Q. I want to work in education but not as a teacher: what are my options?
There are many jobs in education such as classroom assistant, learning mentor; library, museum, art gallery and youth service staff. If you are not sure what you want, it may be a good idea to see someone in the Connexions Service, ring 0161 621 9300 or call in at the Connexions Centre in Phoenix Street, Oldham town centre.
You can find out details of job vacancies in the local press and job descriptions are available from Personnel in the Education and Cultural Services Department.
Q. What qualifications will I need for jobs in education?
It depends on the job. The Connexions Service will help you with this, ring 0161 621 9300, or you can ring Personnel in the Education and Cultural Services Department for details of requirements for specific vacancies. If you want to talk further, you can ring the Qualifications Service on 0161 770 4274.
Q. What qualifications will I need to become a classroom or teaching assistant?
At present no qualifications are required for many posts but this may change in the near future. Courses for those wanting to become classroom assistants but who don't have a job/experience are run by both the Council's Lifelong Learning and by Oldham College.
The Qualifications Service runs an NVQ Level 3 for Classroom Assistants (equivalent to A levels) based on the new national standards. For details or advice ring 0161 770 4274.
Q. How can I find out about becoming a teacher?
Contact the Qualifications Service on 0161 770 4274.
There is also a web site maintained by the Teacher Training Agency www.useyourhead.gov.uk which gives details of everything you need to consider about going into teaching, including a list of training providers.
Q. What do I do if I want to return to teaching and need a refresher course?
Contact the Qualifications Service on 0161 770 4274: we will try to put you in touch with providers of returner courses near you. Alternatively visit www.useyourhead.gov.uk , which will assist you in finding a returner course in your area.
Q. What should I do if I don't have the necessary qualifications to start my teacher training course?
Access courses enable you to gain the qualifications needed for higher education. You find out more from the UCAS website www.ucas.com , or from Learn Direct by ringing 0800 100 900. Many local colleges of Further Education will put on courses of this nature, so ring your local college and see what they have.
Q. I am a teacher from overseas: can I teach in Britain?
Look on the web site at www.useyourhead.gov.uk for full information on teachers from overseas and their eligibility to teach in the UK.
Q. What do my overseas qualifications count for in Britain?
Contact the National Academic Recognition Information Centre on 0870 990 4088 with details of your qualifications and they will tell you what they are equivalent to. There may be a small charge for this service. You may also need to have your qualifications translated into English in some cases, but check first. You can also either visit the NARIC website at www.naric.org.uk or write to NARIC:
National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC),
ECCTIS 2000 Ltd,
Oriel House,
Oriel Road,
Cheltenham
GL50 1XP
Q. Can I work while I am training to become a teacher?
Yes you may be eligible to embark on one of the two work-based routes: the Graduate Teacher and Registered Teacher Programmes. You must have the appropriate experience and maturity and would normally have had experience of working with children. You will have English and Maths GCSE at grade C and will also need science at grade C or above if you were born after 1979. You will need to find a school willing to train you and to apply for funding. Full details of the Graduate Teacher Programme can be obtained from the Teacher Training Agency website www.useyourhead.gov.uk and you can also find details of local Designated Recommending Bodies for this scheme on the same site or by ringing the Qualifications Service on 0161 770 4274.