Elizabeth’s Teaching Page
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Lucia Helena
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How does this page work?
Hi, I’m Elizabeth – welcome to my page. This page has been set up to provide information to anyone who is interested in a career in teaching. If you have a question for me or any of the other teachers on this site then please post a question on the wall. This page has been set up in association with the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) so there are also teaching career advisers available to answer questions about the practical aspects of getting into teaching – such as training routes and financial support.
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Elizabeth Doyle
Created at 07:49 on 16 July 2009
 
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Helium Staffer

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Jenny Barwell

Jenny Barwell Arena Education based in Letchworth Garden City is a recruitment agency just for teachers and teaching staff in the Herts and Beds areas. We are currently looking for a Head of Geography, KS3+ maths teacher, cover supervisors (must be experienced) plus lots more. Please telephone my colleague Nick Harris on 01462 659060 if you are qualified and would like to register. We look forward to helping you.

Nicola Hannibal

Nicola Hannibal
Hi I am on the way to finishing an OU English degree with a view to Secondary Teaching but can't consider a PGCE as the nearest uni to me offering is 30 miles away and I have three small children (7,4 and 3). I have been looking at the prospect of a GTP but don't know how to find a suitable school that would take me o...n and also how far in advance you need to apply - presumably you need to do this for the beginning of an academic year?? Any advice would be great :)Read more

6 hours ago · Report
Mick Harriott
Mick Harriott
Hi Nicola, the GTP is very competative and finding a place can be very difficult. You would be very lucky to get a GTP in a school near you and so would probably have to travel anyway. The PGCE tends to work around normal school hours on a typical day and so maybe you need to think again about your willingness to travel? The PGCE only lasts 9 ... Read moremonths and you have all of the school holidays within that time. If you are determined to go down the GTP route you should start looking and contacting schools immediately.
2 hours ago
Malin Head

Malin Head I would like some information on funding please. I have been a full time mother for the past 10 years and my husband works full time. What funding may I get to do a PGCE in Primary Education and what fee's would I have to pay out? Would I be entitled to any child care funding for a 7 and 10 year old for after school club? Many Thanks!

Lucinda Skailes

Lucinda Skailes I was wondering how much knowledge you are expected to have on teaching and education in the UK/current education issues for a PGCE interview? I would be very grateful for any advice anyone can give on this...Thanks

Yesterday at 12:39 · Report
Mick Harriott
Mick Harriott
Hi Lucinda, you will almost certainly be expected to comment on an educational current topic of interest as part of your interview. The TES is great as is the BBC online education site.
2 hours ago
Malin Head

Malin Head I am applying to do a PGCE in Primary education. I have a degree and PhD in Biology and have teaching experience with undergraduates. Will this be enough to secure a place for me on the course?

Yesterday at 08:58 · Report
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Mick Harriott
Mick Harriott
Hi Malin, take it as whilst you are there you will probably find the teachers really helpfull and even if this is all you do, you will still get a chance to watch the teacher in the classroom.
2 hours ago
Mette

Mette Students under 18 joining facebook and then using it as a forum to upset each other and have public arguments about each other, taking the playground arguments/bullying into a whole new wider forum - what can be done? - Discuss.....

Yesterday at 08:54 · Report
Mick Harriott
Mick Harriott
Hi Mette, this is a particular problem in my form class at the moment and to be honest is a real nightmare. All we can do is keep working at their social skills whilst educating them that cyber bullying is just as bad as all other forms. There is a feeling from some kids that because it is facebook etc it doesn't count! A real problem.
2 hours ago
Elizabeth’s Teaching Page

Elizabeth’s Teaching Page

A Visit from a Student
It was about 8.30. I was in my classroom preparing for the day ahead, when one of the girls from my year 10 top set dropped in looking serious. She had missed a few weeks of school due to an accident that resulted in complications relating to concussion...
Yesterday at 07:24
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Fiona Thompson
Fiona Thompson
I am lucky enough to have taught in both the UK and South Africa.Going back to university to do a post graduate course which will allow me to teach as a qualified teacher called a PGCE.After a year course I will be paid as a newly qualified teacher.Much more than teacher get paid in SA with a teacher pupil ratio of 1:30.Hoping to get a job at a grammar school.These are selective schoools with brighter,better behaved students
Yesterday at 14:11
Laura Hyslop

Laura Hyslop
Hi folks, Im wanting to do the PGCE Business Education next year (been wanting to do it for a while but never been the right time) but hey ho want to go for it now. Im wanting to visit a school/sixth form to get some experience. Unfortunately Ive not had any joy with the emails Ive sent to my local schools and colleges.... Should I wait until Ive done a visit before making my application? Also in the uni prospectus it says your referee should be your former uni tutor, well I graduated some time ago and tbh we didnt get a personal tutor back in the day :) also wanted to ask with the funding/grants for pgce is there any extra if you are studying in central London, as I think they used to do this. Thanks for any advice ppl :)Read more

Yesterday at 00:35 · Report
Geoff Haynes
Geoff Haynes
Hi Laura, have you tried the Open Schools program on the TDA website. This is a list of schools who are available for prospective teachers to visit. Do you know anyone who has children of a secondary school age that could give you a way in. I approached the head of my local secondary school directly, although I had a way in to an extent, as I was a... Read more governor of one of the local primary schools. In terms of references, if you spend a few days at a school, and are able to build a relationship with that school, you may find someone who would be able to give you a reference, to state how you got on at the school. I am not aware of the grants in London being any higher though.
Yesterday at 09:24
Jill Higgins

Jill Higgins Hi all, I am a teacher in the USA and received my teaching certificate in December (I already had a bachelor's degree). If you have questions about teaching in the US, I would be glad to try to answer them!

