Back to school
Helen Gale, 47, from Cardiff, took a leap of faith to pursue her dream career.
Sitting at my desk, I dreamt of being in one of the rooms next door. Overhearing the occasional lesson, with the children so excited to answer the teacher’s next question, I felt like the classroom was calling me.
I wish I could get stuck in, too… I thought.
But instead, I was working as a receptionist at St John’s College, an independent school – it was the closest I’d come to teaching.
Meeting my nowhusband, Simon, 52, while studying French and German at Swansea University, we married after graduation in 1999 and started a family.
We had our son Alex, now 22, just two years later, followed by our daughter Sophie, now 19 – I found myself raising a young family and my career was put on the backburner.
‘I’d love to teach one day,’ I told Simon.
Instead, I had to find work that fit around parent life.
And when a receptionist role came up at a local school, I applied for it.
It was admin-based, but I gained extra experience by stepping in as an exams officer occasionally.
But after seven years, I finally hit a wall.
‘I can’t go any further with this,’ I told Simon.
‘I could tell you needed more from your job,’ he said.
Now, with Alex moved out and Sophie away at university, it was the perfect time to pursue my career. So I seized my chance. Researching online, I discovered the PGCE course at Cardiff Metropolitan University – the teaching qualification I needed.
The university was only a 10-minute drive from my house, so it was perfect.
I started setting aside monthly savings and Simon agreed that he’d reduce our outgoings with me.
We decided to make small sacrifices, such as not paying out for a big family holiday and cutting back on luxuries such as takeaways so I could afford to enrol on the course.
It cost £9,000 which made me hesitate, especially as I didn’t apply for any grants.
Luckily though, my parents were able to help me with the course fees.
And I knew that in the end, the price would be worth it.
I opted for the full-time course instead of part-time.
I wanted to concentrate all my energy on it and Simon’s salary would luckily cover us both for the year.
So, I waved goodbye to my old receptionist job.
My workplace was so supportive, even letting me shadow the teachers.
Starting my application, I was so nervous for the interview – the last one I’d had was in 2016!
But just a day after, in February this year, I was accepted onto the course.
I was over the moon, but I still battled my nerves.
What if I don’t fit in with my classmates? I thought, realising that most of them would be younger than me.
But starting my course in September, I was instantly made to feel welcome.
Although I’m the oldest student on the course – most are in the early twenties – I’ve still joined a Whatsapp group with them.
Starting my placement in a local primary school, I was in my element – despite the placement being unpaid.
The look in the children’s eyes as something I explained finally made sense was so rewarding.
Now, I’m looking forward to starting my second placement, finishing my course in June and getting my first teaching job.
I just want people to know that it’s never too late to pursue your dream career.
It has taken making cutbacks and sacrifices, but I know it’ll be worth it.
Even if that means becoming a student again!