In coming here, I did take a pay cut equivalent to about $4,000 per year. However, this whole adventure never was about the money for me (although getting paid enough to be able to live was essential). Instead I was in it for the experience of a life time.
While the job is definately more challenging here than what I was use to in the States and I do find myself being homesick off and on, I've found huge rewards in working here as well. So I've decided to stay for some time...don't know how long. But since I'm staying, I might as well get paid appropriately for my efforts (and I currently think I'll be here longer than 4 years as well), so I'm pursuing QTS.
Because of my background experience, my school has entered me for QTS without induction. Once I receive that (Goal is some time early January...it's all up to the University now), I will be earning significantly more than I was at my previous school in the States. I had been at that school for 9 years and have a Master's degree...that's after only 1 year and a part here.
Beyond straight pay, the government here often offers perks to qualified teachers such as deals on loans and often "key worker housing" at reduced rates...not that I'd particularly want to live in any sort of council housing scheme.
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Anyway, I took the final Skills Test last Monday (ICT) and it was dead easy. It was things like reading emails, opening attachments, adding attachments, sending emails, working with excel-style spread sheets, editted text documents, editting existing power point presentations, ...etc. I do suggest the practice tests since they'll have you working on a simulated desk top so some of the opperating procedures are a bit "funky." Also, some of the opperating short cuts that we are all used to using don't work in the fake desk top format. Oh, and one more thing: you can copy and paste on the practice tests, but NOT on the real test so you will need paper and pencil to write down extact phrases and number sequences. These will be provided by the testing centre, but you may need to ask for them.
Good luck to everyone considering QTS. |
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Meli,
Thank you very much for keeping us updated on the process of going through QTS, I always find all the information a bit overwhelming when the person in charge of the OTT's starts talking about it. My school hasn't pressured me into QTS, but I know a few other OTT's have felt that they HAD to do it in order to be considered for a position next year. I think that I may begin the QTS process during the last term once I am feeling more settled and rested after the very short winter term!
Quick question, how do you feel about the observations that they do of you? Are they really strict about what you've done, or do you feel like they are there to see the best in you and give a bit of advice for improvement? (The observations are really what are holding me back from applying for QTS as I get extremely nervous when someone is observing me and never feel like myself.) |
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Hi Jess,
Had the first QTS observations. These were not for assessment, but to determine whether I was ready for assessment. Basically the lady was just looking for evidence that I was meeting the standards. It was extremely easy. There were no negative comments in the observation eventhough several kids misbehaved terribly...a couple needed to had to be sent to a remove room...one had to be walked there.
I guess its a case of different universities follow different proceedures because as I told you the other teacher in my school only had the one observation, didn't need to put together a portfolio, and then all was over. My final assessment has been set for mid-January (with luck) as my assessor has had a streak of serious illness and a death and so has been off a lot. Fingers crossed that it is sooner rather than later because my pay apparently goes up as soon as I've passed the final assessment.
;-)
Meli |
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Ok finally...
I had my final assessment last week on Tuesday.
I had to request cover for all classes except for two: 1 KS3 class (year 8s) and 1 KS4 class (year 11s). This was a requirement.
I met with and had tea with the assessor first thing in the morning for some casual chat and to go over the day's schedule. At this time, I provided him with my portfolio.
He observed my year 11 class which happened to be 1st period. Then we met and talked about it briefly...about 20 mins. He really was interrested in how I felt it went...what was good about it and what needed improvement/how I would approach it in the future. He took notes on a form marked with the standards.
He then had me talk him through the portfolio quickly. After this he excused me so that he could analyse the portfolio. He again took copious amounts of notes on a form marked with standards.
He then observed my year 8 class and we repeated the process above.
He then met with my mentor and myself. Then with my mentor alone.
He had a lunch meeting with a member of the SLT team about their observations concerning me.
At the end of the day, he told me that I had passed assessment and that I would receive the certificate in about 4 weeks. QTS and the pay raise will become official on the day I receive that certificate.
Note: My mentor was surprised that the assessor had made it clear that I had passed right then and there. She says they normally say they'll let us know their findings in a couple weeks or at most say "I am recommending you for a pass."
It was a bit stressful but easy. The hardest part of this was waiting for the university to make contact and waiting for the appointments.
Good luck all. |
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Congrats Meli! I think I'm going to start my QTS during the summer term. Though I'm not sure since I need to complete 3 credit hours at university to keep my teaching license.
Congrats again, enjoy your pay rise! |
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