I completed my PGCE this summer and have experience working with children of all ages with behavioural/ emotional/ learning difficulties from previous employment. I can't find a teaching job, but I can find other social services type jobs which I am suitable for. I really want to work. Should I give up on my wasted year doing the PGCE (thanks for the £6000 Mr Blair, what a waste) or should I hold out for the teaching job I really want?
2006-08-31 08:58:28 · 14 answers · asked by emily_jane2379 5 in Education & Reference ➔ Primary & Secondary Education
I'm a Deputy Head, I recruit teachers and I engage supply staff. My advice would be use the TES paper and website and look through the entire job section (you may find something you like the look of but not in the place you expected to find it), be prepared to move around the country if your personal circumstances allow it and get yourself attached to one or more supply agencies. I would be concerned about employing a teacher who hadn't taught since qualifying (and this can often be solved through supply work - many staff work for more than one agency) but I would be more concerned if a person hadn't worked at all. To me that would show a lack of drive.
I don't know if you've been put off looking at the special education sector but if you're good with SEBD kids then you could gain some very valuable experience. Contrary to popular opinion, experience is only one aspect of a good teacher, I know plenty of NQTs who are good with challenging children and an equal number of experienced ones who are not. If an NQT applied to my school, I would seriously consider the applicant if they could demonstrate ability (demonstration/references), commitment and flair - a bit hard to define but if you've got it we can spot it!
2006-08-31 09:53:39 · answer #1 · answered by whisky5 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The PGCE year wasn't wasted, just take the job which you dislike the least and carry on looking for a teaching job you really want, it'll come in the end. Cheer up and good luck.
2006-08-31 09:07:04 · answer #2 · answered by Lady Penelope 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hold out for a teaching job. In the mean time, do some hometutoring, it pays well. You can join an agency or put an ad in locally. Highlight that you are qualified and you are also CRB checked. Do a google search, it will come up with loads of agencies.
This way you can drop it quickly when you get a job and also, it is in line with what you want to do full-time. Don't get sidetracked because you could end up doing it and not following your dream.
2006-08-31 10:57:37 · answer #3 · answered by 675 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hold tight...you'll regret it in the future otherwise...and its probably worth taking a financial hit right not because it will pay off eventually.
Maybe look at teaching opportunities abroad? A familiy member of mine is a teacher and went to a National Union of Teachers job fair in London and got a really good job in the Channel Islands - its only a 20 minute flight from Southampton, and the money is a lot better.
2006-08-31 09:06:49 · answer #4 · answered by Matt 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
Have you thought about joining an educational agency as a stop gap?
It wouldn't hurt to gain the experience in various settings as long as your confident enough to work on a supply teacher basis.
It's also a great way to network, people don't forget good temps and will almost certainly point you in the direction of vacancies as they come up. Reed are particularly good imo depending on there been one that covers your area http://www.reed.co.uk/education/ (there's a supply teachers link on that page).
It also means you can instruct any agency you join with to look out for permanent jobs for you as well. It saves a bit of work for you!
If you don't fancy that, I would second the stop gap job option, again maybe using an agency so you have no notice tie-ins should your ideal job come up.
Good luck in whatever happens though!
2006-08-31 09:17:04 · answer #5 · answered by twistie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi- It really all depends on your situation...if you are single and have only you to worry about I would hold out for the job you want... getting a pub job or something that you can quit quickly to supplement your income...also you can work as a supply teacher. This will help by getting you into the schools, meeting the head teachers and talk to them directly letting them know you are looking as work.
When I was looking for a job teaching, I put together my CV and visited schools I wanted to teach at. I would ask to meet the head teacher and talk to him/her letting them know what I was looking for, my experience, when I'm available, etc. I gave my CV. Also a nice touch is to place your photo on your CV (passport size, upper left corner) so they can remember you better. Good luck.
2006-08-31 09:17:25 · answer #6 · answered by Josie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a stop-gap job where you will be able to apply for your preferred line of work. Something that doesn't take up all your time and you don't have someone breathing down your neck and watching what you are doing.
Whatever you do though, don't let yourself relax until you get the job you want.
2006-08-31 09:06:53 · answer #7 · answered by xenobyte72 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start with the jobs available, then keep looking for the teaching job and make the switch. Best of luck.
2006-08-31 09:03:28 · answer #8 · answered by ayanagin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a job for now at least that way you can be earning some money but keep an eye for teaching jobs at the same time. there can't be much harm in doing that can there ?
2006-08-31 09:06:32 · answer #9 · answered by missree 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you could maybe look for a classroom assistant job.
i know it's not what you would hope for just now, but it would show prospective employers that you have drive and it would give you valuable classroom/teaching experience.
also, it's a foot in the door if any vacancies come up :o)
2006-08-31 11:10:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