another teaching question

[winterbadger]

One of the options I'm considering is taking a postgraduate diploma in education in Scotland so as to teach at the secondary level; are there particular universities that community members would recommend for this program? ones to avoid?

Comments

[silme.livejournal.com]

I only know how it's done in England, so I'm wondering -- do you have to get the post-graduate diploma (PGCE down south) or is there something like the GTP programme set up for university graduates so that you can teach and earn some money whilst you're earning your qualifications?

[winterbadger]

You have to do the PDGE program (on site or distance learning/part time); the only other option (at least according to 'Teach in Scotland') is to do a B Ed degree or combined undergraduate degree. Which is fine by me; I would want the grounding of a postgraduate program (however limited) before trying to teach. And that's with half a lifetime of immersion in the secondary school teaching community.

[silme.livejournal.com]

Ah, okay. I just refused to do a PGCE as I'd been teaching for 19 years already, did teacher training back in '82-'82 in Colorado and had an MA in Education; it seemed redundant. :) (Luckily, I didn't have to as I made it through on the Overseas Trained Teaching programme, which was mostly jumping through a lot of hoops.)

I wonder if Scotland's not as desperate for teachers as England and Wales. I do know they pay better in Scotland!

[winterbadger]

They sound to be pretty interested in teachers, I think they just have a very high standard. Also, I've only been looking at routes for people who are changing careers, not for people who already have excellent teaching credentials.

OK, I looked up the "already teaching" section, and it looks as if people who are already professional teachers may need only to get accredited through a national body and they are good to go.

And, yes, pay rates are quite reasonable for the UK. Current salaries listed are between £20,400 and £32,500 depending on experience and seniority.

Currently the shortage occupations list from the Border & Immigration Agency includes "teachers – All posts in England and Scotland covering compulsory schooling".

[pisica.livejournal.com]

I recommend Edinburgh.

But then, I would. :)

[winterbadger]

Edinburgh has a lot to recommend it! :-)

[winterbadger]

Well, one factoid I didn't have before is this:

"There are six HEIs offering postgraduate ITE in Scotland. These are the University of Aberdeen, University of Dundee, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, University of Paisley [now the University of the West of Scotland] and University of Strathclyde."

Not all of these have programs in history (probably the only field I could qualify in, though I might be able to make English), so that narrows it down further.

[verdandiweaves.livejournal.com]

`i haven't heard anything negative about any of these. I do remember people talking about where you ended up in Scotland being offered teaching practise and later a job being a lottery.

[winterbadger]

They do have a somewhat attractive option where if you agree to go wherever you're needed, they give you a £6,000 bonus.

I'm not sure if that's enough to make a year in East Kilbride worthwhile...

[verdandiweaves.livejournal.com]

Schools vary enormously across Scotland. You might also want to think about teaching in the private sector - if that's not against your ethos. (I'm thinking they might actively want to recruit teachers with unusual experience and international backgrounds. I'm not sure but I also think you don't _have_ to hold the same qualifications as in the state system.)

[winterbadger]

I don't have a bias against it--it's what most of my family have done for a couple of generations (my dad, my uncle, and two cousins :-). The opportunities are more limited, though, at least here in the US: fewer positions and lower salaries.

I need to look over my transcript and see if I have enough hours as an undergraduate to get certified in English as well as history and social studies. Pity I didn't study maths--three are ALWAYS more positions for maths teachers.

[flaaa-blah.livejournal.com]

Hello, I wondered whether (if I added you) you'd add me? I sort of randomly stumbled across this journal (literally, because I'm fairly sure we don't have a massive bunch of interests in common), but you seem like an interesting sort. Um, yes.

*scuttles away*

[winterbadger]

Thanks, but I'm afraid not. No offense intended, but I don't think we have much in common.