retired_tripaige

Once I have completed my PCGE, how easy would it be to switch between primary and secondary teaching and vise versa?

retired_navy0614

Secondary - primary I imagine would be easier due to the dearth of Primary chaps. However, Primary is very generic (and simple of course) so doesn't require anything near the subject knowledge that a secondary teaching job requires. It's a whole different kettle of fish really...it'd be feasible for a school to agree to train you up when you crossed over and for you to do that on the job, part-time...but I just don't know if they would go for that.

I know it's pretty easy to transfer to and fro from Secondary - FE, but I'd have reservations about the ease with which you'd be able to do Primary - Secondary.

Gav's a <STRIKE>kiddy fiddler</STRIKE> primary teacher, he'd be able to tell you about the pros and cons of that particular strand .

Oh, someone mentioned about earning the respect of students who are only a few years younger than you...it's ******** tbh. As long as you're in there at the start of the school year, and you can "teach", you'll pretty quickly earn their respect - earning it is the same for any teacher really, regardless of age. The kids are also crap at telling age - you may be only 22, but they'll just think mid to late 20s .

retired_BrownVanilla

Don't know too much concerning qualifiations etc when it comes to teaching, however as for chhosing between primary/secondary it pretty much depends on what your are more/less tolerant of.

If you want to just be doing simple things and basically just be telling kids do this, do that, then as long as you can put up with the days when the kids are hyper and off task then you should be OK in a primary.

However, if you want to be in an enviroment where you will be doing more practical, hands on stuff, and have more stimulating interactions, and for the kids to challenge the way you/other people do things(not always in a bad way as it can help you improve your teaching methods and help them improve in class skills by helping both of you understand what you may be doing right/wrong) whilst being prepared for the odd disruptive **** then you should be OK in a Secondary.

And forget about the comments about the difficulty in gaining respect, being a secondary pupil at the moment, I can see that the teachers who are confident, teach well and discipline fairly have the respect of the students.

retired_tripaige

I'm beginning to think that primary would be much more rewarding than secondary. I may be wrong though. Thoughts?

Here's my two train of thoughts:

Teaching ICT in a middle / secondary school. Firstly, I'd imagine that my degree would allow me to teach this. Secondly, there is a £9,000 non-repayable bursary (although £3,000 is to be paid in tuition fees) and a £2,500 'golden hello' after my first complete year of teaching. On the downside, I know that I, for one, didn't respect my ICT teacher, it was a joke, everybody treated it as such and tbh, it was a bit of a dos.

Teaching primary. I think this would be more rewarding. Seeing the kids learn and mature, with the actual sense that you're making a difference on their lives. I know this is what I enjoyed most about my placement over the summer (5-12 year olds). Unfortunately, the initial financial benefits for going into primary aren't as good. A £4,000 bursary (£3,000 to be paid in tuition fees) and no 'golden hello'.

I know I should look long term and not necessarily be swayed by the initial monetary benefits, but the incentives for ICT are really quite good. Job satisfaction is probably worth more than the difference in the financial benefits. I'm still undecided though.

retired_amadhani

nah its not, they will timetable you for other things aswell, like BCS if you are light on your timetable and you will be one of maybe 2 or 3 staff who teach it in the entire school.

retired_hvporter

Burn in hell, Zaitsev

I will gather some thoughts for you Matt. Where are you based right now, though?

retired_navy0614

I'd never teach in secondary in a million years. As far as the "state" system goes, it was basically FE or nothing. Ruled out the Primary myself personally as I actually want to teach my subject.

Even then, I'm aiming to escape FE and go further up my own arse at a university

retired_navy0614

Burn in hell, Zaitsev

</BLOCKQUOTE>

Too easy.

retired_navy0614

nah its not, they will timetable you for other things aswell, like BCS if you are light on your timetable and you will be one of maybe 2 or 3 staff who teach it in the entire school. </BLOCKQUOTE>

General Studies, Tutorial, Key Skills (almost definately) generic subjects like teaching GCSE Humanities... all come to mind.

Heads of Depts do not a light timetable like .

retired_lbherrera

Just started 6th form , and I can tell you I look fondly upon all of my primary school teachers basically. I much preffered them to secondary school teachers who are a lot harsher and don't feel as knowing about you having to teach a lot more classes.

Go with primary if only for the long term satisfaction :thup: