The Student Room Group

PGCE Work Experience

Hi all,

I hope this in the right place!

Basically, I'm close to finishing my application for a secondary PGCE, and I'm a little worried that I don't have enough work experience. I did spend a week in a local secondary school at the beginning of this academic year, but ideally I'd like to get more.

As luck would have it, my mum works at a local primary school, and I've been offered some work experience there. I'm just wondering if such work experience in a primary school would count for anything when applying for a secondary PGCE?

Thanks!
Quite a few institutions ask for you to get some experience in Primary before commencing a Secondary PGCE so you can find out where pupils come from and what they're moving on from. Personally, I think it would be beneficial.
Reply 2
Yep, I agree with above. Spend most of your time in KS2, and looking at how they prepare year 6 for the transition. In your interview you could draw on the experience to explain how it 'clarified' your decision to apply for secondary instead of primary.
Reply 3
Excellent, thank you both!
Original post by Jonny5ok
Excellent, thank you both!


Just an afterthought. Schools are now bringing in teachers as 'transition specialists'. My course specifically trains me for this role but it will certainly be of help for you to work closely with KS2. One of the biggest problems Secondaries are having is how little prepared the Year 7's are for High School. If high school teachers knew more about primary and visa versa everything would be so much better. When I was in a local high school last week I was talking to a pupil who had passed Year 6 SAT's at the standard levels, but was classed as having a Year 4 standard of knowledge of English, Maths and Science when assessed by the high school. More work needs to be done.

Sorry for the rant, I just hate to see pupils left behind.
(edited 12 years ago)
You may be required to do more in a secondary school too (so a conditional offer on more experience), but primary is often necessary (either before or after an offer). Make sure in your PS that you reflect on your experiences well - what you've learned about teaching
Reply 6
Original post by Jonny5ok
Hi all,

I hope this in the right place!

Basically, I'm close to finishing my application for a secondary PGCE, and I'm a little worried that I don't have enough work experience. I did spend a week in a local secondary school at the beginning of this academic year, but ideally I'd like to get more.

As luck would have it, my mum works at a local primary school, and I've been offered some work experience there. I'm just wondering if such work experience in a primary school would count for anything when applying for a secondary PGCE?

Thanks!


I went to the PGCE Secondary open day at Notts Trent and they pretty much said to me that you should get experience in the Key Stages that your PGCE covers, and have been told that I should get relevant secondary school experience.

Just thought it might help :smile:

Quick Reply

Latest