Forums
/ Career / Thinking about teaching?

Secondary teaching?!

Last post 29/01/12 at 00:13 by Georgia99, 10 replies
Post started by hope5 on 20/12/11 at 19:09

Rate this topic

All Topics
Select colour:
  • hope5 avatar
    Offline
    1
    Posted by: hope5 20/12/2011 at 19:09
    Reply
    Joined on 07/07/2010
    Posts 2

     

     Hi, Please could someone outline what secondary teaching is really like? I am considering a pgce in history secondary after finding that primary probably isn't for me. Is it really that different? Or is there not much difference. I like the sound of working with an older age group. I'm having such problems trying to find a career that suits me. I am well aware of the difficulties, long hours and stress that comes with primary, and i suspect secondary is no different, but i picture secondary to be a more fulfilling job for me personally.... 

    Many thanks in advance!

  • FollyFairy avatar
    Offline
    2
    Posted by: FollyFairy 23/12/2011 at 09:44
    Reply
    Joined on 08/02/2006
    Posts 534
    hope5:
     Hi, Please could someone outline what secondary teaching is really like?
    It can be the best job in the world... but.. you seem to be already aware of the long hours and stress, however, knowing about it and experiencing it is two totally different scenarios! Your PGCE year will be hard and your NQT year probably harder, then it does get a little easier but there is no let up on marking, prepping, planning, assessing, etc, etc.. Your work-life balance will go out the window - even after 14 years! And then there are the teenagers, who can be delightful, hard working and conscientious or can throw tables at you across the classroom (I have experienced both!) I am, of course, painting a dark picture here of teaching - you may have a fantastic PGCE year and then find yourself in wonderful school/s for the rest of your career... to further find out what secondary school teaching is like can I suggest you read the workplace dilemmas, NQT, job-seekers and unemployed teachers forums... best of luck whatever you decide! xx
  • Stephen_Hillier avatar
    Offline
    3
    Posted by: Stephen_Hillier 13/01/2012 at 15:21
    Reply
    Joined on 07/06/2011
    Posts 217

    hope5:

     

     Hi, Please could someone outline what secondary teaching is really like? I am considering a pgce in history secondary after finding that primary probably isn't for me. Is it really that different? Or is there not much difference. I like the sound of working with an older age group. I'm having such problems trying to find a career that suits me. I am well aware of the difficulties, long hours and stress that comes with primary, and i suspect secondary is no different, but i picture secondary to be a more fulfilling job for me personally.... 

    Many thanks in advance!

    Hi

    It is always difficult when making an important career decision. If you haven't done so already, why don't you spend some time in a secondary school observing history being taught by experienced teachers. This would give you the opportunity to experience first hand the day to day life in a secondary school and would also allow you to discuss your concerns with the history teachers.

    You could also contact the teaching information line on freephone 0800 389 2500 and ask to arrange to speak to a teaching advocate. These are qualified teachers who are able to answer your questions and address any concerns that you may have about entering the teaching profession. They can share their knowledge on topics such as behaviour management, workload management, subject knowledge and the curriculum.

    I wish you good luck whichever route you decide to take.


    Stephen Hillier, TDA
  • Georgia99 avatar
    Offline
    4
    Posted by: Georgia99 20/01/2012 at 12:04
    Reply
    Joined on 06/09/2010
    Posts 535

    My advice probably mirrors others to some extent.

    I am a NQT in secondary, I am in my mid 30s and since I was young felt that teaching was right for me and finally made the plunge to start the PGCE in 2010.

    My best advice is to observe secondary classes but if you can it is best not to sit in on classes with head of departments or well established teachers in the school. This is generally what happens when you go in to observe and isn't representative of what your first few years of teaching will be like! i started my PGCE imagining classes of well behaved students and for most of my placements they were, but when you become a NQT you realise that things are very different in your first year or two as a teacher.

    There are lots of stresses and I would recommend that you read the threads on the NQT forum. But not everyone struggles, some people have a gift for this career. Two of my PGCE colleagues have left teaching already and they were both rated outstanding and sailed through the PGCE. I also know five people from my PGCE who chose not to enter teaching at all. However the qualification is still valuable and you can use it for FE and other training roles.

