I’ve been stuck in a job I no longer enjoy and after some thought, I’ve decided to look into become a teacher. I would like to teach Maths or Science in Secondary schools in the Midlands.
I have a degree in Computing (2:1) and I would like to go down the Graduate Training Programme route (GTP).
I’ve heard that there is a lot of competition for these positions? Is this true? How severe is the competition? As in, would I be facing more competition applying for GTP than I would say a software developers role?
I understand to gain a GTP role, I must send “letters of application” to the schools in which I would like to teach. Can anyone offer me some advice as to what to put in the application letter. I tried to make a start on it, but it’s so hard to know what to say and how much to write. Does anyone have a template/example I could use?
Once qualified, what do you reckon my salary would be? (outer london).
If there is a Teacher out there who could offer me some advice and share first-hand experiences with me, I would much appreciate it..
I'm sure the teachers could advise better but having looked into it myself...
If you want to teach maths or physics, I doubt you'd have a problem, there is a severe shortage of teachers. However, given employment prospects, many recent graduates are turning to teaching.
I also think not all schools offer GTP, especially if you want to be paid:
"Your school will pay you on an unqualified or qualified teacher’s salary (anywhere from £15,461 depending on your responsibilities, experience and location). The TDA may pay the school up to £14,000 to help meet your employment costs as well as a training grant of up to £4,920 depending on the teaching subject and length of programme."
Best thing is to give it a go regardless of the possible competition..
I'm kind of kicking myself now as I looked into Teaching after I graduated but for some reason or another (probably the fact that I was offered a job with a decent salary before I even graduated) I didn't pursue it. Now, I wish I had...
The only thing that I am in two minds about is the pay. At the moment I can't afford a drop in salary, the lowest I could drop to would be £23k p/a and even then I would have to make my Husband work 7 days to make up the deficit, lol.. (he's self-employed)..
I would recommend a PGCE route. GTP is tricky if you are not already working in a school as a T.A or LSA. They very rarely take on new unknown GTP students. However, as you want to apply to secondary schools, it may be different.
I suggest you call the TDA. They can help answer any questions about anything. I love the TDA.
Pay for GTP is a lot less than £23K, its more like £14/15K and that is up to the school discretion.
There is a huge demand for maths and physics teachers, however thats not to say its easier to get onto a GTP for these subjects. My aunt has just comleted her 2 year part time PGCE and the promised ‘Golden Handshake’ - taxed! (gits!)
I have examples of application letters, but mainly my own personal ones. I have applied and sucessfully managed to gain entry onto 2 PGCE courses and very nearly onto a GTP course, however the head teacher of that school forgot to send in my application form!
I think there is still a great amount of competition for GTP courses, everyone is turning to teaching given the current job situation. However, this shouldnt stop you from applying.
It sounds a little daft, but people in the profession can tell ‘those who can’ apart from ’ those who have nothing else to do’
I think there is another route…its called Teach First. I think its aimed at professionals teaching in challenging schools across the country. I know a couple of people who have gone down this route and have absolutely loved it.
TeachFirst applications for 2010 are open but the start date is a year from now: Teach First: Register
I know about 5 people who applied for this it year, only one got a place. It’s notoriously hard to get into - all the graduates with firsts from the top universities are clamoring to get a place.
I agree with Milly though, my preference would be the PGCE. A few weeks ago there were still places for maths and science in some universities.
But yea, as you said, that would require a year of earning very little.
GTP is less of a drop in salary.
Also, one thing I’m not clear on, when you’ve finished with GTP are you a fully qualified teacher and earning a full salary?
Because with the PGCE, don’t you have to do one year of NQT and therefore less pay?
Once you have finished a GTP you are still an NQT. It just means you have newly qualified status and have to pass that year. Its very difficult to fail the NQT year.
An NQT is cheaper to employ than a QT but not by a great deal.
Teacher salary rises every year. Not a huge amount though, unless you get to senior management team very quickly. Even then its not a huge amount.
Its different for secondary though, I think they get paid more. However I helped my aunt with her contract and shes getting just as much as I did when I did my NQT last year.
Thanks for all the advice girls.. I think I may pursue both avenues and see which one comes to fruition..
If I get a place on a PGCE course, will I have to pay tuition fees? Would I be able to get a grant/bursary towards my fees?
Because my Degree was in Computing and I want to teach Maths, would I need to take on an additional course to get my Maths "up to speed"?
I have a school in mind that I would like to complete my GTP in, should I write to the school directly or go through a "GTP provider" (who are they and what do they do exactly)..
What would be the normal process for applying for a GTP..?
TeachFirst sounds great, but the nearest school for me is too far away.. The commute alone would take 40 mins-1hr and I have two little ones to look after..
Commuting whilst studying is to expected im afraid. My aunt used to travel over an hour to her placement school and she had 3 little ones. The university didnt really care.
Fees for the PGCE are £3070 (if same as last year)
Not too sure about the top up maths course, but i do remember hearing something about universities offering them for people who hav already been accpeted onto a PGCE, they are like booster courses.
GTP providers are universities. I applied for a GTP in 2006, I was already working as an LSA in a school, and had the school send an applicatipn on my behalf. However, I do remember the university saying that if they were to come across an exceptional application they would consider taking them on without a school based application and then find them a school. However, this is all subject to the university I applied to.
You really need to call the TDA, local universities and local high schools. They will be able to answer all your queries properly.
if you are considering teaching maths or computing you are likely to be snapped up. i would advise talking to schools you are interested in directly - the worst that can happen is they would say no.
the benefits of a PGCE is you would have experience of differnet schools. things may have changed but i would imagine you would be funded to teach in shortage subjects.
Many of the practical answers you are looking for should be available from websites such as for GTP. another source of sound advice is the TES website or teachers net.
If you had a high maths content in your degree your maths is probably up to scratch but teaching it requires lots of additional skills so prepare all lessons really thoroughly. i use to practice my lessons on my 6 year old before i taught the 12 year old - worked like a charm and for a while my 6 year old was like a genius.
Teaching is really really hard work - there is a reason for having half terms you need them! - but it is also very very rewarding.