Mark Jones

Name: Mark Jones 
Location: Bankhead Academy, Aberdeen
Subject: Religious Studies

I graduated from university in 1998 with a 2/1 in Politics with Church History and promptly went off to work and travel in Australia and New Zealand. On my return I moved to Glasgow, got married, got a mortgage and fell into a career in Commercial Insurance.

This career, despite being rewarding and having great opportunities for career advancement, did not provide the vocational fulfilment I think we all would ideally like. However, financial responsibility prevented me from considering any career change.

It was really finding out that my wife was expecting which made me sit up and realise that I had slipped into a career rather than make a considered choice.

I was faced with a 'now or never' decision to follow up on an enduring interest both in teaching and involvement with young people or continue in Insurance. I made some investigation into the financial implications and decided to take the plunge. I was offered a place at Aberdeen University in July and started in August!

I don't know about you but I want to do something worthwhile with my life. The attraction of being able to contribute to society by helping to educate young people, and also be there to help them character-form and develop views, morals and thought processes is significant. I must sound like an idealist! Don’t get me wrong, I have heard the horror stories and am bound to be challenged and tested over the coming years, but I think I want to be part of something worthwhile – and I firmly believe that teaching is vital.

The PGDE course is a one year intensive training course. There are three blocks of teaching placements at a couple of local schools surrounded by lectures, tutorials and seminars on both subject-specific and general topics.

I found the times at university and going to lectures to be fairly light compared to the placements which can be quite intense. It allowed a lot of time for preparation and planning for the placement which is well needed.

However, the placements are the best training you can get. The support from the university is first class – they get it just right, giving you the little pushes you need, when you need them. With teaching, it’s all about getting up there and just doing it but it’s great to know someone is there if you need them. The management at both schools have been great too, allowing me to shadow lots of different departments including guidance teaching and primary teaching.

Having a family to support, it was great to get the fees paid for me and the guarantee that I will get a job for at least a year after the course helped me to make the decision to take the course. Also, travel expenses are paid for during a placement which takes the worry out of going to a school out with your area.

The prospects in the teaching profession in Scotland are promising as so many teachers are due to retire within the next few years leaving plenty jobs for teaching graduates. The guaranteed probationary year is also a great way to get experience before applying for permanent jobs.

The PGDE course takes a lot of commitment and planning but it's been a very quick and enjoyable year.

I have thought long and hard about teaching and made some sacrifices to return to study. However, I have no regrets and am sure that teaching will provide the vocational fulfilment I have been looking for. Feel free to ask me again in a few years!