Can I Retrain as a Physics Teacher Near Derby?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the possibility of retraining as a physics teacher near Derby, England, focusing on the necessary qualifications, pathways to teaching, and the challenges of balancing work and study. Participants explore options for obtaining a degree and teaching qualifications, including part-time study and financial considerations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a strong desire to teach GCSE and A level physics and seeks advice on how to balance work while completing a degree.
  • Another participant notes that a PGCE cannot be pursued part-time due to classroom requirements and suggests considering a Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) as an alternative.
  • Some participants discuss the possibility of taking a low-paid assistant teaching role while saving for further education.
  • There is mention of a bursary available for physics teachers due to a shortage in the field, which could help with financial support during training.
  • One participant highlights the lack of understanding regarding the shortage of physics teachers, emphasizing the subject's appeal and the need for better teaching methods.
  • Clarification is provided that without a degree, one cannot teach A level physics, and that a full three-year teaching course or a BEd is necessary for teaching qualifications.
  • Another participant questions whether a BEd allows teaching physics at GCSE level without a BSc in physics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the necessity of obtaining a degree and the challenges associated with retraining, but there are differing views on the pathways available and the requirements for teaching qualifications. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of teaching qualifications and the best approach to retraining.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various pathways to teaching, including the need for classroom experience and the implications of financial support. There are limitations in understanding the specific requirements for teaching physics at different levels, and the discussion reflects uncertainty about the best course of action.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in retraining as physics teachers, those exploring teaching qualifications, and anyone considering balancing work with further education in the field of physics.

EMFsmith
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Heyup everyone,

Ive been looking into retraining as a teacher, GCSE and possibly A level physics is the level I would love to teach at.

Ive been told I would be great at this as I really like to get people excited about learning and really try to engage people at whatever level makes them feel comfortable, I've always wanted to teach but life has led me on a different path so far.

But I am 23! I have plenty of time and plenty of entheusiasm to achieve this! There's only 1 thing in my way right now and that's work. I need to work to live (Aint life a B**ch), so I need to find some way of completing a Degree around this.

My main point is, is this possible, and if so does anyone know of a university near me that could provide this (Near me being within 30 Miles of Derby, England)?

This is a lifetime ambition for me, and now I have matured (People who know me would die with laughter at hearing this, but I am talking academically here) I want to really go for this and try to give some of the inspiration I lost out on as a child.

Any help would be greatly appreciated here folks.
 
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A teaching qualification (PGCE) isn't something you can go part time as far as I'm aware, as you've got to spend time in a classroom and uni. It's unpaid, and will cost you.

An option for you to look into is a GTP (graguate teacher programme), which is more 'learning on the job', you do get paid as far as I'm aware but you are also unlikely to get on a course unless you have already got some experience, a classroom assistant sort of thing.


If it's really what you want to do, save up, jack your job in and go for it.
 
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Yeah the teaching side of things (after a qualification in physics), I would be more than happy to take a low paid assistant teachers role or something like that, I could save between now and then to allow for this, it was more the degree side of things I was wondering about, If this could be achieved through part time study.
 
As there's a massive shortage of physics teachers, you can get a 9 grand bursary on top of some other student finance, for what that's worth. Have a look around http://www.tda.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/subject-information-enhancement/teach-physics/funding-pay-benefits.aspx for the money side of things and http://search.gttr.ac.uk/cgi-bin/hs.../gttr_search.hjx;start=gttr_search.HsForm.run to have a look for courses that might suit you.
 
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Thanks Muppet, I've already been looking at the tda website, I haven't seen the other one before though.
I don't hold a degree right now so really I think the only way for me to achieve my goal is to save up, then bite the bullet and jack my job.
I honestly can't understand the shortage in england, physics is THE most interesting and mind blowing subject children take at school, but somehow teachers aren't getting this across! I know mine certainly didn't and I want to do my bit to sort this out!
 
If you've not got a degree in anything, then I'm afraid you are a bit out of luck wanting to teach A level. PGCE and GTP are degree conversions.

So it'll be a full 3 year teaching course, a BEd.
 
Yeah sorry I realized I wasn't very clear with my first post, I was on about doing degree first THEN teacher training, but does a BEd allow you to teach physics at GCSE level without a Bsc in physics?
 
No need to answer that one, found everything I need to know on the tda website, cheers chris

"Course content may vary according to the university or college providing it, but all BEd graduates receive qualified teacher status (QTS) in addition to their degree."
 

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