I want to become a primary school teacher in Scotland?

Question

No place on PGDE course due to high standard on basic qualifications, is there another way really keen for this career change. Is there a practice based course in Scotland?

I am considering auxilary position/childcare certificate. Refusal letter was a basic addressed to apparently 400 unsuccessful candidates who weren't short listed for interview!
Would be a mature student, therefore 0 grades are already more or less obsolete, degree was part time so not an honours as is their preference. Thanks for advice

Answer 1

You really need to either augment your basic qualifications or consider applying to the other Scottish universities (if you didn't already) and moving house if necessary for a year or two (taking in your year on the Teacher Induction Scheme if you are eligible for it) to see if they will accept you onto your course. I think all except Stirling offer the PGDE Primary course (and there are plans for them to start offering that too in the near future, if it hasn't happened already).

The University of Aberdeen run a part-time distance learning PGDE Primary course - perhaps it's also worth you loking into this? As it's part-time, you do have to study for 2 years, but it does mean you can work at the same time.

It helps if you can also show your commitment to training for the profession. So, for example, as you have already mentioned, work as an auxiliary or a Learning Support Assistant can be advantageous as it marks out your application. If basic qualifications are letting you down, you need to either improve them (by retaking the relevant ones) or by proving your commitment, interest and ability in other ways such as is mentioned above.

Above all, though, you must ask for detailed feedback from the course leader for the course for which your application was unsuccessful. If your basic qualifications basically aren't high enough, you need to know, otherwise you could waste a year waiting. Ask them what they recommend you would need to do to stand a better chance of a place on the course next time.

Answer 2

If you are looking at PGCE courses you must have a degree already. That isn't the only way to go. Why not apply direct to somewhere like Jordanhill/Strathclyde. If you don't have enough qualifications for that several FE colleges do access courses. The auxilliary suggestion isn't a bad one by the way.

Answer 3

???? Have you tried applying for auxillary position? Does not increase your academic qualifications, but will help your cv to show the depth of interest you have in the work