University of Worcester - PGCE Secondary 2012-13
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University of Worcester - PGCE Secondary 2012-13Hello there!
Thought I'd start a thread for anyone accepted onto (or with intent to do) a PGCE Secondary course at Worcester this coming September. Met a few friendly folk at the interview, so would like to have further friendly chatter without any of the quivering/nail-biting/sweating and all the rest.
Having been for interview Mon 6th Feb, I've had a place confirmed - pending the nod from the CRB and suitability to teach stuff. The first step to becoming an English teacher has officially been taken. Luverly!
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Re: University of Worcester - PGCE Secondary 2012-13Hello!(Original post by TedFletchJnr)
Hello there!
Thought I'd start a thread for anyone accepted onto (or with intent to do) a PGCE Secondary course at Worcester this coming September. Met a few friendly folk at the interview, so would like to have further friendly chatter without any of the quivering/nail-biting/sweating and all the rest.
Having been for interview Mon 6th Feb, I've had a place confirmed - pending the nod from the CRB and suitability to teach stuff. The first step to becoming an English teacher has officially been taken. Luverly!
I have applied to Worcester and I have an interview on the 27th February for Secondary English. I am not feeling very positive about it, but will try my best!! Big congratulations on getting on the course Is the interview scary? I'm soooo nervous!!!
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Re: University of Worcester - PGCE Secondary 2012-13Ah, good stuff - and thank you(Original post by emansell1)
Hello!
I have applied to Worcester and I have an interview on the 27th February for Secondary English. I am not feeling very positive about it, but will try my best!! Big congratulations on getting on the course Is the interview scary? I'm soooo nervous!!!
You needn't be too worried. Trevor, the English course leader, is a nice chap, but doesn't give much away on the emotional front. He has a book called 'How to be a Brilliant English Teacher' - if you're serious about this, I'd give it a read. Initially I had my reservations about reading a book as it's written by the course leader, but in the end bought it because of the glowing reviews it had received. Really handy for interview prep, and incredibly insightful - I see myself going back to it time and again.
I was fortunate in that my placement school (where I did 3 days of observation) is a partner of the Uni course, so I was given a wealth of advice to take to the interview.
Anything in particular you'd like to know, just ask.
The main thing is that you are open and honest - don't try too hard to be what you think they want you to be. If you know your subject and are essentially a good lad, you'll be fine.
Best of luck mate. -
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Re: University of Worcester - PGCE Secondary 2012-13(Original post by TedFletchJnr)
Ah, good stuff - and thank you
You needn't be too worried. Trevor, the English course leader, is a nice chap, but doesn't give much away on the emotional front. He has a book called 'How to be a Brilliant English Teacher' - if you're serious about this, I'd give it a read. Initially I had my reservations about reading a book as it's written by the course leader, but in the end bought it because of the glowing reviews it had received. Really handy for interview prep, and incredibly insightful - I see myself going back to it time and again.
I was fortunate in that my placement school (where I did 3 days of observation) is a partner of the Uni course, so I was given a wealth of advice to take to the interview.
Anything in particular you'd like to know, just ask.
The main thing is that you are open and honest - don't try too hard to be what you think they want you to be. If you know your subject and are essentially a good lad, you'll be fine.
Best of luck mate.
Thanks very much for the advice! I will definitely get the book as I could do with a few tips for the interview.
Are there lots of other English applicants? Is the written task a test of your writing/grammar skills or knowledge of education? Sorry for the questions - I'm definitely feeling the fear now it is so close.
Cheers mate
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Re: University of Worcester - PGCE Secondary 2012-13Hope I'm allowed to divulge this here. In any case...(Original post by emansell1)
Thanks very much for the advice! I will definitely get the book as I could do with a few tips for the interview.
Are there lots of other English applicants? Is the written task a test of your writing/grammar skills or knowledge of education? Sorry for the questions - I'm definitely feeling the fear now it is so close.
Cheers mate
There were 5 others on my interview day. Fortunately English at Worcester didn't suffer too much with the national PGCE course intake cuts, so there should be plenty of places still going. To be honest, that's the sort of thing you just can't do anything about anyway, so there's little point worrying. Just think about YOUR place - you only need 1! Lulz!
Anyway, I thought the test bit was a nicely rounded affair. It covered general subject knowledge (all pretty standard stuff: nothing too vague or obscure, so no worries - seriously!); obviously your ability to write cohesively is inherent in the act of writing an answer, so that's that one; there were one or two questions encouraging you to reflect on pupils' perspectives and get your teacher's hat on; and there was a bit just asking for your personal reflections on any literary aspect of our voluptuous and fragrant subject specialism! It was all short sharp and swift.