Sun at 14:48 · Report
Elaine Caruana

Elaine Caruana
I have just completed my NVQ 3 in Child Care Learning & Development, I work in a Pre-School every afternoon and am also a Teaching Assistant every morning at my local school. Have always wanted to teach and am loving what I do at the moment, but would like to furhter my education but not sure which way to go. I also ...have 2 chldren who I don't want to neglect! Any advice you can offer would be appreciated. ThanksRead more

Sun at 12:35 · Report
Lorna Diprose
Lorna Diprose
Hi Elaine, for teaching you would need a degree and relevant GCSEs but your experience as a teaching assistant is of huge benefit. Read Anita's post under here. It's really positive and I think you will find it helpful. Don't forge the tda website either for more info.

Best of luck
Sun at 13:24
Jane
Jane
Hi Elaine, You can find out about Foundation degrees local to you by looking on www.ucas.com or talking to your local college. They work with your TA experience. Then you would need to topup as Anita says to full degree level and add your teacher training. In some cases this final stage can be combined in one course.
Otherwise you could look at a parttime degree to fit around your TA work and children with your local university or with the Open University.
Sun at 14:01
Anita Barclay

Anita Barclay
Great advice on this page - at 43 with 4 young children, I have just started a Foundation Degree for Teaching Assistants at college - it's one afternoon/evening a week from 2 until 8 and although I helped manage a very small private school for 6 years and completed a NVQ 2 and 3 in Teaching Assistants, wanted to streng...then my qualifications. Its hard work, lots of reading and research and plenty of homework but if you have support at home and can spend 2 or 3 hours at the weekend studying, it's quite a good route into teaching. After 2 years, you can top up the degree with a BA Hons and then do the normal PGCE or GTP route. 4 years is a long time for me especially at my age, but I love the primary age children I work with and it's quite a challenge!Read more

Sun at 09:24 · Report
Lorna Diprose
Lorna Diprose
Good for you, Anita. I love hearing about people taking the plunge. Good luck with everything.
Sun at 11:26
Mick Harriott
Mick Harriott
Hi Anita, it took me 7 years and I don't regret one minute of the time I did studying. Go for it you will love it.
57 minutes ago
Vicky

Vicky
Hi all,

I am a single Mum of three all under 10. I really would like to get into teaching Primary age children at key Stage 1. I spend much of my time in this environment being heavily involved with my children's school, so know much of what to expect practically. I have previous study experience (Nurse training), so ma...y have some points to carry over, but no degree. What would be my best option given my circumstances? Childcare would be difficult, as family are not an option. Hoping you have some workable good advice for me.Read more

Sun at 02:27 · Report
Steve Fitzwater
Steve Fitzwater
Hi Vicky. If teaching is something you passionately wish to do, then you need a degree. I know of teachers who completed an OU degree whilst looking after young children. Alternatively, universities offer a lot of support for parents and funding is also available. What I did a few years ago is attend OU open days and went to my local Uni in Nottingham. Both were fantastic and sympathetic to my financial and family constraints. Good Luck
Sun at 04:27
Sophie Goldsmith
Sophie Goldsmith
I did my OU degree whilst looking after my own children and now applying for GTP courses as i do work in a school full time too x
Sun at 13:40
Antonia Kalkavoura

Antonia Kalkavoura Hi Elizazabeth,
I am from Greece and at the moment i am doing my Msc in Specific Learning Difficulties(Dyslexia).For the next year i am hoping to find a job here as a special educational teacher.I have a 2 years experience in a private school in Greece.Do you think that there are real possibilities for me???

Sat at 15:11 · Report
Jane
Jane
Hi Antonia, You may find it possible to find a post in a private school although they are likely to prefer you to have qualified teacher status (QTS). To work in state schools you will need QTS. If you have a degree and qualified as a school teacher qualification in Greece you may be granted QTS without further assessment. You can check this with the general teaching council www.gtce.org.uk Otherwise you will need a further course leading to QTS to work in state schools as a teacher here.
Sun at 03:31
Uma Ganesan

Uma Ganesan I have Postgraduate degree in Computerscience and Engineering and was teaching UNIVERSITY students in India, But to continue teaching here in London they said I need to have a PGCE in Computing I find it expensive and is there any other options to continue my teaching career here..........

Sat at 08:21 · Report
Elizabeth
Elizabeth
I imagine that a university might well employ you, but state secondary schools could not. I believe that private (independent) schools do not always expect PGCE. Have you considered trying to find a GTP course, where you learn on the job? http://www.tda.gov.uk/Recruit/thetrainingprocess/typesofcourse/employmentbased/gtp.aspx
Sat at 08:24