teachers, please help in here...

I think as long as you aren't planning on only teaching in private schools or top comps the reputation of where you train doesn'y matter that much

I actually have an interview for a PGCE course tomorrow (secondary chemistry) and as far as I am aware, the institution who awards you the PGCE shouldn't really have any bearing on future job prospects. It's a very difficult course and pretty much standard at most unis (well the ones I've looked at anyway!). I think your difficulty will be that secondary English is very competitive so there are lots of NQTs at the end of the year who will flood the jobs market.

Have you got any work experience in school?

Thank you both - i'd be looking for something like a peaceful local faith school if i could, or private because i could offer latin and greek - state schools round here don't do it.

i know what you mean about competition. it's tough. i don't have work experience in schools - i've tried to get it but i haven't got in as i only have observation experience (catch 22 career change issue). i have lots of experience in working with young people through running choirs through church and giving singing lessons but it hasn't been enough to swing it so far.

the mortgage issue is ongoing. a lot of the classroom assistant jobs round here are on £11k so i can't apply for them because we couldn't pay the mortgage. i've applied for things on £15k + but they've been very popular and even though i've been interviewed the jobs have always gone to older women with experience.

my mum's a hod and she said at her school mums often come in part time, first as dinner ladies, then classroom assistants, so they're already known to the school. so no chance for people like me.

looking at the places that have vacancies, do you think leeds trinity or sheffield hallam has a better reputation? both would be a pain in the bum to get to, but i may have to take what i can get (if they'll have me) if manchester continues to rebuff my advances.

thanks again

God no. The way it is at the moment if you speak English and have a pulse you could get a job as an English teacher. If you're a trained teacher so much the better. I kid you not.

(Or maybe it just feels that way becuase no-one wants to work at my school!)

I really think at this stage you will just have to take what you can get. I only have observation experience and that is all they realistically expect of you without any training. Get yourself up to date on all the latest education news, TES and the education bit of the BBC are good for that and really focus on how you have work with young people in the past and the kind of relationships you have built up. Good luck with it all!

where are you? can i have a job? i speak english, i promise. ?

Birmingham. Maybe that's the problem?

We can get English teachers - its just that they only last about a month

I can beat that. One of the NQTs we'd appointed for September has pulled out before she's even started.

One of the science NQTs tried to but is now starting on M3 instead of M1. Cheeky cow