As I said before, don't overdo it. When I went to do my presentation, despite all the preparatory thinking I was doing in anticipation, when it came to the crunch I just went into auto-pilot. The presentation is much more about your delivery and engagement with the audience it seems. You will present to the rest of the applicants as well as your interviewers.
When you see that everyone else applying is just as nervous as you, then you loosen up a bit, and the day ultimately ends up being quite fun. So enjoy!
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Re: University of Worcester - PGCE Secondary 2012-13Thanks for the reply - I had my interview. I think my presentation went ok, but I don't think I have a place as I am an English Language student, and I think they thought my literature knowledge was lacking... Met some lovely people who were all really strong candidates. I expect most of them will get offered a place! Trevor told us that there are only 21 places, so I am not feeling very confident...
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Re: University of Worcester - PGCE Secondary 2012-13You'd be surprised mate, English language is quite sought after in English teachers at the moment. I'm a lit-lang combo lad, and was told that the language element could really work in my favour. They might propose reading some literature works on the curriculum as a condition of entry.
Anyway, I wish you the best of luck. You should find out pretty soon. Let me know how it goes bru. -
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Re: University of Worcester - PGCE Secondary 2012-13Hey Aisha,(Original post by aisha12)
Hey,
I also had my interview for PGCE English at Worcester on 6th February and I have been offered a place
Congratulations! Forgive me, but I can't remember anyone's name from that day. Which was your presentation?
Anyway, I hope you're super stoked (as am I) to have been given a place, I see the course is now full. Yay! Roll on September. -
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Re: University of Worcester - PGCE Secondary 2012-13Hi,(Original post by SioMc)
Hi everyone,
I'll be joining the course for Secondary History and can't seem to find many others in the same boat! Also, anyone else stressing about accommodation options for Sept?
Congratulations for winning a place!
I am feeling a tad stressed about accommodation. I think I'd prefer a flat in the city rather than on campus really.
Have you anything lined up? -
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Re: University of Worcester - PGCE Secondary 2012-13Thanks, congrats to everyone else too(Original post by TedFletchJnr)
Hi,
Congratulations for winning a place!
I am feeling a tad stressed about accommodation. I think I'd prefer a flat in the city rather than on campus really.
Have you anything lined up?
I'm from N.Ireland so looking for accommodation from over here is a nightmare - nothing lined up, I was hoping for some pointers on these message boards! Was thinking about asking the uni for tips, maybe emailing the PGCE education dept to see if they could give advice too. Any help you guys can give me here will be greatly appreciated.
Nonetheless, I'm very excited to get over and start the course - should be interesting! -
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Re: University of Worcester - PGCE Secondary 2012-13Nowhere near sorted yet bru. I think I'm going to have to rumble it last minute: arrange it through a private landlord. Fortunately, I'm not based too far away at the moment anyway. Plus, we don't yet know how much of a trek our placements will be.(Original post by SioMc)
Hey everyone,
Is everyone sorted for accomodation in September?? I'm still struggling
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Re: University of Worcester - PGCE Secondary 2012-13Hi, I've got a place for september too. Looking forward to meeting everyone. I've just moved back from abroad and I had never visited Worcester apart from the interview!! But the city is great.
As far as acc goes, I got my flat through a private landlord and didn't visit it until the day I moved in!! Maybe what you'll have to do SioMc! -
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Re: University of Worcester - PGCE Secondary 2012-13Nice. Where abroad did you just move back from? Looks like I may be taking a similar approach on the accommodation front too. Nowhere lined up yet.(Original post by red123)
Hi, I've got a place for september too. Looking forward to meeting everyone. I've just moved back from abroad and I had never visited Worcester apart from the interview!! But the city is great.
As far as acc goes, I got my flat through a private landlord and didn't visit it until the day I moved in!! Maybe what you'll have to do SioMc!
What subject will you be teaching?
Welcome, by the way.
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Re: University of Worcester - PGCE Secondary 2012-13I've just accepted my offer for a secondary maths PGCE at Worcester. Got curious and started looking for others on the course but there don't seem to be many in the forums. Look forward to meeting you all in september
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Re: University of Worcester - PGCE Secondary 2012-13Hey, nice one! Yeh, the forums aren't exactly teeming with Worcester secondary folk.(Original post by Fliss_D)
I've just accepted my offer for a secondary maths PGCE at Worcester. Got curious and started looking for others on the course but there don't seem to be many in the forums. Look forward to meeting you all in september
Starting to get rather nervous now though.
