next year, so it seems like the right time to be thinking about retraining as cant face going back to old job. Have you managed to get placement in school to help out and get experience? I am concerned that the course has a reputuation of being impossible to get into. What if after a year or two or work experience I still can't get in? But nothing ventured, nothing gained, I guess. Good luck!!