[alexandrajackson.]

Okay, so I've emailed my local/old primary school asking to do a few days a week voluntery work as I want to be a teacher and read that gaining experience in the years up to your PGCE is good. Anyone ever done this? Experiences?

[thatgirlbecky]

I went on work experience at my old primary school in October and it was an amazing experience and such a fun week (although I was pretty tired at the end of it ) considering my age (I'm only doing my GCSEs) I got to do a variety of tasks unlike most of my friends who'd chosen to go to offices and law firms and spent the whole week photocopying and making coffees
it was also nice to catch up with all my old teachers and see how the school had changed since I'd been there I had a great time but I will give you this piece of advice: be prepared to get stuck in sith the kids, I got food colouring all down my top on the first day show that you really want to be there and be enthusiastic about spending time with the kids and the teachers will pick up on this and give you even more fun jobs to do have fun and good luck

EDIT: Although I did this during my GCSEs and you're older than me, I'd imagine our experiences would still be similar

[toronto353]

I'm currently do just that. It is very valuable experience and certainly gives you a lot of experience. I would say be prepared to photocopy/ put up displays at the start because you're going to need to build up the classroom experience. I've done my current 1 day a week for well over one and a half years now and increase the frequency when I am on holiday from university. All that aside, it's an excellent experience and I imagine great preparation for your chosen career (that said I've not got to the stage of applying for a PGCE yet).

[ian111199]

I dont volunteer in a school but in a charity shop, and volunteering will be a major help for you when applying to UCAS.

[Boo_x]

I personally haven't but quite a few of my friends who are going into teaching have. Defintely do as much as you can because PCGEs are so competitive now a days the more experience you have the better.

it might start out just photocopying but with time you could move onto small lesson plans and things to actually teach the children

[~Cookie~]

I have the exact same goal.

I just emailed round my local primary schools - i live in quite a small town so i think this is a big advantage. Only one school got back to me and the head teacher emailed me personally. I phoned up the two teachers who needed help - a p5 and p1 class - and they gave me some days to come in. It is great. I get stuck in - helping with maths, reading groups, spelling groups etc and get a chance to talk to the other teachers at break time.

I was really lucky as they did not ask for any references, a disclourse etc. Good luck and even if a few do not get back to you, do not give up!

[elldeegee]

experience is essential.
when applying for a PGCE they often want to see you've had experience with either side of the cirriculum (i'm doing secondary so they want to see ive had experience with year 6 and alevels) so try and maybe join up to some tutoring sites that way you can also get money out of it too

[annruf@1]

This year I intend to go to uni to do an undergraduate degree in teaching primary - however when I looked at the webpage one of the criteria for applying was at least two weeks previous experience in a a primary class environment. Looking at all these posts it seems I just need to contact primary schools directly, is this correct? any help in this regard would be much appreciated.

[thatgirlbecky]

(Original post by annruf@1)
This year I intend to go to uni to do an undergraduate degree in teaching primary - however when I looked at the webpage one of the criteria for applying was at least two weeks previous experience in a a primary class environment. Looking at all these posts it seems I just need to contact primary schools directly, is this correct? any help in this regard would be much appreciated.

I literally just walked there (its local) and asked the receptionist and she put me in the diary you could write a letter or email but imo, its better to ask in person - they're less likely to forget and it shows you actually care and want to be there good luck!

[annruf@1]

(Original post by thatgirlbecky)
I literally just walked there (its local) and asked the receptionist and she put me in the diary you could write a letter or email but imo, its better to ask in person - they're less likely to forget and it shows you actually care and want to be there good luck!

Thank you for your quick response - I'll now certainly go and try out my luck.

[robo donkey]

I just went to my old one as I still know the Geography department anyway and they were like 'cool' and that was sorted. I think you'll have more success the more direct you are with them, showing up smartly in person shows you want to be there a lot more I'd say, not that there should likely be any problem either way

[helen_0402]

Im also thinking of doing this. Im doing an SVQ Admin course and through total coincidence, my work placement ended up being at my old primary school. I love being back and its such a good atmosphere
For a few years iv been thinking of getting into teaching but now iv made my mind up that this is what i want to do.
Iv been a bit scared of asking to volunteer, as im a admin work placement student, i hope they don't say no