     
  • lynandal avatar
    Offline
    5
    Posted by: lynandal 20/01/2012 at 16:09
    Reply
    Joined on 10/02/2010
    Posts 3
    Also worth noting that History is one of the most in demand jobs for a teacher, and that History PGCE courses are overbooked in most instances, sometimes with up to 10 applicants for a place (in the UK), worth checking online first with the TES to see if there aer any opportunities in your subject before you sign yourself up to a PGCE.  After April is when most job swill start appearing.
  • Georgia99 avatar
    Offline
    6
    Posted by: Georgia99 22/01/2012 at 00:30
    Reply
    Joined on 06/09/2010
    Posts 535
    Just thought I'd give a typical day for me as a NQT in secondary................................................... 8.30am-Staff briefing in the staff room 8.40-9am-Tutor time/assembly (time to ensure kids are wearing the correct uniform, shirts are tucked in etc..first battle of the day with some students refusing to take piercings out or to do their tie up properly) 9-11am-Teach classes, spend the first 10 mins getting kids to settle, several tend to turn up late, battling with kids who have come in with food/drinks/mobiles and trying to confiscate these according to school rules. During teaching you deal with constant low level disruption-kids chatting while I am, texting under the table/eating crisps when they think I can't see, blatantly ignoring requests for attention and answering back about everything I say. When students are set activities during the lesson I then spend the whole time trying to motivate students to take part instead of staring into space, chatting to friends or if on the computer-playing online games or looking at sites they shouldn't be. If it is one of my difficult classes then they might be a nightmare for a whole hour and ignore any of my requests for attention. 11am-11.20am-Breaktime (on duty once a week, the rest are never taken as a break for me as I am too busy) 11.20am-1.20pm-Lessons again as above. 1.20-2pm-lunch. Usually eating while doing some form of work. 2-3pm-last lesson. 3pm on-sometimes have students for detention, planning lessons, printing resources, marking work, sometimes department meetings or cpd sessions. Generally feeling stressed at this point from the constant confrontation from students all day. (Just realised I am using google chrome so my lovely paragraphs are now going to disappear!)
  • Muttley_in_the_Midlands avatar
    Offline
    7
    Posted by: Muttley_in_the_Midlands 22/01/2012 at 10:43
    Reply
    Joined on 18/01/2012
    Posts 93

    Great post Georgia99.  Good to read something without value judgements and dramatisation followed by dire warnings to the person who asked the original question.  Thankyou, very illuminating.

    I'm also applying for teacher training as a career changer and at the moment I'm in a school which is a very high-achieving boys grammar and I have been told is not really like other schools!
  • ellis_j avatar
    Offline
    8
    Posted by: ellis_j 23/01/2012 at 21:07
    Reply
    Joined on 06/01/2007
    Posts 31

    Hi Muttley, I am also a mid-thirties career changer, I have an interview next month for a SCITT course. I think the best way to know if this is right for you is to spend time in a secondary school. Lots of the posts on here stress the bad points of teaching, pupils behaving badly, long hours etc, but when I went into a school I got a 'feeling' that this was the right move for me, and I loved the bad bits - fair enough I was an observer but I can't wait to get stuck in! You shouldn't be put off until you've seen it and felt it for yourself, and I agree you may need to get out and experience things in other schools!

    As for the hours, I've worked in the private/corporate sector for 15 years, it's very performance driven and I work long, long hours with travel all over the country.....I guess I'm trying to say having to work hard and extra hours isn't exclusive to teaching. As working parents we find ways to manage and juggle!

  • Tatters410 avatar
    Offline
    9
    Posted by: Tatters410 24/01/2012 at 13:31
    Reply
    Joined on 14/07/2009
    Posts 1

    Hi Georgia99. Thanks for the low down on NQT in secondary. It is pretty much as I imagined. The description makes it sound exhausting and suggests that the teaching part of your day is challenging. Can I ask what motivates you to keep going back for five days each week? Do you have any regrets over your career choice?
  • Muttley_in_the_Midlands avatar
    Offline
    10
    Posted by: Muttley_in_the_Midlands 25/01/2012 at 19:22
    Reply
    Joined on 18/01/2012
    Posts 93

    ellis_j:
    As for the hours, I've worked in the private/corporate sector for 15 years, it's very performance driven and I work long, long hours with travel all over the country.....I guess I'm trying to say having to work hard and extra hours isn't exclusive to teaching. As working parents we find ways to manage and juggle

    Quite right.  I don't know any professionals who don't work long hours. 

    I'm hoping I can cope with the childcare aspect of it.  At the moment I am self-employed and so very flexible, so it's easy frankly.
Back to top

Sign up – it’s free!

  • Don’t miss out on the latest jobs
  • Connect and share with friends
  • Download thousands of resources
  • Chat in the forums