can anyone explain about PGCE programmes?

Question

I am thinking about doing that teaching thing. I'm from Ireland and have just finished a degree in Forensic Science, am now thinking about doing primary teaching-a PGCE course, which would only be one year, but on a website, I found that you need a QTS as well-I don't know what this is. Is this another course that I'd have to do. Is there much employment for people with PGCEs?

Answer 1

you will find it difficult to get onto a primary pgce course,unless you work/have worked in primary schools, and have a relevant degree subject-they prefer english,maths and science so the science degree you have would be acceptable. i would not recommend a web-based pgce course at all.
my pgce (secondary) course had QTS (qualified teacher status) built in so the university recommends you for it at the end of your pgce. the NQT year (newly qualified teacher) is the first year 'on the job', and at the end you are considered a fully fledged teacher.
without QTS, you cannot command the same salary scale as those with QTS, and are not considered as employable.
consider doing a secondary pgce, then you can always move onto primary later

Answer 2

QTS stands for Qualified Teacher Status. It is not a seperate course to the PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education). The PGCE is the course which leads to being a qualified teacher - QTS. You have to complete your one-year PGCE course and then you become an NQT (Newly Qualified Teacher). You apply for your first teachng job and during your first year you are assigned a mentor who is one of your colleagues at school. They assess your progress according to various criteria and having successfully completed that year you become a qualified teacher - ie you are awarded QTS. You will have no trouble at all finding employment once you have a PGCE - the 'probationary' year is little more than a formality.

Answer 3

Most post grad cert eds will lead you to be an NQT, newly qualified teacher, you then do a year at the job under assesment and you are a fully fledged teacher.
Most PGCE courses give you cert ed, but a lot of other teacher traing only give QTS and not Cert Ed as well.
you will find primary educationn hard to get into as it is very popular, your science background will be a great help but get as much classroom experience as a TA or helper between now and the sart date of the course

Answer 4

Qualified Teacher Status - most PGCE courses will enable you to do the additional qualification needed to teach in school, but your disipline is probably going to be the biggest barrier to primary school teaching. You should find it easy to get in on general science and maths, though, as there is a desperate shortage for those areas.