I completed my NQT year in December and I am seriously contemplating transferring to primary teaching. I have contacted local education authorities about conversion courses, but to no avail. Does anyone know of any local education authorities in the North West, or universities that run a course that will give me an insightadded qualification in converting to primary teaching? I do have experience of working teaching some lessons in primary schools, but I feel a course would benefit me further.
At this time, when there is a surplus of trained primary teachers, especially in the North West, there is no incentive to provide conversion courses for secondary teachers to re-train. I am sure that a course would benefit you. One avenue is to consider professional development activities that bring together primary and secondary teachers, and see what you can learn from them. You might also ask whether you can spend more time observing in a primary school. Does your school have a staff member responsible for primary-secondary transfer? This role can often help bring people in contact with primary classrooms. All these moves will help you decide whether such a career move is a sensible one, or just based on a desire to leave secondary schools.
If you have a question for John Howson, please email susan.young@tes.co.uk
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